The University of Auckland’s Recreation and Wellness Centre (RWC) is a landmark project designed to revitalise campus life with a state-of-the-art, sustainable facility. Replacing a centre built in 1978 that had outgrown its capacity and usability, the new RWC serves as a modern, accessible hub for the university's growing student population.

 

Livefirm was entrusted with delivering both concrete and external carpentry work, focusing on large-scale and technically demanding structural elements that formed the backbone of this transformative development.

 

The concrete works were among the most ambitious undertaken by Livefirm to date. The project included pile caps of monumental scale, with one reaching 130m³, and suspended beams elevated approximately nine metres above ground. Precision installation of heavy-duty bolts, some as tall as 4.6 m and weighing several tonnes, added further complexity to the structural requirements. Livefirm also constructed in-situ concrete walls reaching up to 15 metres high in the swimming pool area and implemented advanced temperature monitoring to ensure the quality of concrete during curing. Static pumps and over 100 metres of piping were repositioned for each pour, demonstrating the team’s ability to navigate complex site conditions. Each level of the structure introduced unique design challenges that required precise coordination, adaptability, and technical expertise.

 

In addition to the concrete works, Livefirm was responsible for the external framing package, ensuring seamless integration with the cladding to deliver durability and aesthetic consistency.

 

The project presented significant challenges, including resource shortages caused by COVID-19 and the need to carefully coordinate logistics in a constrained site environment. Lifting concrete pumps and accessing pouring areas required meticulous planning to maintain progress. Despite these obstacles, Livefirm showcased resilience and adaptability, ensuring the project stayed on track.

 

Livefirm’s involvement in the University of Auckland RWC highlights its ability to execute technically demanding, large-scale works. The successful delivery of the concrete and external framing packages, combined with valuable insights gained into programme durations and construction methodologies, strengthens Livefirm’s reputation as a trusted partner for landmark developments across New Zealand.