Mixed use development combines 21 level office tower, heritage façade retention and an underground challenge for RMD Australia.
Situated right at the heart of the central business district, CBD in Perth, the $550 million landmark Raine Square mixed used development, is testament to Western Australia’s booming economy. It is being built by Salta Constructions and consists of three basement car park levels of 21,000m2 and 14,000m2 of retail precinct with various tenancies, a podium area and a 21 level 48,000m2 office tower for Saracen Property Group.
The development also incorporates two existing hotels and heritage facades, as well as providing an underground link to Perth’s Metrorail station on William Street. Due for completion in 2010 the project is set to transform an important part of the city
With concrete forming the key building material for the project, a whole range of equipment from RMD Australia was utilised by main concrete works contractor Gallagher Concrete Pty Ltd. Combining safety and quality with speed of erection, RMD engineers were faced with developing systems that could be used in a range of suspended slab applications varying from strutting heights of 2.7 metres up to 16 metres.
Commenting on the equipment used and the project itself, Phil Burrows, Marketing Manager for RMD Australia said: “Due to the scale of the project our engineers had to design solutions that used a number of our products and systems including our Airodek Panel and Deck Beam soffit system, Alshor Plus aluminum shoring system, and Rapidshor steel shoring system.
“By giving Gallagher Concrete Pty Ltd a number of options and alternatives to consider the client team were able to match a solution to individual parts of the project. For the more typical floors they opted to utilize our Airodek Panels, Deck Beams, Dropheads and Alshor Plus shoring.
“The reasons for this reflected the speed at which the combination of products was able to be assembled and dismantled. Using our Alshor Plus quick strip system, that allows the Airodek Panels and Deck Beams to be removed during the initial stages of curing, whilst the Dropheads and Alshor Plus remain supporting the concrete slab, was particularly attractive to the client team.
“Fundamentally the early removal of the Airodek Panels and Dropheads enabled the erection team to recycle the equipment on to the next typical floor, thus reducing the total amount of equipment required and thereby reducing the client’s construction costs. In a similar fashion the team recognised that it was both economical and practical to use Airodek Panels on props for the construction of the lower floors, as the speed of erection and simplicity of striking was extremely cost effective.
“Most importantly Gallagher are particularly pleased with the use of these products because they met their requirements of being safe for their workers and labour efficient in the building and commercial sectors in which they operate.”
In addition to the concrete works the overall development includes an integrated fit out for HBOS’s Bank West, who are the major tenant and have the naming rights for the building. It is projected that they will have up to 3,500 people working throughout the twenty one levels.
Phil continued: “It is always great to be involved in large scale projects of this kind, particularly when you know that what you are creating a centre piece structure that will also be a leading example of green construction incorporating a 4 star Green Star Rating and a 4.5 star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating.
“Visitors to the site will also be able to benefit from interesting and unique building features such as the use of twin lifts within the building - the first of their kind in Australia. These Twin lifts, which can travel in either the same or opposing direction within the one lift shaft, will reduce the lift shaft size by half and increase the net lettable area of the building.”
