The Northern NSW Schools Project involved upgrades to six public schools in Northern NSW including Pottsville Beach, Byron Bay, Wauchope, Lennox Heads, Old Bar and Coffs Harbour. The project was one of the stages of redevelopment for NSW public schools undertaken by NSW Department of Education – School Infrastructure. Bligh Tanner provided structural and civil engineering services for the projects, which included refurbishment and extensions to existing facilities and a new two storey building at each school. Bligh Tanner delivered the structural and civil design of the six schools alongside Conrad Gargett, and through to practical completion for four of the six schools completed between 2019 and 2020.
The upgrades at each site provide modern and flexible teaching spaces to suit the needs of the students and the local community. Engineering challenges included difficult site conditions at each site, large columns free zones and coordination of complex bespoke façade systems for the new buildings. Most sites required a fully suspended piled foundation system to found below the loose sandy soils typical of the coastal region.
Each new building incorporated large column free zones to promote flexible learning areas across the new teaching spaces. This required consideration early in the design process to provide the most efficient structural systems to suit large spans, while considering the capacity of the local industry at each site to support the proposed construction methodology. The new two storey building at each school also included a bespoke external sun shading façade as part of the building design, which was unique and tailored to each school. The external façade systems were cantilevered off the main structure and involved detailed coordination with the architectural intent and the primary structure.
Client | Department of Education, NSW |
"This was a really important project for Lat27 and Bligh Tanner’s collaborative approach to working with us to deliver an outstanding new educational spine for UQ Gatton’s campus was invaluable. The civil and structural team at Bligh Tanner helped us create a new piece of public realm where a sensitive, minimal and seamless outcome was fundamental to the success of the project. The unseen elements of their designs are testament to how smart engineers can provide expertise that complements the presentation and functionality of these projects."
"You have normal engineers, and then you have Bligh Tanner. They enjoy being challenged. They are the “architect’s engineer”."
"The benefit of working with Bligh Tanner is the attention you receive from their senior people and their continuity through the project. Their attitude, responsiveness and rigour of documentation, distinguishes them."
"Bligh Tanner's structural design processes ensured project cost and operational requirements were achieved while maintaining the Architect's aesthetic parameters for the buildings structural elements. The department have found Bligh Tanner's project engineers to be professional and proactive at all stages of the procurement of the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre and the Gold Coast Suns Administration and Training Facility."
"I have been thoroughly impressed by Bligh Tanner's commitment to collaborating with multiple stakeholders during the delivery of the Advancing Queensland Schools programme of works. Bligh Tanner’s expertise in education work has proven to add value toward successfully addressing DET Standards and quickly resolving technical issues in a coordinated manner. Bligh Tanner’s easy to read 2D and 3D documentation allowed for high levels of collaboration among stakeholder’s, quick identification of value-for-money solutions and achievement of the project objectives on time."
"Since 2013 we have been working with Bligh Tanner on a variety of projects. They are our now our first point of call for all Structural matters. The Bligh Tanner team have always demonstrated an understanding of the challenges associated with retail projects. They have been flexible, and have proved a willingness to work with the whole project team to find the best outcome for the project."
"Bligh Tanner’s research, testing guidance, analysis, and can-do attitude, has enabled Ozone Panel to develop appropriate technical information and guidance to confidently share with our clients, be it builders, building surveyors or structural engineers. The team at Bligh Tanner are passionate about what they do, great to work with and I have no hesitation in recommending Bligh Tanner for your next project. "
"Our site project staff and myself have worked with Paul and his team, and have found they are flexible and adaptable in their approach to engineering issues and solutions. We find them to be easy to work with, very approachable and proactive in assisting with any site issues encountered."