CASE STUDY |
Handrails & Balustrades for B201 at University of Auckland 

Ashworth & Taylor are a proud kiwi-owned and operated family business based in Auckland. They use state-of-the-art sheet metal fabrication technology and machinery. They deliver full custom solutions for any idea or project, from industries such as food, health, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, dairy, fisheries, and meat producers that require high-grade stainless steel surfaces.

THE CHALLENGE

The University of Auckland contracted Ashworth & Taylor to design and fabricate handrails and balustrade for their new 10-level social sciences building (B201).

The architectural drawings were complete. Caliber was brought in to complete the engineering and fabrication drawings. Time and budget were limited, precision essential.

The plan was for all the handrails and balustrades to be fabricated and welded in the workshop and then carried to the site for installation. Any significant dimensional errors could add significant time and cost to the project.

THE SOLUTION

A Caliber Design engineer assisted with the following aspects of the job:

• Site measurements provided were carefully compared to the architectural drawings.
• 3D models were developed quickly, so each handrail and balustrade could be designed, reviewed, and modified easily.
• ‘Quick joint kits’ were integrated into the design, reducing fabrication time and cost significantly.
• Engineering and fabrication drawings of 20 handrails and balustrades were delivered on time.
• Ashworth and Taylor were happy the quality of the drawings and the time the project took to complete.

We were thrilled to work with Ashworth & Taylor on this project. They’ve been around since the 90s and have the reputation of “performing the impossible with sheetmetal” … they really know their stuff and have high standards.

The B201 building is a 6 Green Star design by Jasmax. That’s the highest New Zealand Green Building Council sustainability rating ever awarded to a building in New Zealand. It uses a third of the average energy of an equivalent new building.