The new Mitsubishi dealership by Thomas Brothers formed part of a site-wide redevelopment at 65 Dobney Avenue, Wagga Wagga. Thomas Brothers has operated on Dobney Avenue since the 1980s, and the new building was part of their 80 year anniversary celebrations.
Capitalising on recent Council upgrades that improved access to the site, the new Mitsubishi showroom and workshop was designed as a state-of-the-art building.
SKCE (now Orion Group) provided complete structural engineering services for the redevelopment of the Thomas Bros Mitsubishi site at 65 Dobney Avenue, Wagga Wagga. The scope covered structural design and documentation of the new showroom, workshop, and staff amenities building, along with the integration of existing structures into the new layout.
The project required detailed design of reinforced concrete slabs, steel framing systems, and interface details between new and existing buildings.
Key design components:
- Clear spans and tall glazed walls
- Complex roof structure to suit how the building changes along its length
- Fire-rated boundary walls
- Connection design for new and retained building interfaces
Structural design for a large steel framed building to accommodate two entirely different spaces:
- Front showroom, which had to meet specific architectural requirements including large clear spans and fully glazed walls.
- Rear workshop, with a large steel framed portal structure, over a heavily loaded slab used to support vehicle hoists.
The design used dual-direction portal frames to achieve large, unobstructed spans across the showroom and workshop areas. This was critical for maintaining the open aesthetic of the Mitsubishi showroom glazing and display zones.
The portal frame system was carefully detailed for constructability and efficient connections, supporting quick and accurate assembly on site.
To minimise congestion at the column heads, pre-welded stubs were incorporated into the design. This approach simplified on-site assembly and reduced on-site welding requirements during construction.
Working closely with Noel Thomson Architecture and the client, the team ensured compliance with Mitsubishi’s corporate visual identity while maintaining cost efficiency andc onstructability with the use of local suppliers and materials.
Engineering Design
Thomas Brothers Mitsubishi Dealership – Wagga Wagga, NSW
SKCE (now Orion Group) delivered the full structural design for the Thomas Brothers Mitsubishi dealership in Wagga Wagga, including a new showroom, workshop, and amenities building. The design featured dual-direction portal frames to achieve wide, open spans and maintain Mitsubishi’s signature aesthetic. As well as optimising constructability and cost efficiency with the use of local suppliers and materials.
