Remote Area Construction from Galvanizers Association of Australia

Erection-ready for remote site: Milson Island Indoor Sports Centre, NSW

Architect: Allen Jack+Cottier Architects
Structural Engineer: Taylor Thomson Whitting Consulting Engineers
Building Contractor: Inten Constructions

The call for a multi-purpose building to accommodate a variety of sporting and social activities on a water-locked site on the Hawkesbury River was met with a totally lightweight modular building designed to be extended, reduced in size, or even moved with relative ease.

This ensured that most of the work could be completed off-site, barged to site in pieces and simply bolted together. A structural frame consisting of duplex (galvanized and painted) coated primary steel framing members were specified to help ensure the building is relatively maintenance-free.

Director at Allen Jack+Cottier Architects, John Whittingham said the client was very keen to minimise ongoing maintenance and galvanizing "fit the bill".

"Building in remote locations is expensive and problematic. It's hard for sub-contractors to come and go. If you've forgotten a tool, a water taxi is required to retrieve it," he said.

"Galvanizing was an obvious choice, providing a prefinished protective coat completed off-site, meaning the steel is protected from the moment it leaves the plant."

Prefabrication off-site for the most part meant the steel frame erection was completed in days, allowing other trades to contribute without delay. Due to the tough galvanized coating, the building could be quickly assembled once the components arrive on site as little or no touch-up was required at the building site. "Its tough electrochemical finish is self-healing which also speeds up the construction as there is minimal touching up required from transportation and erection," Mr Whittingham said.

"Galvanizing comes into its own when used in rural locations with other raw, rustic type finishes. It weathers well and the initial bright silver finish gradually softens to become a softer grey, which blends into surrounding natural tones."

By coordinating the production requirements with the galvanizer and utilising their superior logistic capabilities, the project team enabled the sub-components to be delivered on time, in full and in a controlled manner. The galvanized surface also protects the base steel from the everyday wear and tear of the boisterous activities occurring within.