Excavation, earthworks and piling
To prepare the Powerhouse Parramatta site, excavation and earthworks were conducted to enable final design levels, the construction of foundations and the building structure. This included removal of approximately 35,000 tonnes of soil off site.
Utilising 2 specialised piling rigs, 230 piles were drilled and installed to support the deep foundations for the Powerhouse Parramatta buildings. Piles involves the construction of underground reinforced concrete columns to provide vertical and horizontal support to a structure.
The process involves:
drilling holes into the ground using a large drill
using a crane to install a steel cage that will reinforce the final pile
pouring concrete into each hole
installing a concrete capping beam across the finished pile to link and hold it together.
Concrete and facade
The facades of Powerhouse Paramatta perfectly balance form and function.
The buildings outer façades are designed with 3 types of steel lattices that create an exoskeleton for the buildings. The exoskeleton structure comprises three types of steel.
Behind the steel lattice structure, the Powerhouse Parramatta façade exists in two main forms: clear glass to maximise natural light or solid opaque walls to enclose light-sensitive presentation spaces.
Glazed windows are carefully placed throughout Powerhouse Parramatta to ensure the presentation spaces are separated from the light, allowing for versatile exhibitions and programs. The northern elevations of both the eastern and western buildings feature glazed elements at key levels, providing ample access to natural sunlight for pedestrian circulation areas. The two wings of Powerhouse Parramatta are joined by a glazed two storey bridge, anchoring the building to the city grid.
The panels are also designed to be self-cleaning, with a hydrophobic coating that helps to repel dirt and pollutants.
Structural steel and the exoskeleton
Powerhouse Parramatta will require an estimated 12,000 tonnes of steel during construction. This is mainly attributed to the use of an exoskeleton, an awe-inspiring architectural feature that provides structural integrity while giving the building a distinctive, clearly articulated appearance.
What is an exoskeleton
An exoskeleton is a structural design system that uses an external framework to support the building, instead of relying on internal columns and beams. The system supports the building's weight and load, similar to the way the human skeleton supports the body.
The exoskeleton is a unique architectural feature that sets this building apart, providing structural integrity whilst giving the museum a distinctive, clearly articulated appearance that blends seamlessly into the natural environment. It also allows a greater amount of natural light to penetrate the building, creating an inviting space that changes dynamically throughout the day.
Powerhouse Parramatta’s unique exoskeleton
The Powerhouse Parramatta exoskeleton is designed with 3 types of steel lattice that enable the interiors to be column-free, large volume spaces which will vary in size, scale, and offerings.
This building will require an estimated 12,000 tonnes of steel during construction, triple the amount of steel used to build the new Allianz Stadium at 4,000 tonnes.
The exoskeleton is made up of 1,237 individual pieces of steel, comprising W, X, J and A shaped pieces ranging from 4m in height to over 20m that form together. During construction, exoskeleton sections are first assembled on the ground on site, then lifted into place by the tower cranes.
How will it be built
Throughout 2023, large steel deliveries will be delivered and installed on site as the structure of the building progresses.
To support construction there are 3 tower cranes on site, including the world’s largest capacity tower crane, with a lift capacity of 330 tonnes. This means heavy, modularised sections of the exoskeleton can be installed in a single lift, maximising efficiency and reducing congestion on site.
In an Australian-first, all three cranes are powered by 100% renewable diesel marking a critical transition towards fossil fuel free construction.
