The challenge of providing flexibility, energy efficiency and maximising space resulted in incorporating several innovative technical solutions into the project.
SKYCITY Convention Centre is one of the largest open conferencing and banqueting facilities in Auckland. Seating up to 1500 people in a 1300m2 unpillared main conference room it has a further 1050m2 of exhibition space on the floor below. It connects to the original SKYCITY complex via two glazed bridges spanning Federal Street.
Beca was engaged as engineering consultant to this landmark project, and faced the challenge of designing a structure and building services that aimed to satisfy the requirements of flexibility, energy efficiency and maximising space. A number of technical solutions were incorporated into the project.
- An integrated application of steel and concrete was used for the long-span trusses over the main conference room, providing an extensive column free space
- A large roof truss and post tensioning system was designed so that a column could be removed to create an open truck dock. Six concrete floors 'hang' from this truss
- Problems associated with artificial smoke were addressed by using a combination of optimal and CO smoke detectors
- Advanced fire modelling techniques to assist in optimising the fire egress design.
Energy efficiency was increased through advanced lighting design techniques. The air conditioning system makes extensive use of outdoor air (free cooling) at night and in the winter. This, combined with the innovative structural solutions, resulted in an impressive building with reduced operating and maintenance costs.