With a level of finish similar to a hotel, Summerset St Johns provides a peaceful, yet active lifestyle for retirees seeking a sense of community. Spanning between three to eight levels and encompassing a range of apartment sizes and facilities, it was paramount that this development be built to a high level of quality and be completed on time.
The structural programme was something of a team effort, with AXXIS® and partner companies LGSC Ltd and Steel-It brought onto the project to initially meet the challenges of an unconventional roof structure. As architectural steel framing specialists, LGSC Ltd completed design work for the upper floors and roof, and the steel framing was fabricated by Steelit, using AXXIS® steel, made by New Zealand Steel.
“The trusses are quite unique,” explains LGSC Ltd’s Gordon Barratt. “They span over a wide area with a pitch angle that would have been difficult to achieve in timber. Because of the ceiling heights, and it’s also quite a high wind zone, there’s a lot of extra structure that we don’t typically have on a three-story building.”
The lightweight nature of the steel, was a real benefit for the project, also allowing it to be constructed quickly through various weather conditions. This was especially helpful when Auckland experienced an unusually high rainfall event, which forced all work to be halted for a period of time. If timber framing had been used, this would have caused more significant delays as the contractors would have had to have waited for the timber to dry out before resuming work. The use of steel frames meant they were able to start work again once the severe weather had passed.
“The weather is always a factor that can affect the programme and on occasion quality,” says Site Manager Marcia Thomsen. “Steel framing eliminates the pre-line conundrum of a wet product. Linings both externally and internally have been able to progress with ease.”
On site, construction was made seamless by a smart tracking system, which allowed the team to scan codes to locate the trusses, walls and hardware they needed for any stage of the project. This system also runs parallel with stock control, sending alerts to the suppliers when screws and hold-downs run low, allowing reorders to be made automatically without halting progress on site. Pre-loading
the upper floors with packs of steel frames provided an efficiency for the workflow of installation and a minimal dependence upon cranage, explains Marcia.
“AXXIS® steel framing has provided a high degree of consistency on what has been a multi-faceted project. Its use across several buildings and build phases provided opportunity for increased efficiency as every zone was constructed. Also, its lightweight nature and stability offered easy installation for the carpentry teams, which had real advantages for our structure.”
In the factory, the steel frames are produced to an exacting level of accuracy, meaning it shows up on site ready to go without needing any adjustments. It also won’t swell, warp or twist if left to rest between construction stages and can take wide spans without sagging. All in all, the project required over 225 tonnes of steel to be delivered to Auckland from the manufacturer in Kapiti, a process made easier by its lightweight nature.
As an infinitely recyclable product, steel contributes to the circular economy and increases the sustainability credentials of the project. Important for vulnerable residents, AXXIS® steel also holds the National Asthma Council Sensitive Choice seal of approval, as it doesn’t support the growth of mould or rot.
With its 50-year durability statement and excellent fire resistance and seismic performance, the steadfast steel framing of these buildings helps to provide a safe, healthy environment for its residents to enjoy their later years.
