Seismic Solutions Limited

14/11/2025

At the Petone Settlers Museum, even the light standards are a piece of history. Tasked with restoring these corroded reinforced concrete icons, we faced a unique challenge: how to make them structurally safe for the future without altering their cherished character?

Our solution required a blend of critical thinking and respect for the past. In close collaboration with Duncan Commercial Construction, we engineered a clever, non-intrusive fix. We replicated the intricate historic details using lightweight concrete panels finished with a matching plaster system fixed to a new, robust steel core anchored into reinforced concrete foundations.

The best part? The work was completed efficiently without requiring the museum to close. This project exemplifies our commitment to delivering simple, practical, and structurally sound solutions for projects of all sizes.

Results below 👇 Can you tell which standards are new and which are the originals?

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28/07/2025

🏡✨ A Masterclass in Sustainable Design & Engineering ✨🏡

We’re proud to have engineered the structural bones of the Wunderbar Passive House – one of New Zealand’s few certified Passive Homes, designed in collaboration with Sang Architects. This project is a testament to what happens when cutting-edge engineering meets visionary design!

🔹 Key Innovations:
✓ Insulated reinforced concrete shear walls
✓ Insulated foundations and intricate thermally efficient details
✓ Suspended reinforced concrete floors
✓ Precision-crafted for unbeatable energy efficiency

Every challenge in creating this home only sharpened our resolve. The result? A high-performance sanctuary where sustainability and sophistication live in perfect harmony.

More than just a house – it’s proof that when you pair bold vision with expert engineering, extraordinary spaces come to life. 💡

15/01/2025

Bringing the Haunted Tavistock Hotel Back to Life (Ghosts Not Included... We Think!)

When our team at SSL took on the heritage-listed Tavistock Hotel, it felt like stepping onto a Hollywood horror movie set—complete with ghost stories and a dark, waterlogged underground cellar straight out of your nightmares. Picture us with flashlights, tiptoeing through the gloom, half expecting a ghost to yell, “Boo!”

But hey, we love a good dare. Tackling this incredibly complex building—armed with almost no drawings—was equal parts terrifying and thrilling. With a committed owner-builder client, we did the impossible: countless site visits, crafting a detailed 3D model, and developing a seismic strengthening plan that even ghosts would be proud of.

Fast forward to today, and seeing the Tavistock restored to its former glory, buzzing with locals and visitors, put a huge smile on our faces. It’s moments like these that make us feel like underappreciated superheroes—the kind who save the day but leave the glory to the building. (Cue dramatic exit music.)

13/11/2024

Made a splash at the H2O Xtream project site, diving deep into the thrilling world of ceiling seismic restraints! That’s two massive pool sites in two weeks—but, alas, not a swimsuit in sight, only my trusty hard hat. Last week, we took the plunge at Te Ngaengae Pool and Fitness, checking seismic restraints for electrical cabinets. Our mission? Keeping everything rock-solid for our amazing clients.

12/11/2024

Another addition to our multi-unit residential design portfolio.

06/10/2024

Very early in the morning, a surprising jolt shook Lower Hutt, registering a Mw 5.7 earthquake that even woke me, a notorious deep sleeper. Despite living in a sturdy single-story timber house with charming brick cladding (my personal favourite!), we still heard some unsettling squeaks.

Curious minds took to social media, comparing this quake to the design standards for new buildings. My son asked the same question, prompting me to dive into some quick research on recorded peak ground acceleration (PGA) for a clearer picture. PGA is a vital measure for our comparison.

According to the NZTA Bridge Manual, the design PGAs for Hutt Central are calculated at 0.09g for a 25-year return period (SLS EQ) and 0.35g for a 500-year return period (ULS EQ). The recent quake recorded PGAs of 0.12g at SOCS in Hutt Central, 0.09g at SEVS in Seaview, and 0.06g at LHBS in Normandale. This indicates that the earthquake was on par with a SLS event, so structural damage was unlikely.

While we narrowly escaped this time, it’s crucial to remember that surviving one quake doesn’t guarantee safety in a stronger future quake. My career in earthquake engineering began after witnessing the devastation a major quake can inflict.

26/09/2024

The Heritage Petone Court House, a cherished landmark, has faced decades of neglect, overshadowing its historical significance. Fortunately, Seismic Solutions Limited was engaged by Peking Trust to restore this beautiful building to its former glory. We are proud to have designed a cost-effective and practical seismic strengthening scheme that not only enhances safety but also preserves the building's heritage fabric.

Our approach was deeply respectful of the intricate details that define the Court House's character. Collaborating closely with Heritage New Zealand and building control authorities, we ensured that our solutions met the requirements of all stakeholders involved. The builder’s craftsmanship played a crucial role in this project, showcasing the dedication and skill needed to maintain the integrity of the building while implementing modern safety measures.

As we witness the Court House's transformation, it stands as a testament to the harmony of historic preservation and contemporary engineering. This project reaffirms our commitment to protecting and revitalizing New Zealand's architectural heritage, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the beauty and history of this remarkable structure. Together, we are breathing new life into the Heritage Petone Court House, preserving its story for years to come.

24/09/2024

Kākāriki – A Blend of Sustainability and Urban Living in Lower Hutt

Structural steel walkways and staircases in the middle connect the two three-storey high timber/steel building blocks. The building blocks and walkway structure are seismically isolated to avoid torsional effects. Braced timber framed walls and steel portal frames were used to provide lateral bracing, with clear load paths and simple reliable connections/detailing. A Geogrid reinforced gravel raft and stiffened raft foundations were used to limit liquefaction-induced differential settlements. Clever, clear, and robust details were used to suit a very busy tight urban site and to allow pre-fabrication of floor/wall units to increase efficiency and allow fast construction.

24/09/2024

SSL is really proud to see our structural design coming to reality.

SOLD!! | We’re thrilled to announce that Unit 10 in our Kakariki Development on Knights Road, Lower Hutt has officially sold! 🎉

With its prime location and stunning design, Kakariki is setting a new standard for modern, sustainable living in the heart of the city. Congratulations to the new homeowners! We can’t wait to handover this beautiful apartment 🏡

01/07/2022

We have been back to one of our recently completed projects. It was a pleasure to work with StraightUp Building Limited and Greenhaus Architects Limited on this multi-unit development project.

07/04/2022

We are delighted to see work underway on Wunderbar passive house designed by Seismic Solutions Limited.

We hit a milestone in our building journey! 🥳

Today we had our traditional "Spatenstich" (ground-breaking ceremony). Nevermind the sandals 😆

Our constructors are passive house specialist Izodom New Zealand, building for passive house certification and Homestar 8 or above. Keeping wastage to the minimum is one of the many sustainability goals.

We look very much forward to driving up week by week to see the progress of our beautiful home. 🏎

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07/04/2022

Earthquake loading standards have changed overtime in New Zealand and many existing buildings may not meet the seismic resistance requirements of the present day. Councils around New Zealand use the earthquake-prone building (EPB) methodology to identify and require an assessment from owners of the buildings falling under any of the following three profile categories.

A: buildings with a significant amount of unreinforced brick, block, or stone masonry (URM)
B: buildings built before 1976, which are 12 m tall or higher
C: buildings built before 1935 that do not fall into profile A

Hutt Valley is a sediment-filled basin fanning from Taita to Petone, with Wellington fault running along the base of its Western hills, Otaki fault running through Western Hills, and Whitemans Valley fault through its Eastern suburbs. Additionally, liquefaction risk is high in areas around Petone, Seaview, and reduces in suburbs farther away from the shore towards hills.