Airport's portable car park a world first

The new carparking building which opened this week at Auckland International Airport's domestic terminal is being hailed as a world first for New Zealand design technology.

This carpark can easily be unbolted, pulled apart and then reconstructed on another site. It can also be converted into office space.

Built by Cassidy Construction, all sections of the carpark building were constructed off site and delivered to the airport on trucks, where they were bolted together.

This made the site quieter and cleaner, meaning carparking operations could continue nearby more easily. With traditional construction techniques, the joins are either welded or concreted together.

Project developer of the carpark is Worldwide Parking Group (WPG), which is owned by Macquarie Bank, and minority shareholders Lloyd Parrant, structural engineer Peter Boardman and architect Ross Webb.

All had been astounded at the speed of construction of the carpark, said Boardman, a senior structural engineer who designed the technology used. The project took two months to complete, with only one month spent on the airport site.

The carparks are a more generous size than normal car parks, which allows them to be later used for office space. There are, however, no plans for the new carpark to be converted in such a way.

Boardman said the company's construction methods meant the carparks were cost competitive, as well as being quick.

Quick and good value does not mean just anyone can build the new style carparks.

"They do have to know what they're doing, they're lifting quite heavy pre-cast units that have to be fitted to a tight tolerance, so there are special construction techniques."

Work on this project is expected to be finished late this year.

The construction of the carpark is the latest in a big round of infrastructure development around the airport. It includes the widening of the main access road, and other car park extensions.

Work is soon to start on an extension to the eastern end of the international terminal building, which will accommodate 12 new check-in counters and other facilities. The first stage of this job is the building of a new road, which will also mean shifting carparks.

Another big project at the airport is the construction of a deck on top of the international terminal, so arriving and departing passengers are separated.

The design of this work is being completed with collaboration between Government agencies and airlines. Due for completion before summer next year, the deck means the company can expand its retailing, food and beverage business.

Unique design

* Building size: 7500m2

* Number of new car parks: about 300.

* Total number of concrete components: 350.

* Largest component: 17.5m x 2.6m floor panels weighing 20 tonnes.

* Total weight of concrete components: 4500 tonnes.

* Total nuts and bolts: 3600.