Situated within Ringwood’s growing transport and retail precinct, the Ringwood Activity Centre Carpark project required a balance of engineering precision, architectural sensitivity, and community awareness.

The location of the new multi-level carpark at 1 Bedford Road is home to the former Blood Brothers store which holds heritage and social significance for the community. Ireland Brown Constructions (IBC), managed the raising and relocation of the early 20th-century Blood Brothers storefront, repositioning the historic building to accommodate the carpark.

“The existing site around the building was on grade, so we had to pick a horizontal cut line above which to maintain the heritage elements,” explained Dermot Walsh, Senior Project Manager at IBC. “We then determined the weight and mass distribution of the building and reviewed its construction and condition to confirm any weakness in the structural integrity. Temporary steel supports were designed to brace weakened walls and accommodate jacking and dolly locations.”

To keep the building perfectly level during relocation, IBC imported a unified jacking system from the USA, supervised by a specialist in heritage relocation. Unexpected soil conditions added another layer of complexity. “The existing ground conditions couldn’t resist the wheel loads, so a pathway of steel road plates was laid to disperse the force and keep the dollies stable,” Dermot said. The building was rotated 110 degrees into its new position on the south-eastern corner of the site.

“Creating a multi-storey carpark that integrates with an urban setting is always a challenging design task,” Dermot explained. “The heritage store became the primary design driver for the façade of the car park. The brick construction inspired the use of a lightweight red brick tile screen to provide a contemporary interpretation that sits comfortably with the traditional brickwork of the Blood Brothers store.”

This approach not only preserved the historical character of Ringwood but also restored the store to a position of prominence, acting as a bridge between suburban streetscapes and showcasing the scale of the new parking facility.
The project’s proximity to Ringwood station and active public thoroughfares meant detailed planning was essential. “The tower crane for the project was designed to reduce the risk to Metro passengers,” Dermot noted. “We employed a luffing crane instead of a hammerhead, ensuring the boom never crossed the rail corridor. An electronic lockout was also incorporated to guarantee no lifts encroached within a 20m zone of the tracks.”

With Melbourne’s Big Build rail upgrades underway nearby, traffic and public transport co-ordination was critical. IBC carried out SIDRA analysis to model traffic flows and manage bus movements, while traffic management plans for pedestrians were developed with Maroondah City Council.

“Any major disruptive works, such as removal of the tower crane, were scheduled during school holidays to minimise peak-time disruption,” Dermot said. “These were carefully co-ordinated with public transport operators to ensure no major delays.”

The integration of heritage and modern infrastructure is the standout achievement. “This project celebrates Ringwood’s history while meeting the needs of a growing city. To take on the engineering challenges of relocating and preserving the Blood Brothers storefront, while also delivering a contemporary, high-functioning carpark, shows what can be achieved with collaboration, innovation, and respect for heritage.”

For more information contact Ireland Brown Constructions, Level 1, 1180 Toorak Road, Camberwell VIC 3124, phone 03 9805 5200, email enquiry@ibconstructions.com.au, website www.ibconstructions.com.au