In 2020, Outside Ideas was awarded Stage 2A of the Festival Plaza project for Hansen Yuncken, the first of a multi-stage redevelopment. In 2021, Outside Ideas was awarded Stage 1A, the next stage of this significant public realm redevelopment for Walker Corporation.
Both stages were to be completed under strict, non-negotiable deadlines to meet State Government requirements. The scope of work included the construction of new topping slabs to bring the existing structure to design heights, consisting of EPS void filler and lightweight concrete to conform to load bearing restrictions above the Festival Car Park and Festival Theatre. Waterproofing was applied to both new and existing structures to provide a 25-year warranted system, with granite paving following using a 3-part mortar system.
To complete the construction of the new Plaza atop the topping slabs, structural concrete pavements and retaining walls were installed, as well as services, drainage, hard and soft landscaping, building structures and a major water feature. The feature pavement to the plaza includes over 9,000 square metres of mortar-laid granite pavers, paved in extremely complex patterns. Design and construct works were required for a number of elements, including the building works, structural and precast concrete elements, and the central water feature.
The program faced added complexities due to several other live construction projects running adjacent the site, a functioning car park operating beneath the site, and numerous stakeholders (including Parliament House and SkyCity Casino) located on the fringes of the site. All these challenges required significant coordination and logistics to deliver the complex works within their individual deadlines, without sacrificing quality or disrupting the day-to-day operations of the stakeholder organisations.
The successful delivery of multiple stages of the Festival Plaza redevelopment ahead of time is testament to the exceptionally high level of planning and innovation demonstrated by the Outside Ideas team in order to construct this detailed design to a very high standard in its high-profile location.
