Located in the midst of Hamilton City, the Waikato Regional Theatre is set to provide the region with a world class performing arts centre and a hub for community engagement.

Project: Waikato Regional Theatre

Client: RCP

Contractor: Fosters

Architect: Jasmax

Location: Hamilton

Date: 2022- ongoing

Category: Social  Infrastructure

 

Integrating the meticulously restored façade of the historic Hamilton Hotel,  the modern theatre will seat up to 1300 patrons and will be used for performances and educational opportunities. Beyond its stage, the theatre’s surrounding precinct is set to become a vibrant hub, boasting retail and hospitality venues, courtyards, meeting spaces, and public performance areas.

Brevity has been part of this ambitious project since 2022, being engaged by the main contractors, Fosters, to provide the seismic designs for non structural elements. Having contributed to the design for the suspended ceilings, partition walls and the mechanical, hydraulic and electrical seismic design, Brevity has been contracted for further bespoke work. Brevity engineers are assisting the contractor in bringing their architecturally courageous designs to life. 

Suspended structures, partition walls and seating

One of the stand-out features of the performing arts centre is its main hall, where large sound reflectors are suspended from the ceiling, accompanied by a striking timber halo. These suspended structures not only enhance acoustics but also create an impressive visual spectacle. The seismic design requires close consideration due to their size, shape, weight and the height from which they are suspended.

Within the theatre, internal walls requiring fire proofing have used a Korok panel, which consists of a steel shell filled with aerated concrete. These panels, when visible, are clad in timber, blending into the theatre’s overarching aesthetic. Additional seismic assessment and design has been required for these non structural walls to meet building code standards.

Even the circular balconies in the main seating area, which include an architecturally designed frontage, have required seismic engineering. The timber sweeps around the front of the seating, but adds additional weight which required a bespoke seismic design to ensure it was adequately restrained.

The next step

As construction progresses and the Waikato Regional Theatre takes shape, Brevity’s role expands to include construction monitoring. With the project set for completion in 2025, there’s still much to accomplish, but the region is ready and waiting for the emergence of this vibrant art centre and community hub.

If you have a project requiring non structural seismic designs, get in touch with the team today to see how we can help!

 

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bespoke construction monitoring suspended ceilings