New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards

Christchurch Women’s Hospital

Holmes Consulting Group Ltd

"The design and construction had to meet the requirements of two quite different purposes: to be a specialist women’s hospital in normal circumstances, and also to be an essential core medical facility for emergency use following a natural disaster."
– Dr Bas Walker, Chief Judge

From an engineering perspective, the second role is particularly interesting, as the facility has both to survive a substantial earthquake with all its systems functioning, and also to continue to operate independently of external supplies of power, food and water for some days after the immediate emergency. The requirement was thus more demanding than simply to provide a structure that would not fail. It was also necessary to limit the level of earthquake-induced accelerations within the building to minimise harm to equipment, supplies and personnel.

The solution adopted was to isolate the building from its underlying foundation and allow for an unusually large movement relative to the ground. Because the design is innovative and follows world best practice, and also because the project was achieved on time and within budget, the judges see Christchurch Women’s Hospital as an example of New Zealand structural engineering at its very best.

Proudly sponsored by: Department of Building and Housing