The University of Otago says its University Plaza building is safe, despite cracks forming in the Oamaru stone facade.
The discovery of cracks in the building, which is connected to the western end of Forsyth Barr Stadium, comes after faults, including noise leaking from the gym to office space, were discovered in the first two years following its completion at the end of 2011.
The building is called the University Plaza and houses Unipol gym and the university's language centre and foundation year.
University chief operating officer Stephen Willis said cracks had been discovered in sections of the Oamaru stone front facade at the northern end of the building.
Exterior cracks had also been found in the pre-cast concrete beams in the southwest corner of the building, Mr Willis said.
The faults did not make the building unsafe, he said.
''All new buildings are expected to have a settling-in period and no structural matters have stopped the building being used.''
Contractors, consultants and the university were working together to investigate a cause and solution to the cracks in the Oamaru stone.
''As an initial step, the university is asking for the smaller cracks to be fixed under the building's warranty.
''Because the cause of the larger cracks in the Oamaru stone is still being investigated, who pays will depend on where fault lies, if indeed any party is at fault.''
The university was also examining ways to keep the Oamaru stone along the top of the building cleaner, which could include building a parapet to stop birds from messing up the stone. The parapet would be paid for by the university.
Aurecon structural engineers had assessed the cracks in the concrete and believed they were created by concrete shrinkage within the guidelines in the building code for expected shrinkage while concrete dries out fully.
They have recommended applying sealant to the concrete and the university would pay for that work as part of routine maintenance.
At this stage, the parties hoped the work will be completed during the Christmas break.
The cost of the work was yet to be calculated.
Asked if the university was happy with the work carried out by the main contractor on the building, Mr Willis said Naylor Love ''had been and is working with the university to resolve the issues'', a statement confirmed by Naylor Love Dunedin manager Ian Mckie.