With a Gavin Construction project, an award winning, functional design is only the beginning. The company offers the highest quality workmanship, use only the best products and deliver a cost effective construction on time and on budget.
When the Betts Group moved its headquarters from the city to the suburbs, staff comfort and satisfaction was kept forefront of mind.
The Betts Group was seeking a builder to document and build its new national head office and distribution centre.
Gavin Construction was recruited for the project, featuring a high specification, two level corporate office and state-of-the-art warehousing facility, together with staff amenities, extensive parking and hardstand areas.
Essentially there were two standalone modules for the site – the warehouse and two-storey office building.
Gavin Construction documented the open plan office in close consultation with the clients to complement their organisational structure. The design incorporates features that allow for future expansion. The use of innovative materials, such as alpolic panelling and feature slate cladding balanced against extensive tinted glasswork, ensure a contemporary finish which will stand the test of time.
Significant emphasis has been placed on staff comfort and amenities. The design brief called for ‘Qantas Club’ standard of finishes and facilities. The lunchroom offers a fully functioning canteen area equipped with bain maries, ovens and cappuccino machines. All bathrooms are finished with floor to ceiling tiles and high quality fixtures and fittings.
The warehouse facility incorporates an automated pick and pack system. Extensive pallet racking and mezzanine storage has been provided for.
Both the office and warehouse structures were built using tilt panel construction. The warehouse was the first phase of the contract. This was handed over for fit-out and occupation by the client prior to the office being completed.
The ground floor slab of the warehouse was constructed with a +/- tolerance of 2-3mm to accommodate the extensive pallet racking and the potential future need for specialised forklifts. Due to the extent of pallet racking, additional columns were used to reduce the tonnage and cost of roof steel.
Structural steel was selected in combination with the new King Floor system to construct the office suspended slab. A thermal analysis was commissioned to establish heat loads and energy efficiency of the office building. Specialised tinted glass was utilised in combination with the placement of specifically rated insulation to reduce the capital outlay of the mechanical plant and equipment, along with the ongoing running costs. All mechanical plant and equipment were placed at ground level to provide easy access for maintenance.
The internal finish of the office matches the external contemporary influence. Clean lines with modular workstations, arrayed to take advantage of an open floor plan design, provide for a healthy work environment. A reflection pond is located under the main internal staircase and provides a pleasant vista across from the boardroom.
Staff comfort has also been considered with the construction of an alfresco entertaining area adjacent to the lunchroom. This is ideal for everyday use or high-end corporate functions. A goods lift has been provided to cater for the extensive movement of shoes from ground floor to the buyers display rooms.
