“Imagine a world where engineers collaborate seamlessly.” That vision comes to life right here at Engineering 405. This building is part of the University of Auckland’s City Campus. It is a state-of-the-art facility designed to empower future engineers.
Engineering 405 unites five engineering departments. For the first time in twenty years, they share a building. This unlocks new learning pathways and research innovation. It also transforms the student experience.
This 12-story building spans 32,000 square meters. The project included the refurbishment of neighboring structures. This created an interconnected engineering precinct.
Inside Engineering 405, you’ll find unparalleled laboratory spaces. These labs offer cutting-edge capability and resilience. There are over 50 modular teaching and research labs. These labs easily adapt to changing research programs and technologies. The building also hosts facilities for post-graduate research and staff collaboration. Larger study and breakout areas encourage interaction.
The design of Engineering 405 embodies sustainability at all levels. It boasts advanced seismic design and energy efficiency. The building also focuses on material efficiency. These features lower maintenance costs. They provide long-term flexibility and adaptability.
Hawkins began working on-site in June 2017. An existing six-story building was demolished. The construction team then worked in a unique sequence. They built three floors of steel structure. Then, they poured one floor. By skipping floors and infilling later, they worked in two places at once. This helped them achieve the project outcomes.
At its peak, the site buzzed with activity. Between 400 and 500 people worked here each day. Maintaining a strong health and safety culture was essential. This was crucial for those on the job, as well as staff and students in the adjoining buildings.
Integrating services with existing buildings was a challenge. The fire alarm systems differed significantly. It took considerable problem-solving to integrate them. The team also replaced two existing chillers with three new ones. This was all done while maintaining comfort in the existing building.
BIM, or Building Information Management, played a key role. It was used right from the pre-design phase. The team created a digital twin of the building in three dimensions. This allowed them to identify clashes and solve problems. As a result, there was less rework and fewer materials used.
The University needed the building ready for the start of the academic year. The project team successfully achieved Project Completion before Christmas 2019. The building was ready for the University to occupy in 2020. The B405 Faculty of Engineering Building is also known as Te Herenga Mātai Pūkaha. It stands as a testament to collaboration and innovation.