Off-Site Manufacturing, On-Site Solutions: Honouring Heritage While Meeting Modern Needs
Adelaide is home to many of Australia’s most beautiful heritage buildings, and as constructors working in and around these iconic structures, we have a responsibility to respect and maintain their history.
One of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of heritage work is the integration of new facilities into existing buildings, thoughtfully designed to meet the requirements of statutory authorities and the expectations of our clients.
Sarah has a long-standing relationship with the University of Adelaide, and recently we were engaged to design and construct a disability-compliant amenities block adjacent to its most iconic building – the beautifully imposing Bonython Hall facing North Terrace. Completed in 1936, Bonython Hall is the University’s main ceremonial building and provides a grand venue for public events.
While Sarah’s experience working in and around heritage buildings includes redevelopments at St Peter’s College, Wilderness School and the University of Adelaide, this project presented a unique set of technical, safety and logistical challenges.
This blog explores the unique modular design and construction innovations developed by Sarah to deliver this challenging project in a manner than has exceeded the expectations of the university community.
Planning for success
The building’s new disability compliant amenities were to be constructed on land only four-metres wide and in immediate adjacency to a load-rated plaza, with a requirement for completion in four months – in time for the University’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Materials for both external and internal design were required to reference the older building, and to meet the University’s Design Standards and Heritage SA’s planning approval requirements.
Working collaboratively with the University’s Infrastructure Branch, it was determined that Sarah’s modular design, manufacturing and installation capability was ideally suited to a safe, high-quality, fit-for-purpose, compliant and integrated solution.
Sarah’s Project Manager Daniel Ross led the planning and programming processes, in conjunction with University of Adelaide Project Manager, Etienny Trindade and Manager Capital Projects Delivery, James Rivett. Mr Ross explains:
“Given the constraints of the site and the accelerated timeframe, a modular solution was ideal as we could design and fabricate the structure while building and heritage approvals were being finalised, and the footings were prepared.”
“We can see a vast range of future applications across the industry, particularly when working within important heritage assets.”
“Sarah excels at designing and building modular solutions that look and feel like in-situ structures, and challenge the perception of modular components as temporary, or less functional, buildings.”
Daniel Ross – Project Manager, Sarah Constructions
Construction Excellence within a Challenging Environment
With the modular design approved and under construction in Sarah’s warehouse, the team commenced planning for installation within the busy operational campus.
The four-metre-wide site and load restrictions on the plaza slab precluded the use of normal heavy construction equipment such as piling rigs and cranes, and Sarah’s team modified the footing design and the steel substructure components to make use of alternative, smaller equipment.
However, the real challenge would be lifting the 10-tonne modules over the 57-metre-high Hall, and into place on the opposite side of the building.
University of Adelaide Project Manager, Etienny Trindade, explains the collaborative approach required to safely manage delivery and installation.
“This project is one of the most complex undertaken on the North Terrace campus, and certainly the largest lift performed to date. Sarah’s team worked with us and the lift contractor to complete comprehensive risk assessments, focused on the safety of the large team working on the day. The day of the lift was exciting for everyone and was completed without incident.”
“Modular solutions reduce the construction footprint and the time required on site, and we have appreciated Sarah’s proactive approach to minimising construction impacts on our staff and students.”
In all, the modular units were constructed off-site in 25 days, transported to site and placed in one day, and installed and commissioned in just ten days.
“This project has been characterised by a genuine commitment to working together towards the best solutions, not only to the technical challenges, but to managing disruption to the university community.”
Etienny Trindade – Project Manager, University of Adelaide
Respectful and Functional Outcomes
The new amenities are a seamless addition to the much-loved building and were handed over to the University in time for multiple 150th anniversary functions hosted in Bonython Hall.
The new timber-clad structure reflects characteristics of the Hall, including the original windows and window frames, and from North Terrace is concealed behind a beautiful stone wall, constructed from local sandstone to mirror the Hall’s exterior.
Inside, the high-end materials and finishes complement the status of Bonython Hall as one of Adelaide’s most important buildings.
“Not only has Sarah’s solution provided the University with compliant, high-quality, functional amenities, but it has transformed the building’s eastern entrance and enhanced the exterior of the Hall,” said Ms Trindade.
Etienny Trindade says, “this project is an excellent example of how modular technologies and methodologies are being used by clever builders to construct high-end permanent buildings. Modular solutions are not only efficient to deliver and reduce disruption on site, but also produce less construction waste, and as a client, it is important to us that our projects are sustainable and environmentally responsible.”
“Sarah is challenging industry and community perceptions around modular solutions, and this project is an excellent example of how new technologies can enhance sensitive heritage assets.”
Etienny Trindade – Project Manager, University of Adelaide
