ADJELEIAN ALLEN RUBELI LIMITED
CONSULTING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

Ben Franklin Place
( formerly Nepean Civic Square)

Ben Franklin Place is a multi-purpose complex including an office building, Council Chamber, a 1000 seat theater and a library. It also includes an outdoor skating rink. It was originally built as the Nepean City Hall. The four components are connected through a 4 storey high glazed atrium. The complex includes a variety of structural systems: reinforced concrete framing for the office building and library, loadbearing masonry, concrete and structural steel for the theater, and concrete and structural steel for the Council Chamber. The atrium has an exposed, large span steel frame, supported on sliding bearings on the adjacent structures. Special design features for the Theatre included the design and detailing of the orchestra pit and stage lift, catwalks for the rigging system and light system. Structural design of the theatre was fully coordinated with the acoustical consultant and included curved masonry walls following specific shapes.