1The award-winning, 10 level state-of-the-art Christchurch Women’s Hospital building replaced the former hospital facility, which had been in use for over 50 years. The old hospital was dated, lacking functionality and flexibility, and was short of capacity for patients, staff and visitors. The new facility needed more than 20,000m² of floor space to provide services to thousands of women each year.

2The team at Holmes Consulting Group was called in to bring some fresh structural thinking to the project, with a focus on low damage design. Working with our custom modelling and design technology, our expert engineers were able to create what was the very first base isolation in the South Island. The building has been designed to withstand the largest predictable earthquake – a design feature that has obvious relevance in light of the recent Christchurch quakes.

3The new Women’s Hospital is integrally linked to the existing central hospital facilities, providing effective interaction with the other main clinical and healthcare facilities. Due to its ability to withstand damage, the hospital is a dedicated essential services facility providing ongoing recovery services immediately following a major natural disaster.