Multi Civil Contractors

CATEGORY 1A: Projects with a value of less than $5 million (Company turnover less than $10 million)

PROJECT: Seismic Strengthening of St Mary of the Angels. CONTRACTOR: Multi Civil Contractors

Cultural heritage strengthening

St Mary of the Angels is an iconic Catholic Church in the heart of the Wellington CBD.

The church is classified as a Category I Historic Place by Heritage NZ. Opened in 1922, it was closed following the 2013 Seddon earthquake because a seismic assessment deemed it earthquake prone.

This project involved seismically strengthening a building of outstanding cultural and heritage significance that contributes hugely to the identity and vibrancy of Wellington.

Local contractor Multi Civil Contractors was awarded the demolition, excavation and backfilling, drainage and siteworks package by LT McGuinness, which approached Multi Civil pre tender to work through methodology and the best way to commence the high risk demolition works for the structural re-strengthening of St Mary of the Angels.

Onsite works were started in May 2015 with the project spanning two years to the completion date of March 2017.

Demolition work involved structural demolition to existing portal frames which required intensive saw-cutting methods; demolition of existing slab for new ground beams and anchors; demolition of existing portal columns for new shear walls; demolition of existing tower foundation for new ground beams; demolition of existing tower sections for new high level anchor beams; and demolition of existing plaster mouldings, windows and decorative pieces for new seismic works.

Excavation work involved: Excavation and backfilling for new ground beams; a new column and anchor pads; new tower foundations; and four metre deep tower raft slabs using small machinery and conveyor belts.

Drainage work involved: Installation of new stormwater; a new sanitary system; and new water main.

Site works involved: Installation of new landscaping to the northern church garden area and included resurfacing and shape corrections of the existing car park to the southern area.

The client was extremely pleased with the overall appearance of the finished church and says the project was completed to a high standard of workmanship. Multi Civil Contractors says it was very proud to be part of a project that involved the future of an outstanding part of this country’s cultural heritage that is important to the identity of the capital city. l