The Rechabite is a multi use performance space offering entertainment and hospitality venues within the shell of one of Perth’s grand heritage treasures.
It was constructed in 1924 for the Independent Order of Rechabites – a friendly society and part of the temperance movement – and was a popular dance hall in the 1920s. Rechabite Hall was designed by architect Edwin Summerhayes, as his last major work, in the Inter-War Free Classical style.
As the project was well over budget, we were approached by Fini Group to provide value engineering. The main cost overrun was due to an incorrect approach to the seismic retrofit of the heritage structure. Our European approach resulted in major cost savings which allowed the project to return within budget.
The structural design included:
– Design of various structural steel elements to allow for new major openings
– One additional floor at the top of the existing building
– 2 new mechanical platform
– Roof strengthning to allow for live performances
– Seismic retrofit
– Full building compliance to current strandards
– Site supervision