Te Wao Nui Child Health Service
Te Wao Nui Child Health Service
Wellington, New Zealand
About the Project
Te Wao Nui Child Health Service and Hospital is a pioneering healthcare facility located in Wellington, New Zealand. Developed by the Wellington Children’s Hospital Charity Trust, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet the needs of approximately 30,000 young patients annually. It boasts over 150 beds, two therapeutic gyms, and an array of specialised medical services including Ophthalmology, ENT, Craniofacial, and Orthopaedics.
Challenge
A major design challenge for this project involved creating a link bridge between two of the hospital buildings, both being situated on isolator bearings to manage seismic activity. The bridge needed to seamlessly connect the two facilities while addressing the high seismic risk of the Wellington Fault Line and constant shifting in the two connected buildings. The design had to ensure structural integrity and safety of the structure while accommodating four-way movement in both North-South and East-West directions, all while maintaining the aesthetic coherence of the building.
Another goal was to ensure longevity of the internal structure of the building throughout high-traffic areas, especially where there was considerable movement of wheelchairs, beds and hospital equipment. Furthermore, the importance of meeting the stringent safety and hygiene standards was also a major factor.
Solution
CS supplied a full suite of Acrovyn Wall Protection to the hospital to ensure longevity of its interiors. Acrovyn Wall Protection Sheets, Corner Guards, Bed Bumpers and Kickplates were all supplied and installed on the project to enhance durability throughout the hospital without compromising on aesthetics. CS Peditred Entrance Matting was also supplied and installed, the ideal solution for high traffic areas. The entryway grids enhance traction and scrape shoes to trap large amounts of dirt, mud etc and are a perfect solution for maintaining a clean and hygienic environment.
Addressing the seismic risks posed by building on the Wellington Fault Line required specialised solutions. Construction Specialties delivered a comprehensive supply and installation solution to meet these rigorous demands. The project employed advanced expansion joint systems designed for multi-directional movement. Key products included the XLS Series variants XLS-6300 and XLS-3200, which feature flush exterior wall panels to accommodate horizontal banding during seismic events. The XLS Series are unique designs with the XLS-6300 allowing up to 1.6m of gap and the XLS-3200 allowing up to 800mm, making them the perfect partner for seismic design. Additionally, the MACC system was utilised to allow up to 100% movement in four directions, allowing full access between two base-isolated structures. The MARR system was also implemented to provide multi-axis roof coverage capable of spanning large joint openings.
The culmination of these seismic solutions was the construction of a minor engineering marvel in the form of a sky walk that is not only wholly resistant to seismic disruptions, but also seamlessly blends into the aesthetic style of the greater hospital structure.
