Structural Heritage Commendation 2004

Opus International Consultants Ltd
Seismic Strengthening/Refurbishment of Historic Chief Post Office - Auckland, New Zealand

The Chief Post Office in Auckland, built in 1910, served as the main postal office for the Auckland area. The building is recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust to be of great historic importance, Classification A is applied.

The design had to respond to a very complex brief, a change in building use, incorporation of an underground entrance to the new Britomart Transportation Centre and compliance with the New Zealand code for seismic resistance.

The structural engineer has demonstrated that with care and consideration for the original building and its various splendid details, all components of the brief could be met.

Importantly the finished article fulfils its function well and the main ground floor space is enhanced by exposure of the 1910 steel columns and riveted base plates. All the work has been performed with great skill and conforms to the conservation mantra that as far as possible all changes should be reversible.

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