Global firm chooses Stopdigging for
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Photos by @ramusstudio
RAMUS were asked to design and produce the world renowned permanent Laser, Light and Sound showknown as Illumina, located in the heart of Kingfisher Bay Resort K’gari (formerly Fraser Island).
Situated in a lakeside environment, the show presented a number of unique design and construction challenges, including no access for machinery, no on site concrete batching plant, poor ground conditions and an environmentally sensitive region on the border of a world heritage national park. RAMUS were looking for a foundation system that could meet all of these challenges when they came across the screw pile system provided by Stop Digging.
So why did we end up with Stop Digging? Firstly, it was cost effective compared to other systems on the market. The piles are hand driven using no heavy duty machinery, and so the team can access hard to reach places without causing any damage. Stop Digging were able to conduct efficient and cost effective on site non-destructive testing for the engineer to provide accurate information on real loading values. Furthermore, the construction team was able to pre-form the footings prior to getting the screw piles installed. This offered savings on programme but also meant that setting out was easier and more accurate for the screw pile locations. There was no need to make room for access for machinery, or for large lay down areas. From a design perspective, concrete footing sizes could also be reduced, lessening the environmental impact on the show design. All up, we could not find a reason not to use this ingenious system.
Adam Warburton
Senior Projects & Design Manager RAMUS
K’gari, formerly Fraser Island, is the largest sand island in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia.
When RAMUS, a global media and lighting design firm, needed a foundation system for their permanent Illumina laser, light, and sound show at Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari, they turned to Stop Digging! ground screws to overcome significant construction challenges. These included restricted access, poor ground conditions, and environmental sensitivities.
Fast, Cost-Effective Foundations Without Concrete or Heavy Machinery
Stop Digging!’s ground screws were chosen for their cost-effectiveness, minimal environmental impact, and ability to be installed without heavy machinery. They also allowed for accurate on-site testing and streamlined construction by enabling pre-formed footings and reducing concrete usage—ultimately making the project more efficient and sustainable.