Located on Perth’s coastal edge, Ocean Village comprises two residential towers of 22 and 10 storeys connected via a common podium structure. We are engaged to provide structural engineering services for the development, which is currently under design. The structural solution includes post-tensioned slabs, an in-situ concrete core system for both towers, and a hybrid vertical system of in-situ and precast columns.
The connection of the towers through the podium introduced significant complexity in the global stability system. Our approach required detailed staged analysis to assess how the podium would behave under various combinations of wind and seismic loading, acting concurrently with both towers or independently. The podium functions not only as a transfer level but also as a lateral load distribution platform, demanding a carefully sequenced structural design.
Given the site’s proximity to the ocean, lateral loading from wind was a critical input to the structural form. The wind environment is more aggressive than typical urban sites, necessitating a focus on serviceability design for occupant comfort at the upper levels. We addressed this by optimising the core wall arrangement and introducing stiffness balancing strategies to manage drift and acceleration limits.
Durability was addressed early in the design process due to the saline environment. Concrete mix design, cover requirements, joint detailing, and protective coatings were all developed in coordination with long-term maintenance considerations. The vertical and lateral systems were coordinated to ensure continuity of load paths while allowing for differential movement between the towers and podium.
Our team developed a structural scheme that responds directly to both environmental constraints and architectural objectives, using a rationalised construction methodology that balances in-situ and precast systems to improve constructability without compromising performance.
