Using cutting edge technology to change the face of complex concrete construction
mouldCAM created the moulds for the complex curved pillars supporting the free form wave-shaped roof of the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Sydney. This iconic $40 million facility, named in honour of the five times Olympic Gold Medal Champion, was the last building designed by the late Harry Seidler.
The architecturally designed concrete pillars are of such complicated shape that the normal "planking up" for form work was simply not possible. The pillars also needed to be repeatable to ensure cost efficiencies. Using cutting edge technology, mouldCAM developed smart moulds to serve the different shapes and to build two different types of pillar.
By creating a durable mould, mouldCAM was able to achieve multiple pulls and by implanting a plug, was able to change the shape of the mould as needed.
Beginning with a 3D model supplied by the designers, mouldCAM applied its Australian developed custom CAM system to provide an innovative solution that would meet the requirements of large scale of output, with the ability both to withstand the pressure of a large volume of concrete and to remain structurally robust when the concrete was vibrated.
The construction of Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in total used approximately 4,000 cubic metres of concrete, 160 tonnes of steel, 200,000 tiles and 650 square metres of single glazed U profile glass.
The builders are very satisfied with the outcome, saying that mouldCAM provided an innovative solution that others said could not be achieved. mouldCAM was also price competitive and delivered on budget and on time, ensuring that the building process was not delayed.
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