Aotea Centre, Auckland

The $52m project to redevelop Aotea Square for Auckland City Council got underway in October 2008, set for completion in October 2010.
A key part of the project is the repair and strengthening of the Civic car park roof, including replacing the bearings on each column and some bracing. This work gives the council the chance to upgrade the landscaping of the public central area, including new paving, canopies and areas for large outdoor events to be held.
A great example of Hawkins’ ingenuity, the project
includes a unique jacking mechanism to lift the 600 tonne roof to replace the rubber gravity bearings between the columns and roof. Another of several innovations includes the use of a plastic liner to act as permanent formwork and a water proofing layer to the tree pits, eliminating potential
leaks.