WSP, in association with Ndodana Consulting, was responsible for the structural design of the entire Montecasino Entertainment World, a concrete, steel and brick framed complex incorporating gaming, retail, 16 cinemas, parking and back of house areas. We also designed the Montecasino Lifestyle Extension, where the Teatro is located, along with a hotel, function facility, five restaurants and an open- air piazza above a double level basement for parking and plant.
The Teatro is an outstanding achievement in terms of architecture, engineering and construction. One of the most important challenges of the project– and of the entire Montecasino Extension - is the massive transverse beam supporting the semi-circular upper gallery of the theatre. Spanning the entire 31.4m width of the auditorium, the transfer/bridging beam not only supports its own weight, but also the dead weight of the terraced upper and the weight of 800 people. In addition to the transverse beam, five cantilever beams at right angles support the upper gallery. These were installed to prevent displacement and sloping to the centre. They support precast seating panels to which seats are fixed, providing a staggered gallery giving 60 people an intimate view of the stage and theatre (no seat is more than 30m from the stage).