Given its prolific project portfolio, Thinc was appointed to project manage the $215 million restoration of one of Brisbane’s strongest symbols, the iconic City Hall. Construction of Brisbane’s famous City of the original building to ensure this issue Hall originally started in 1920 and it was did not impede the pace of construction. officially opened in 1930. Over the years, By seeking contractor input early on in the many of the building’s heritage elements design process, the firm also helped to ensure fell into serious disrepair and so in 2009, the design was feasible, thereby minimising Brisbane City Council commenced an potential construction risks. ambitious $215 million restoration program. The council aimed to return City Hall to The project’s size and complexity meant its former glory and also create a state-of- that work had to be scheduled with care. the-art performance and function space for The contracted refurbishment works were the community to enjoy. therefore split into two stages. Stage one involved the replacement of sprinkler Thinc - a leading, independent management protection in the building’s dome, placement consultancy, specialising in projects – was of soundproofing insulation in the dome, appointed to project manage this complex replacement of wooden walkways in the PROJECT MANAGEMENT : Thinc restoration, handling all aspects of the works dome with aluminium walkways, repairs and MANAGING CONTRACTOR : Abigroup on behalf of the client. structural improvement of the balcony. PROJECT VALUE : $215 Million COMPLETION : March 2013 Due to the social and historical significance Stage two involved the improvement of the ARCHITECTS : Tanner Kibble Denton and GHD of the building, Thinc, in collaboration with fire safety measures throughout the remainder Brisbane City Council, had to successfully of the building, removal of redundant engage and manage a whole range of or overloaded floor slabs and surfaces, stakeholders throughout the project. Key replacement of all existing services and stakeholder groups included those anxious to finishes, replacement of he lifts, construction RESTORING BRISBANE'S see that the requirements of the Queensland of a new commercial kitchen below the Heritage Act were met and also members of auditorium floor and reinforcement of the public, who were generally very excited concrete columns and beams. HISTORIC CITY HALL about the project. The result is a world-class example of In response, Thinc’s Queensland State sustainability in a high profile, much-used and Local Government team adopted a public facility that retains its period appeal. transparent engaging and collaborative Commenting on the project, Thinc’s David approach from the outset, working closely Hudson, who led the project team, said: with all key stakeholders and communicating regularly. In particular, the team worked “It’s been a real privilege to have handled the with Brisbane City Council to ensure the restoration of Brisbane City Hall. The project refurbished building design successfully has been challenging but very rewarding. At rectified the non-compliance issues the over 80 years old, it’s one of the city’s iconic original building presented, while also buildings, so we’re all really proud to have protecting its heritage features. played a vital role in its revival.” Thinc adopted an innovative approach to procurement in order to deliver cost effective For more information contact Thinc, Level 7, and time efficient results. The team also 333 Ann Street, Brisbane QLD 4001, GPO Box worked hard to overcome the challenges posed 10214, phone 07 3221 8425, email: thincqld@ by the poor quality of the built documentation thinc.com.au, website: www.thinc.com.au 162 QLD PROJECT FEATURE BRISBANE CITY HALL RESTORATION AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION REVIEW WWW.ANCR.COM.AU QLD PROJECT FEATURE BRISBANE CITY HALL RESTORATION 163 VISIBLE RESultS DesignStage was commissioned as theatre Three principal staff worked collaboratively consultants and to provide specialist on the Brisbane City Hall project with Phil lighting and audiovisual design services Viney (Managing Director) being responsible for the Brisbane City Hall upgrade. for the overall project design. In addition to the management of the project, Phil provided Brisbane City Hall is an excellent example the theatre planning and design for the of the type of projects DesignStage like to complex stage machinery and theatre systems work on. It included their primary areas of for the Main Auditorium and the Ithaca expertise in theatre consulting, theatre systems, Auditorium, including the stage lighting audiovisual and specialist lighting design – all systems, audiovisual infrastructure, stage in a highly visible and challenging heritage communications and control systems. project with multiple stakeholders. It’s the type of project where the DesignStage team were Ian Laird (Director) provided the detailed AV truly able to make a positive difference. and stage lighting design for all other function spaces, the Museum of Brisbane (MoB), A difficult project in many ways but one community areas and civic areas such as the where DesignStage used their extensive Council Chambers. industry experience to overcome the challenges and ensure a positive outcome was James Sparks (Senior Designer) was achieved. Some complex elements included: predominantly responsible for the specialist lighting design to the most difficult areas in the • The LED ceiling was methodically building, being the main auditorium, including modelled and prototyped to ensure an the LED ceiling, the Ithaca auditorium and the excellent result, balancing the competing internal courtyards. requirements of acoustic transparency and visual diffusion of the LEDs. Currently DesignStage are providing full service lighting, theatre audiovisual design consultancy • There were issues with integrating for a new 1000 seat auditorium for St Peter’s significant systems into the fabric of such Lutheran College at Indooroopilly in QLD. an important heritage building. They are also working on a refurbishment of another City Hall in Lismore NSW, both with • The intelligent, load-sensing, motorised Phillips Smith Conwell Architects. rigging systems in the auditorium were programmed to ensure the original DesignStage have an impressive portfolio that structural trusses over the auditorium could includes being contracted as the audiovisual not be overloaded. consultants for the recently completed $600M Brisbane Courts project and the new Grey DesignStage are dedicated consultants Street building for the Brisbane Convention & providing specialist expertise in the fields Exhibition Centre, which includes 2 auditoria, of audiovisual, theatre services and lighting 3 triple divisible function spaces, a ballroom design. They focus on projects that require a and ancillary support areas. Other current creative and technically proficient approach projects include a new sound system for the and therefore, work on a large variety of QPAC Concert Hall, new 5 star function projects in areas such as theatres and the arts, rooms, restaurant and bars for the Stamford all levels of government, community buildings, Plaza Hotel in Brisbane, the Neuroscience hospitality, commercial projects, University Research Australia building at the Prince of facilities and even private residences. Wales Hospital in Sydney and a technical refurbishment of the Seymour Centre With offices in Brisbane and Sydney, theatres at the University of Sydney. DesignStage have been operating for almost 10 years. The company is an independent design For more information contact DesignStage consultancy with no commercial affiliations Pty Ltd Brisbane, 66/283 Given Terrace with suppliers, contractors, integrators or Paddington QLD 4064, phone 07 3367 2234, operators – their designs are focused on the email: [email protected] best outcomes for their clients. They have successfully completed hundreds of projects Sydney, 223/20 Dale Street Brookvale NSW in Australia and overseas, with clients as diverse 2100, phone 02 9029 0281, email: sydney@ as the Bangladesh Army, several international designstage.com.au, website: www.designstage. hotel chains and local artists. com.au 164 QLD PROJECT FEATURE BRISBANE CITY HALL RESTORATION WWW.ANCR.COM.AU QLD PROJECT FEATURE BRISBANEBRISBANE CITCITYY HALLHALL RESTORATION 165 INVISIBLE State-OF-THE-ART SECURITY Integrated Security Solution Brisbane City Hall Renovation The restoration of Brisbane’s heritage-listed City Hall posed a Providing a system that allowed both restricted and open-flow access while variable-matrix views as well as 130 channels of Agent Vi video analytics, provided by the video analytics’ people-counting capabilities that monitor challenging backdrop for the latest, state-of-the-art electronic protecting millions of dollars of fixed and moveable assets was never going the site is monitored from a 24hr on-site control room. With remote on- traffic flows, grouping of people and visitor destinations. In addition to security installation. to be a simple task. and off-site access to video footage and alarm activity, security staff can, if monitoring the unexpected movement of people or assets and left objects, necessary, move control to a backup control room within 5 minutes. the video analytics enables cost savings through reducing the staffing levels Challenge: Queensland’s political elite, Council employees, public visitors and regal The achievement at City Hall, from an electronic security perspective, is a