The Living Pā project team meet with SARC331 students and staff to discuss the project’s philosophies and progress. From our Murphy Annex, Level 6 position we had a near corporate box view of the site.

The SARC331 class are embarking on an assignment that pairs an earlier theory assignment with praxis. Working in teams, students must propose a multi-floored, mixed-use development that complies with at least four of the Living Building Challenge petals, with emphasis on the water, energy and materials petals.  Kia ū!

In this afternoon session, Te Herenga Waka and L.T. McGuinness team enjoyed the student’s comments and questions.  For example, the project managers were asked if the steel plinths required for seismic strengthening or for additional height that they add.  The response, height. The manufactures plant is limited to 12-meter LVL components, and the steel plinths were added as a connector to achieve a level datum across the site. The plinths are not required as a part of the seismic design, as this is achieved with a series of steel bars that joining the vertical and horizontal members together.

Another student asked about the nature of the compliance challenges. The project managers response, the closed-loop water system has been identified as the most difficult for local consenting authorities, however, alternative building compliance pathways were also required for structure, fire and the façade.

Our thanks for Dr José R. Núñez Collado, Lecturer in Architecture, for making the connection.

Making the most of the corporate box-like view from Murphy Annex building.