Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand has a world-first in its post-tensioned timber seismic frame building. Source: Timberbiz
The new creative arts building – Te Ara Hihiko, which will be officially opened tomorrow (20 June), was developed to be resilient to earthquakes. It has been completed ahead of time and under budget according to a video produced by the university on its construction.
The university’s website has the video that also features Athfield Architects, Dunning Thornton Consultants (engineers) and Arrow International (project managers) talking about the innovative construction methods employed.
The building’s advanced seismic engineering will make it one of the most resilient buildings in the city. It is the first in the world to use a post-tensioned timber seismic frame, which flexes like a push-puppet toy during earthquakes.
In production testing, the key structural features of the building were found to withstand ground shaking and acceleration greater than that experienced in the Christchurch February 2011 earthquake.
It has already attracted considerable attention in the construction sector, particularly for its seismic properties, innovative construction methods, and extensive use of laminated veneer lumber.
