CASE STUDY: DYNAMIC STEEL FRAME

388 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE 

A key player in the team behind the transformation of a former office building in Melbourne’s CBD into state-of-the-art apartment dwellings is Melbourne based outfit Dynamic Steel Frame (DSF), whose product and solutions have enabled a high rise extension to “reach for the skies”.

The 388 Lonsdale Street site has been boldly revisioned through an eight storey height extension, facilitated by DSF’s light-gauge framing system, made from Truecore steel and comprising a highly prefabricated system of flooring cassettes.

Dynamic Steel Frame Managing Director Peter Blythe confirms the company exclusively designs and fabricates framing systems made from BlueScope Truecore steel. And he contends that DSF’s solutions have been critical to maximising building efficiencies and accelerating installation on the 388 Lonsdale scheme, with the shop-drawn, 3D modelled system offering time saving, safety and ease of handling benefits.

“The advantages offered by prefabrication are clear; less requirement for manpower on site and a reduced need for crane lifts,” says Blythe. “The results are economic savings and speed of construction. Using this system enables the scheme to go from the first level to the top of the eighth storey in about 16 weeks, which is incredibly fast for a building of its size.”

“Using this system enables the scheme to go from the first level to the top of the eighth story in about 16 weeks, which is incredibly fast for a building of its size.” Dynamic Steel Frame Managing Director Peter Blythe

The project entails around 5000 square metres of 1mm light gauge floor framing at around seven tonnes per level, totalling around 60 tonnes of floor joists made from Truecore steel. The flooring system is modular and utilises a 2.7 metre wide by 5.5 metre long, fully finished floor cassette framed by 1mm gauge lightweight Truecore steel. Each cassette has four lifting points and can be craned into position and lowered onto the top of the structural steel of the portal frame, primarily composed of 200 mm universal beams, as well as some welded beams and columns. Cassettes are fixed in place with screws.

Blythe confirms lightweight steel framing has empowered the client to build far higher than other materials might allow. Concrete, for example, would only enable an extension of around two storeys due to its weight. He also notes that DFS commitment to only using Australian made Truecore steel is key to the product’s reliability and durability. “We really believe in the product. The quality is always there so it’s reliable and so is the support from BlueScope if needed.” ■

Using DSF’s prefab flooring cassettes, 388 Lonsdale’s eight storey extension was completed within around 16 weeks.