Pedestrian Wind Comfort Study At The Store, 854 Hunter Street, Newcastle, Australia
Wind engineering services for The Store, 854 Hunter Street, Newcastle
The Store, a new residential development by Doma Group, is set to become a landmark addition to the Newcastle region's skyline. Situated at 854 Hunter Street, Newcastle, this two-tower project, designed by Bates Smart, features structures ranging from 100 to 107 metres in height.
The Windtech team has been involved from the Development Application phase to the Design Development phase, providing comprehensive wind engineering services.
Windtech completed a wide range of desktop and wind tunnel studies to assess the wind loads acting across the external form of the development and to assess and mitigate wind effects for occupant comfort and safety.
Windtech undertook both desktop and wind tunnel studies for pedestrian wind comfort and wind-induced noise for this development. Completing these studies ensured that occupants within the building and pedestrians along the ground floor plane did not experience adverse wind effects or prolonged wind-induced noise.
During the Design Development phase, the Facade Cladding Pressure Wind Tunnel Study accurately assessed the design maximum and minimum peak pressures for the entire facade envelope, identifying critical hot spots across both towers.
Windtech's engineers and technicians instrumented the study model with 490 pressure sensors across the development. With the addition of a rigorous study of wind-induced structural loads and building motion for both towers, the modelling ensured enhanced safety and performance while optimising the overall cost of facade and structural systems.
A Paver-Lift Off Study utilising existing wind tunnel data was also completed. This study assessed the likelihood of loosely laid pavers uplifting during a design wind response across rooftop communal terraces, private balconies and communal podium terraces.