Fronted by WSP Major Projects Director Keryn Kliskey, the nine-minute video focuses on how WSP has helped shape City Rail Link through its role in the Link Alliance.
It’s a project that spans many years and many disciplines, from tunnelling, utilities and structures to digital engineering, human factors, architecture, mechanical systems, and geotechnical design.
Keryn says CRL has brought together some of the best minds in engineering, design, and digital innovation. It’s something WSP is incredibly proud to have been part of.
The project page showcases WSP’s work on CRL, with the behind-the-scenes video capturing the people, disciplines and design thinking behind a project set to transform how people move around the city.
One of the people featured in the video is Technical Director for Digital Engineering Dean Burke, who says more than 500 digital models helped Link Alliance teams coordinate design, construction planning, materials use and sustainability outcomes.
Technical Principal for Water Carwyn Cadogan talks about the large stormwater drop structures designed to carry stormwater into deep underground pipes.
Technical Director for Human Factors Jared Thomas speaks about how virtual reality simulations were used to test how people might behave during a tunnel evacuation. These led to practical changes such as clearer wayfinding and emergency exits connecting CRL's tunnels.
Research Manager Louise Malcolm shares another example of design shaped around people - the CRL control room, where a pod-style space was designed to better support everyday communication and critical decisions.
Principal Mechanical Engineer Andrew Lester talks about the reliability demanded of mechanical systems such as ventilation and escalators, while Structural Engineer Jane Middlemiss explains the challenge of fitting station structures, lifts, escalators, beams, slabs and ventilation systems into tight central Auckland sites.
Collaboration is a strong theme throughout the video. Technical Director for Tunnels Wataru Okada says the openness of the project team helped turn complex challenges, including tunnelling under water mains, into problems that could be worked through together.
That collaborative approach also shaped the stations people will move through every day, with WSP Architectural Lead Stefan Geelen talking about how WSP and Grimshaw worked with City Rail Link Limited and mana whenua to embed Te Ao Māori principles in the spatial, interior and urban design.
Find the new project page and video here.
