THE PROJECT /
Located in Footscray, this project was part of the Western Bulldogs Football Club’s ambitious revitalisation of its traditional home at Mission Whitten Oval and the surrounding precinct. The scope included the installation of pre-fabricated soffit framing to the existing grandstand—a challenging task due to the complex geometry of the tiered concrete seating and the height requirements, with some areas reaching up to 14 metres above ground level.
The site presented significant logistical hurdles. Working over steeply raked concrete terraces required the use of elevated boom lifts throughout, demanding a highly coordinated approach to both access and installation. The pelmet lines had to read level and consistent along the incline of the structure, necessitating precise alignment to set RL (Reduced Level) points to maintain visual continuity. Early in the planning phase, a steel framing system was identified as the most suitable solution due to its structural integrity and its ability to meet the demanding dimensional tolerances of the site.
THE CORTEK STEEL FRAMING SOLUTION /
Cortek was engaged for this project due to our expertise in complex framing systems, with our pre-fabricated light gauge steel solution chosen for its efficiency, precision, and adaptability – key attributes for working in a constrained and elevated environment like a stadium grandstand.
Compared to traditional stick-built methods, the Cortek system reduced the need for extensive temporary support, offering a cleaner, safer, and faster installation process. Panels were pre-designed to match the lift capacity and access reach of boom equipment, enabling safer maneuverability and more predictable install sequences. Importantly, the framing system allowed for ceiling panels to be temporarily clamped and adjusted into final position before fixing – making it possible to fine-tune their alignment to RL levels along the raked sections of the structure with minimal rework.
Installation progressed in a pre-sequenced order, with panels delivered and installed from east to west in line with the program schedule. When conflicts with existing structural steel elements were encountered, minor on-site adjustments could be made quickly and efficiently, ensuring the framing installation remained on track without major disruptions.
The outcome was a precisely coordinated ceiling solution that met both the visual and structural demands of the project—delivered with a level of speed and adaptability that would not have been achievable with conventional framing approaches.
