| H2O @ Varsity Client: Skand Developments Value: $22M Year Completed: 2009 Location: Varsity Lakes H2O is compromised of 60 residential dwellings (44 units + 16 villas) over a 2300m2 basement plus a Central Facilities area with gym, 25m lap pool, managers office & BBQ area all located in tropical landscaped grounds within a 7,650m2 secure complex. The apartments were broken up into three different buildings, up to 4 stories and serviced by 5 lifts. High levels of finishes were provided with sale prices ranging from $550,000 to $1.3M. The units and the villas were built and delivered to the client simultaneously. |
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Glenzeil were heavily involved in the design and buildability issues of the project from DA to BA and then ultimately to Construction. This insured a smooth building process which was delivered to the client 6 weeks ahead of programme and within budget. Construction techniques and planning played a major role in ensuring the success of the project. Materials handling included a fixed crane servicing the units and a manito for the villas. All deliveries needed to be coordinated effectively as the project was located within an existing busy residential/commercial area of Varsity Lakes and surrounded by water on two elevations.
Construction techniques used in this project included both buildability issues and cost saving techniques:
- Construction techniques included controlled batters to reduce sheet piling to parts of the basement, lightweight strata walls as party walls to reduce conventional blockwork party walls and to meet energy efficiency requirements, solar hot water was provided to the villas and a grey water reticulation system to service common area facilities.
- Cost saving techniques included a Basement & Podium slab redesign to incorporate post-tensioning in lieu of conventional reinforcing.
- Safety challenges included the coordination of all major events, i.e. concrete pours, with surrounding tenants and businesses. Containing materials handling within the site; this proved quite challenging as the project was located on the waterfront with only half the boundary accessible by street frontage. The boundaries facing the waterfront elevations had a strong environmental focus.
- Overall the project was a success for all parties involved. Defects were kept to a minimum with client inspections progressive as units were completed. Glenzeil is already underway with design of the next project for this Client and is also providing useful input in feasibility studies for future sites.
