Developer: Fisher & Paykel
Architect: RTA Studio
Contractor: Naylor  Love
Location: Penrose, Auckland
Service Type: Facade Engineering
 
Fisher & Paykel Appliances' upcoming global headquarters relocation to Great South Road in Penrose marks a significant departure from its longstanding presence at the East Tāmaki campus, which it shared with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for over 50 years. The new 22,780m2 site is meticulously designed, comprising distinct structures to cater to specific functions. The complex includes a 'home' building, designated for administration, research, design, and product development. Additionally, there is a 'shed' building, earmarked for appliance prototype laboratories, and a 'garage' building allocated for employee vehicle parking and end-of-trip facilities. A focal point of convergence within the project is the 788m2 social kitchen, strategically positioned at the intersection of the 'home' and 'shed' structures.

The 'Home' building, serving as the primary office space, is characterized by its predominant use of timber construction, aligning with a low-carbon objective encompassing both embodied and operational carbon considerations. This timber office building features a raised suspended ground floor and two to three upper levels. Notably, its plan exhibits an unconventional shape, necessitating the introduction of movement gaps that partition the building into four distinct structures. This design choice is driven by the imperative to accommodate thermal movement and seismic considerations.

The structural configuration of the 'Home' building is anchored in a longitudinal load-bearing diagrid structure along the façades. Transversely, the building incorporates timber moment frames spanning its width. The envisaged design life for the structure is set at 50 years, underscoring a commitment to enduring functionality and sustainability in line with contemporary architectural and engineering standards.

DESIGN ENGINEERS was engaged by client INSOL to provide louvre facade engineering design. Our louvre facade system engineering design involves a comprehensive approach to ensure the structure is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, durable, and compliant with safety standards. DESIGN ENGINEERS conduct a structural analysis to determine the loads (wind, dead loads) that the louvre system will experience. This includes both static and dynamic loads. DESIGN ENGINEERS assist to choose materials for louvre blades and supporting structures that provide the necessary strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Common materials include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or composite materials. DESIGN ENGINEERS assist to design robust connection details to ensure the louvre blades are securely attached to the supporting structure. This includes considerations for expansion and contraction due to temperature variations. Perform wind load calculations to assess the impact of wind forces on the louvre system. This involves considering factors such as wind direction, wind speed, and the shape of the louvre blades. Design the structural support system, including framing and mounting elements, to withstand the calculated loads and ensure stability over the lifespan of the facade. Due to large or complex louvre designs, we conduct dynamic analysis to assess how the louvres will respond to wind-induced vibrations and ensure structural stability. Fisher & Paykel project's Louvre blades may experience thermal expansion and contraction. Design movement joints and expansion details to accommodate these temperature-related changes without compromising structural integrity. DESIGN ENGINEERS also assist to specify appropriate finishes and coatings for the louvre materials to enhance durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appearance. Design the louvre system with accessibility in mind for maintenance purposes. Our engineering design include ensure that components can be easily accessed and that maintenance activities do not compromise safety. DESGIN ENGINEERS assist to prepare detailed engineering drawings and documentation, including specifications and installation instructions, to guide the fabrication and installation processes. DESIGN ENGINEERS collaborate among architects, structural engineers, and facade specialists for achieving a well-integrated and functional louvre facade design.