Supporting One Subiaco – Precast Concrete Columns

Reinforced Earth’s precast concrete design and manufacturing expertise played a key role in the construction of One Subiaco, an iconic mixed-use development for Perth, Western Australia; built on the location of the old Subiaco Markets.

Constructed by Multiplex and partners, the development features three distinct residential buildings, one 24 storeys high. The development comprises 245 apartments, underneath which are modern retail spaces, food and beverage offerings, and an interconnected network of laneways. One Subiaco was designed to revitalise the abandoned market site, and Reinforced Earth played a key role in its foundation construction by supplying and installing critical precast concrete columns.

Our Contribution: Plunge Columns

For One Subiaco, Reinforced Earth supplied 35 precast concrete plunge columns ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 meters in height and 0.6 to 1.2 meters in width, with individual units weighing up to 11 tonnes. These columns were designed to bear significant load pressures of up to 100 MPa, providing a robust foundation to support the large vertical and horizontal loads that accompany the construction of high-rise buildings.

The plunge columns in this case consisted of precast concrete sections. They are especially well-suited for top-down construction methods, which enable simultaneous construction of the superstructure and substructure, significantly reducing project timelines. These columns offer high stability and are often employed in projects with deep basement spaces or tall structures, such as One Subiaco.

Precast plunge columns are installed using hydraulic and fixed-frame systems, ensuring precise placement and alignment. Their use eliminates the need for baseplates and holding-down bolts, further streamlining the construction process.

Innovative Engineering for a Landmark Project

By utilising our advanced precast concrete solutions, Reinforced Earth contributed to the successful and efficient construction of One Subiaco, which completed in December 2022. Our plunge columns played an integral role in the project’s foundation, enabling the use of top-down construction to optimise timelines and structural integrity. The combination of these elements ensured that the development could meet its design goals while maintaining the highest standards of engineering excellence.

Reinforced Earth is proud to have been a part of this significant development that has revitalised an historic Perth site, and we look forward to continuing to deliver innovative engineering solutions for landmark projects across our Australian network of engineering offices and precast concrete manufacturing sites.

Read more about our precast concrete columns and piles solutions.

For more information on Reinforced Earth’s precast concrete solutions contact us.