Our team provided Structural Engineering and Building Physics services for a 1500m2 central facility development for this residential retirement community. The facility consists of 2 buildings and incorporates a bar and games room, community hall, healthcare facilities, and a heated indoor swimming pool.
Traditional Brisbane, or ‘Queenslander’ residential construction is light-weight but with negligible insulation against high summer temperatures (and even zero-degree winter temperatures in the south of the state). Our building physics modelling of these structures provided Stockland with an appreciation of the benefits in providing insulation levels in excess of current requirements as nominated in the Building Code of Australia. Whilst only a marginal (financial) benefit was apparent with respect to the ongoing operation of mechanical plant, a significant reduction in initial capital cost for plant was demonstrated.
Whilst a ‘residential’ scale of construction was documented for the majority of the structure in order to maximise competitive tendering opportunities, several aspects of the development required bespoke structural solutions. The community or ‘town hall’ envelope is supported by a steel portal frame with north-lighting and acoustic panelling. Long-span engineered timber beams were employed for the enclosed pool area - to support of architectural expressions and accommodate the aggressive exposure environment. Renewable, low-strength timber framing were also specified where possible to support Green Leaf Engineers’ sustainability paradigm.
