Project showcase

Design project: Sistema Plastics headquarters

 

Architect: Woodhams Meikle Zhan Architects

Client/developer: Sistema Plastics Limited

Project name/address: 15 Te Tiki Rd, Māngere, Auckland

Award received: Supreme Award (NZ Property Council,2017)

 

The Sistema headquarters project, designed by Woodham Meikle Zhan Architects (,WMZA), at the NZ Property Council’s 2017 annual awards won the industrial category award and outshone the competition to take the Supreme Award.

The NZ Property Council’s annual awards carry considerable weight in New Zealand’s property industry, with awards across more than ten categories. As its name suggests, the Supreme Award won by WMZA’s Sistema headquarters project is the highest honour and attracts widespread attention. Particularly noteworthy is that WMZA executive director Feng Zhan also serves as vice-president of NZCBIA. The Sistema headquarters project is a source of pride for NZCBIA and, even more so, for New Zealand’s Chinese community!

Located near Auckland International Airport, the Sistema headquarters project is a new manufacturing, research and office centre designed for Sistema Plastics. As Sistema’s New Zealand headquarters, the centre is a world-leading plastics manufacturing base equipped with advanced technology.

According to a WMZA representative, the 55,000-square-metre building includes 44000 square metres of production and automated storage space, 3300 square metres of high-specification offices, 1600 square metres of production offices, and a 3000-square-metre plant area providing essential services and supporting equipment for the automated production lines. It fully demonstrates Sistema’s innovative spirit and approach as a global industry leader. The centre will also provide 535 parking spaces, including 386 for staff and 149 for office administration staff and visitors.

The Sistema headquarters project is a successful example of collaboration between Sistema, architectural firm WMZA and contractor Haydn & Rollett Construction. WMZA provided a full architectural service, including concept design, detailed drawings and construction administration.

Launched in 2014 and completed at the end of 2016, the project was the first building completed under the comprehensive development plan for Auckland International Airport’s new industrial precinct. Feng Zhan said: “This project demonstrates that high-quality commercial and industrial developments can be delivered in New Zealand through careful, appropriate urban and architectural design, high-quality building materials and successful management of the construction process.”

 

SugarTree Centro apartment development

 

Developer: Lily Nelson Centro LP

Project address: 145 Nelson Street, Auckland City

Awards received: NZCBIA Excellence in Development Award and Excellence in Collaboration Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

The SugarTree Centro apartment development by Lily Nelson Centro LP took top honours at the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence Awards. Its outstanding planning and on-time delivery earned it the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence in Development Award, sponsored by Bank of New Zealand to recognise high-quality, profitable and sustainable developments.

The SugarTree project began in 2012, with the developer seeking to let people enjoy urban convenience while escaping the city’s bustle and experiencing the relaxation and comfort of nature. This ambition to give Aucklanders an urban lifestyle offering the best of both worlds planted the seed for Lily Nelson Centro’s SugarTree development. The distinctive three-stage project skilfully combines apartments, entertainment and workspaces, with nearly 700 apartments, two levels of parking, almost 8000 square metres of commercial amenities, and a rooftop sky garden clubhouse.

Completing the development in the rapidly changing market of 2016–2017 required highly creative thinking. The project management team sought a wide range of views, assessed trends and updated its design and delivery methods, quickly adjusting its output to suit the market.

The project brought together many outstanding professionals. From concept planning, technical design and architecture to construction management and a successful handover, it reflected the team’s collective efforts and contributions:

• Project planning: making sound judgements based on property market conditions, starting small before moving to larger stages, and tackling easier work before harder tasks;
• Interior layouts: investing considerable time early on to pool ideas and research market demand;
• Apartment specifications: sparing no expense to lift standards and give residents a high-quality living experience;
• Partners: trusting and supporting one another, bringing their individual strengths to a shared effort for the project;
• Marketing team: establishing an in-house team during a downturn in Auckland’s market, enabling the developer to control its own market timing and seize opportunities;
• Building partners: maintaining strict oversight, ensuring quality, controlling costs and honouring delivery deadlines.

SugarTree Centro can be described as a successful mixed-use apartment and commercial development in Auckland’s CBD, and an exemplary partnership between Chinese investment and New Zealand professional teams. Close collaboration between developer Lily Nelson Centro LP, building team Babbage Consultants and property manager Crockers Property Group helped SugarTree Centro gain further recognition at the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence Awards, receiving the Excellence in Collaboration Commendation.

 

Apollo Square Stage 2

 

Developer: Rosedale Apartments Ltd 

Main contractor: New Concept Construction Ltd 

Structural contractor: Orient Construction Ltd 

Project address: 40 Rosedale Rd, Rosedale, Auckland

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Development Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Apollo Square marks the beginning of a new lifestyle experience in Albany on the North Shore.

The second stage of Apollo Square is a medium-sized commercial building of approximately 6000 square metres, featuring 15 commercial premises, a boutique hotel with 64 rooms, more than 100 parking spaces, and leisure and garden recreation areas. Construction began in 2017 and was completed in January 2019.

The entire project uses precast concrete panel construction and includes one level of basement parking, delivering high construction standards and easy maintenance.

Orient Construction Ltd carried out the concrete works from the basement foundations and main structure through to the outdoor hard landscaping. Strict quality control and programme management throughout the development ensured that the project was completed on time, to the required quality and scope. Its commitment to quality, scope, deadlines and safety, alongside its emphasis on reputation, collaboration, the environment and hygiene, earned unanimous praise from local industry peers. The project consequently received the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence in Development Commendation.

Particularly commendable was that, despite rising construction costs, settlement still proceeded at the presale prices.

 

Karaka Grove

 

Developer: Anson & Project NZ Group (APG) 

Project address: 59 Karaka Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Development Nomination Award (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Karaka Grove is in a well-connected part of Takapuna, within the zones for three prestigious schools: Westlake Boys High School, Westlake Girls High School and Takapuna Grammar School. Smales Farm technology park and the busway station are within walking distance. However, the neighbourhood had long seen little development, with many larger sites still underused. How to make full use of the land while meeting market demand was another challenge facing the project team.

The introduction of the Auckland Unitary Plan gave the project team many options: compact standalone homes, townhouses and even low-rise apartments all became possible. The team repeatedly evaluated 7–8 schemes before choosing a lower-density mix of compact standalone homes and townhouses, with 4 home types delivered across two stages. Although this appeared not to maximise land use, it ensured the homes would appeal to most market segments and avoided an oversupply of any single type.

Karaka Grove’s location in an established neighbourhood, immediately adjoining more than 20 households, also posed many infrastructure challenges. For example, 4 power poles needed removal or replacement and two transformers required upgrading, potentially interrupting electricity to more than a hundred nearby households and schools. The project team managed relations with neighbours well, with no complaints throughout the process.

The project management and construction teams worked closely together, progressing work on multiple fronts. The first stage was ultimately completed a month ahead of schedule, while public utility lines and roads were successfully finished during a window between the first and second stages. The project also received the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence in Development Nomination Award.

 

Rolleston College, Christchurch

 

Architect: ASC Architects

Project address: 632 Springston Rolleston Road, Rolleston, Canterbury

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Design Award (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

The Rolleston College project in Christchurch was one of four Ministry of Education school projects won by a public–private partnership team formed by ASC Architects and Hawkins Construction. With total investment of NZ$300,000,000, it is the Ministry’s largest investment project to date.

Rolleston College was completed and opened in 2017. Covering 11,100 square metres, it features state-of-the-art teaching facilities and has a 5-star green building rating. The school accommodates 1800 students and adopts the latest educational approaches, placing greater emphasis on community, collaboration and communication in learning. Its design therefore emphasises welcoming and inviting the surrounding community: the Whare, a Māori-style building, is embraced by the building’s “arms” to convey welcome. Visual connections extend this human-centred feel into the entrance hall, creating the sense of entering a learning “community”. Carefully selected materials reference traditional Māori and Pacific building methods. The architects connected a café, library and teaching theatre to the hall, creating a space for creativity, communication and resolving questions.

The architects carefully planned the learning spaces to support varied teaching approaches and encourage openness and connectivity. Their edges flow seamlessly into the building’s circulation hubs and outdoor learning areas, creating opportunities to learn and play in a range of settings. Irregular internal wall layouts create nooks and recesses intended to give users a greater sense of energy, interest and movement. Sliding glass doors and movable walls allow spaces to open up and become more transparent. 

The architects deliberately gave the wings housing the learning spaces a distinctive design and made them somewhat smaller than standard dimensions, allowing natural light to penetrate more effectively. Full-height glazed doors and windows create transparency and clear sightlines. The spaces will be illuminated particularly during after-school and evening use.

The project won the Excellence in Design Award at the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence Awards. Sponsored by Hampton Jones, the award promotes high-quality, innovative design.

Nixon Studio

 

Architect: Arch Group

Project address: 29 Nixon Street, Grey Lynn

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Design Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Set among trees on the city fringe, Nixon Studio creates a new home for an architectural practice while actively championing the use of new building technologies and materials.

Prefabricated laminated timber was chosen for the intermediate floor, with its natural timber underside left exposed to explore its potential in texture, structural performance and sustainability. The stairs use the same material, drawing attention to their exposed edges and the stairwell’s central wall so that structural timber surfaces feature throughout the building. From the street, occupants are guided inside through a cobbled entrance or the garage. A green wall, car lift and sensor lighting further enhance the building’s sustainability.

The building’s form follows its commercial function. Exploration of prefabricated materials shaped both its interior and exterior design. Precast concrete panels were chosen for the northern and southern elevations, serving as fire walls while providing structural strength and speed of installation, as well as the option of future vertical expansion.

Black structural steel is woven throughout the building, creating cohesion through variations in rhythm, while differing column positions introduce spatial asymmetry.

Overall, the combination of materials creates an industrial feel and reinforces the designers’ identity.

 

Archiland Office

 

Architect: Archiland, Auckland architectural practice

Project address: 50 Pollen Street, Ponsonby

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Design Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Archiland Office is a refurbishment of Archiland’s Auckland offices. The design team showed exceptional creativity and a practical, hardworking approach, using traditional materials to explore fluidity and spatial quality and transform a dilapidated office and warehouse into a thoroughly contemporary design.

Under intense budget pressure, the studio carefully explored how to make the most of minimal funds to create a valuable work of art. Detailed research into materials and costs, in-house fabrication using existing equipment, and voluntary contributions from designers ultimately produced a stunning result worthy of becoming an industry classic. Traditional New Zealand timber was used for the façade, with digital parametric design techniques creating a curved, flexible and contemporary outer layer.

For the interior design, the designers devoted considerable effort to researching material costs, finding new possibilities through adaptable use of materials requiring no paint finish.

 

Rose Garden Stage 1

 

Main construction contractor: CMP Construction

Project address: Albany Lakes Reserve, Auckland

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Construction and Project Management Award (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Rose Garden apartments occupy an outstanding lakeside location in Albany, an easy stroll from Westfield shops and supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants and cafés, and close to amenities including Massey University, Albany Stadium Pool and the tennis centre. Developed by New Zealand Rose Gardens Development Ltd, it is Nanjing Dadi Construction Group’s first New Zealand project. It was designed by NZ Architects and built by CMP Construction (NZ).

 

The project comprises 201 apartments, 17 retail premises and 205 parking spaces across two basement levels. In 2019, CMP Construction completed the first stage, worth approximately NZ$90,000,000, comprising 6 separate 7-storey buildings. These surround a large landscaped courtyard and a 250-metre public green corridor, creating a distinctive and attractive setting.

 

CMP Construction worked closely with the client and design team to establish rigorous project management processes that enabled smooth delivery. Significant design improvements included replacing precast concrete external walls with timber framing and external cladding panels with a paint-free, concrete-look finish.

 

The project was built under a fast-track process, with the structure divided into separate sections for approval to keep construction progressing smoothly. This required very close collaboration between the contractor and consultants, as well as the CMP team’s ability to respond to design changes.

 

Consent approval delays and changes to drawings and specifications made the overall programme highly complex, but CMP successfully completed all construction within the contract period. The project also faced many challenges that made the budget difficult to control. However, the CMP team used strong management systems to control and prevent financial problems or unforeseen situations. The project consequently won the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence in Construction and Project Management Award, sponsored by KOHLER.

 

Northbridge Retirement Village Stage1

 

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Project manager: N – Compass

Project address: 45 Akoranga Dr, Northcote, Auckland 

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Construction and Project Management Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

N-Compass was appointed project manager for the retirement apartment development in March 2015. The three-stage project involves developing three new apartment buildings and demolishing existing buildings to improve the community and its facilities.

 

Early in construction, N-Compass encountered difficulties with the on-site contractor’s health and safety practices. However, sustained oversight by N-Compass led to significant improvement.

 

N-Compass maintained rigorous management, holding daily pre-start safety meetings and fortnightly site reporting and meetings. The first stage was completed within budget. By 2019, the project had successfully progressed to its second stage, with tenders being sought for the third.

 

In 2019, the project received the KOHLER-sponsored NZCBIA Excellence in Construction and Project Management Commendation.

Seascape Apartment Showroom

 

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Main construction contractor: LiveFirm Construction

Project address: 81 Customs St East, Auckland

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Construction and Project Management Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

LiveFirm Construction was the main contractor for the refurbishment and strengthening of Shundi Group’s Seascape Apartment sales showroom and offices. Covering more than 500 square metres, the works cost two million New Zealand dollars. Construction began in October 2018. The first-stage sales showroom was completed and opened in February 2019, followed by the second-stage offices in April 2019.

 

Construction faced several major challenges:

1. Seismic strengthening of a protected heritage building: built in 1876, the existing building is one of the oldest in Auckland’s waterfront precinct and had undergone numerous alterations and extensions. Strengthening it to meet current seismic requirements posed substantial challenges for both design and construction management.
2. Heritage conservation and modernisation: the existing exterior walls and many interior building elements were protected, requiring painstaking patience and craftsmanship. This placed stringent demands on programme and cost control.
3. Fixed price and handover dates: refurbishment costs are extremely difficult to control. Signing a fixed-price contract requires both acceptance of risk and close collaboration between the owner, designers and contractor. The project was completed in two stages, each with a fixed deadline, adding to the challenge.

 

To meet these challenges, LiveFirm Construction allocated its resources carefully, worked closely with design consultants, actively helped the owner control costs, and collaborated with the council’s heritage team and heritage architect to conserve and repair protected elements. The project ultimately met its programme, budget and quality targets, passing the council building department’s completion inspection and the heritage team’s inspection.

The Edgerley Apartment

 

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Partners: Rene Lin (Kingstons) / Leuschke Group Architects / CMP Construction / Envivo 

Project address: 14–18 Edgerley Ave, Epsom

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Collaboration Award (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

The Edgerley won the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence in Collaboration Award, sponsored by Lane Neave to recognise collaboration among NZCBIA members on construction projects.

 

The development comprises 81 high-end urban apartments in the bustling greater Newmarket commercial precinct. At the end of quiet Edgerley Ave, a cul-de-sac beside State Highway 1, it combines the efficiency, convenience and tranquillity of urban living. It also falls within several highly rated school zones and enjoys access to public amenities, making it a rare prime location.

 

Funded and developed by Chinese developer Hermitage Group, the project was delivered through collaboration between many prominent industry consultants and contractors. Most team members were also NZCBIA members: main contractor CMP Construction Ltd, Rene Lin of project management firm Kingstons Project Management, architect Leuschke Group, and surveying firm Envivo Ltd. Their longstanding, stable working relationships, both within and outside the association, provided extensive collaborative experience that helped The Edgerley progress smoothly and in an orderly manner.

 

Throughout The Edgerley’s development and construction, problems were resolved promptly and effectively through the collective efforts of all parties. For example, during the initial detailed design stage, Leuschke clearly identified potential construction impacts on a neighbouring heritage building. Before work began, CMP proposed an alternative method for constructing the structural walls, while Envivo quickly applied for land titles to enable the owner to settle. Rene at Kingstons coordinated and communicated across the team, enabling them to resolve each issue successfully.

 

In April 2018, collaboration across all parties brought the apartment project, costing approximately NZ$30,000,000 or more, to successful completion. It met the planned timeframe and budget, passed quality inspections and was handed over to the owner for operation. This marked both a successful project and an endorsement of a collaborative development model, adding to the team’s experience.

 

Onehunga Bay Terraces

 

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Partners: Avanda Group / Creative Arch Group / Orient Construction

Project address: 22 George Terraces, Onehunga

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Collaboration Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Onehunga Bay Terraces was developed by Avanda Group, which is committed to creating quality Auckland homes. It comprises 38 three-storey townhouses and 6 apartment buildings. Its excellent location provides ideal access to Auckland city, the international airport and motorways.

 

All exterior and party walls are cast-in-situ concrete, with careful consideration given to noise, waterproofing and fire protection. Dedicated exterior and landscape design further ensures the project’s high quality. This benefited from Avanda Group’s overall coordination and the Creative Arch team’s timely collaboration, while Orient Construction Ltd gained extensive experience tackling complex concrete works.

 

As main contractor for the Onehunga Bay townhouse project, Orient Construction’s highly skilled project management team ensured seamless collaboration with other contractors, architects, engineers and the client, making construction smooth and efficient. This collective effort earned the project the 2019 NZCBIA Excellence in Collaboration Commendation.

NZBIM modular systems

 

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Project company: NZBIM modular systems

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Innovation Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Fit out a house without plastering or painting? Lay tiles without applying cement? Fit out a bathroom in an hour? NZBIM, a leader in building information modelling, can do it. Its breakthrough technology, an NZBIM modular interior fit-out system suited to New Zealand buildings, was first exhibited at 2019 NZIBES.

 

CNYD’s modular timber-framed wall system was another breakthrough technology showcased at 2019 NZIBES. Through the joint efforts of CNYD and Auckland architectural practice Archiland, the modular wall panels passed testing and certification against New Zealand’s numerous standards. This means a locally well-accepted timber structure, more substantial materials, more efficient installation and lower construction costs.

 

The 2019 NZCBIA Excellence Awards judges unanimously agreed that NZBIM’s innovative modular design effectively addresses New Zealand’s longstanding demand for small-scale, low-cost construction, such as infill housing. Based on building information modelling (BIM) technology, its integrated approach creates a complete modular building scheme and straightforward, practical solutions.

 

Owner Master

 

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Project company: Owner Master

Award received: NZCBIA Excellence in Innovation Commendation (NZCBIA, 2019)

 

Against a backdrop of increasingly widespread participation in property development, Owner Master drew on market characteristics and the specific needs of homeowners and project businesses, including architects, project managers and builders, to develop and launch an open, functional property platform: the Owner Master online project management system (https://www.ownermaster.com/).

 

The Owner Master online project management system fills a gap in the self-build housing market, establishing the first collaboration platform for homeowners and contractors. It makes matching their needs smoother while bringing greater transparency and control to the entire self-build process.

 

The 2019 NZCBIA Excellence Awards judges noted that the platform integrates every stage from development and construction through to acceptance and handover, providing a one-stop platform for inexperienced developers. With a clear direction for development, it has the potential to become a core tool in the construction ecosystem for Chinese developers. The project also received the NZCBIA Excellence in Innovation Commendation in 2019.