Pedestrian Wind Comfort Study At The Store, 854 Hunter Street, Newcastle, Australia
The Store, a new residential development by Doma Group, is set to become a landmark addition to the Newcastle region’s skyline. Situated at 854 Hunter Street, Newcastle, this two-tower project, designed by Bates Smart, features structures ranging from 100 to 107 meters in height. The Windtech team has been involved from the Development Application phase to the Design Development phase, providing comprehensive wind engineering services.
Windtech completed a wide range of Desktop and Wind Tunnel Studies to not only assess the wind loads acting across the external form of the development but also to assess and mitigate wind effects for occupant comfort and safety. Windtech undertook both Desktop and Wind Tunnel Studies for the Pedestrian Wind Comfort and Wind Induced Noise for this development. Completing these studies ensured that occupants within the building and pedestrians along the ground floor plane did not experience any adverse wind effects or prolonged wind-induced noise. Design recommendations were made where necessary to ensure that relevant safety and comfort criteria were met.
During the Design Development phase, the Façade Cladding Pressure Wind Tunnel Study accurately assessed the design maximum and minimum peak pressures for the entire façade envelope, identifying critical “hotspots” across both towers. Windtech’s engineers and technicians instrumented the study model with 490 pressure sensors across the development. With the addition of a rigorous study of Wind-Induced Structural Loads and Building Motion for both towers, our modelling ensured enhanced safety and performance. It optimised the overall cost of the façade and structural systems, providing significant financial benefits.
Additionally, due to Windtech’s strategic placement of pressure sensors, a Paver-Lift Off Study utilising the existing Wind Tunnel data was also completed. This Pedestrian Wind Comfort study assessed the likelihood of loosely laid pavers uplifting during a design wind response across the rooftop communal terraces, private balconies, & communal podium terraces. Recommendations were made for areas where the pedestal pavers are predicted to uplift during a design wind event.
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