The City Hall Restoration Project includes the works required to satisfy the Fire Engineering Report recommendations and the requirements and to raise the structural adequacy and safety of the building to current standards to meet the functional plans for the building and in keeping with the heritage nature of the building.
Over the years, additional non-structural floor slabs have been added on top of the original structure and it is intended that generally these will be removed in order to lighten the dead load on the original structure, thereby enabling the structure to cater for increased live loads.
In addition, the FER assessment has identified deficiencies with the structural performance during fire conditions, and hence there is a requirement to increase the fire rating of the existing structure. It is envisaged this will be achieved by a combination of methods including:
- removal of added floors
- provision of new topping slabs utilising the original slabs as permanent formwork
- in some areas – the removal of original slabs and replacement with new slabs
- addition of new passive fire protection material on the underside of existing structures, including slabs, beams and columns; and
- strengthening of existing beams and columns.
A key component of the City Hall Restoration Project is the significant upgrading of the building services, which centres around the removal of all existing plant (generally located within the basement and at ground level) and the establishment of new facilities at roof level. This may require upgrading of the existing structure to accommodate new plant loads at roof level.
In order to implement the rehabilitation of the in-ground services and address groundwater issues, there is a requirement to remove and replace extensive portions of the concrete slabs on ground and basement levels.
The current Functional Plan is expected to introduce a number of new elements including:
- new passenger and goods lifts (with water ingress control in the lift pits)
- new basement tunnels
- excavation of basement areas to create additional storage space
- new commercial kitchen in the basement
- new tenant or museum premises at roof level
- new services plant space at roof level
- new fire egress stairs
- new elevated walkways
- replacement of existing level 3 roof slab with a new floor to contemporary standards
- extension of existing passenger lifts to service additional floors; and
- additional toilet areas throughout the building.
Visit the Brisbane City Council webpage for further information.