Te Ara Hihiko was the name given to the structure housing the College of Creative Arts which can be broadly translated into ‘a pathway to creativity’ and creativity in timber engineering was exactly what the use of Pres-Lam was able to supply. Unique in its application of the Pres-Lam structural system the building uses the post-tensioning to provide not only the connections between the beams and columns but also from the columns to the foundations and to resist gravity loading.

Exposed for all to see the use of post-tensioned cables to support flooring loads combined with long span timber-concrete-composite floors created open spaces while maintaining timbers warmth where students can not only learn and create but meet, chat and work.

Testing of key building components showed the robustness of the seismic components by subjecting them to forces well beyond what would be expected in a design earthquake. Delivered on time and under budget, the CoCA building exemplifies creativity combined with technology and innovation.

Image 1 (top): Exterior view.
Image 2 (right): Cladding detail.
Image 3 (below): Interior view.