Ōpōtiki College needed a number of temporary school buildings to replace classrooms that were no longer fit for purpose while new permanent classrooms were being built. With minimal disruption to learning a key priority, main contractors Livingstone Building, working with architects Designgroup Stapleton Elliot (DGSE), had a very tight timeframe to deliver the project. By specifying the StopDigging groundscrew foundation system, they were able to reduce time needed for foundation installation, helping to deliver the project on time. 

“We required a very quick foundation solution for eight relocatable buildings and a relocatable ablutions block,” explains architect Genevieve Talbot, DGSE. “Screw piles made the most sense due to the temporary nature of the project, and the incredibly short timeframes.”

The system needed to be quick to install, minimise disruption to the school, and suit the existing subfloor structure of the relocatable buildings. The Livingstone team advised DGSE of a large Bay of Plenty education project which they had recently delivered successfully using StopDigging's groundscrew foundation system. After doing their own research to confirm its site and programme specific suitability, DGSE decided to specify the system for the project.

The StopDigging groundscrew pile foundation system works as a cantilever pile foundation suitable for all types of transportable buildings. The system mitigates poor ground conditions, without the groundworks typically required. When buildings are relocated, the screws can be easily removed and used again in future, making it a low impact, zero waste system ideal for temporary buildings like these relocatable classrooms.

StopDigging worked with the architects and contractors to determine the groundscrew specifications to suit the ground conditions and transportable building. “Tim from StopDigging and his team went out of their way in terms of being available to discuss the project and what the client was requiring,” says Livingstone Project Manager Sam Dunn. “They went to the storage yard and checked and measured all the bearers so there weren’t any issues when it came to landing them, and they got it 100% accurate.”

The installation process was quick and straightforward with the team installing the SGC89X2500  adapter screws for building foundations and SGC76X2000 adapter screws for deck piles in a tight timeframe. “The part I found most impressive was how fast it moved the project along,” says Sam. “One minute they were installing the piles, and the next minute we had landed nine modular buildings and had started installing the decks connecting them all up.” 

“The site was kept clean, there was no need to remove excess soil or get concrete and pump trucks in, and once the pile was installed it could be built on straight away with no waiting for concrete to cure,” adds Sam. “I couldn’t be more impressed with Tim, his team, and the screw pile system.”

Choosing to use the groundscrew foundation system helped DGSE and Livingstone Building deliver the project in a very tight timeframe — ultimately ensuring the school had the temporary classrooms they needed as quickly as possible, and with minimal disruption.

“This was a very successful project which was completed on time, and worked in with the incredibly tight time frame,” says Genevieve. “The screw piles will be easily removed when the relocatables are removed, and the screw piles can then be reused wherever the units are next installed. This is a huge benefit of this foundation system in terms of sustainability and practicality.”