MPN was engaged to design structural works for an extension to the centre, which involved the building of a new composite steel and concrete retail floor over an existing metal deck roof and an extension to the car park, under the neighbouring golf course. The existing portal frame columns were strengthened and extended to form the new roof. Intermediate columns were lowered beside the existing portal frame rafters to support the new retail level at each grid. Lateral stability against wind and earthquake forces was provided by strengthening the existing portal frames in one direction and additional cross bracing in the other direction. Importantly, trading continued in the existing retail areas while the new extension was constructed.
Westfield operated an existing shopping centre at Hornsby prior to acquiring the adjacent Northgate Shopping Centre in March 1997, as part of a strategy to create a single, integrated retail and leisure complex. Following the closure and demolition of both shopping centres in January 2000, MPN delivered the structural design and engineering for the expansion and reconstruction works, integrating both sites into one continuous facility through new underground connections and a structural sky bridge. The redeveloped centre was delivered in five stages between October 2000 and early 2002, with the last being the delivery a 10-screen Greater Union cinema complex.
Westfield Bondi is regarded as one of the Australia’s most iconic shopping centres. The site was an amalgamation of three former retail centres covering 3.1 hectares either side of Oxford Street; a major shopping corridor under the control of two different Council Authorities. The new centre has four levels of basement carpark, five to six levels of retail and leisure, with another four levels of carpark over. There is a two-level glazed skybridge spanning Oxford Street and a 70m wide tunnel underneath linking the sites with retail and car parking. Excavation depths of up to 28m (and within 6m of the underground rail line), full and partial demolition of the existing structures as well as the new building structure, resulted in a challenging construction sequence especially considering the fast track nature of the project. [read more]
Developed over a decade, the award-winning Pacific Place precinct at Chatswood was delivered across five stages including the towers Altura, Cambridge, Epica, B2E and Era. Together they form a major mixed-use development adjacent to and above the railway corridor. MPN provided a full suite of structural design and on-site engineering services for the project, which comprises three residential high-rise towers and four integrated medium-rise apartment buildings. The 25 and 35 storey towers utilised post-tensioned flat-plate floor systems to achieve 3-4 day concrete pour cycles, with load-bearing precast walls used to enhance structural efficiency and finish quality.
With the project starting in 2003, Westfield London opened in 2008 and was the first mixed-use retail, dining, leisure, entertainment, office and residential destination in the UK, and remains the largest shopping destination in Europe. Since opening MPN has been involved in numerous internal alterations and additions, including reconfiguration of specific parts of the structure for new tenants, various commercialisation activities and rooftop extensions. [read more]
The Charles Parsons Building, an historic industrial warehouse, was adapted for commercial use through targeted structural upgrades, rectification works and alterations. MPN led the structural engineering for the adaptive reuse, working within the constraints of the existing structure to meet contemporary commercial requirements and current design standards. The project reflects MPN’s recognised leadership in adaptive reuse, delivering fit-for-purpose outcomes through considered structural intervention. [read more]