Owned by the Registered Master Builders Association, the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards is the only competition in New Zealand to showcase the contribution and innovation of the whole project team, the people, rather than just the building itself.
The size of the project is not what is important – the team collaboration and innovation, and what the team achieves together, are what these awards are all about.
The awards are open to all New Zealand-based commercial construction project partners – you do not need to be a Registered Master Builders member to enter.
All entrants nationwide are in to win for Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in their category, the National Category win, the Special Awards, the Value Awards, and the Supreme Award.
Sustainability Award National Category Winner
This award is based on the environmental features of the design and will only be awarded if deserved. It recognises the relationship our man-made buildings have with the environment and responsibility we have as an industry.
Project: APL
Entrant: Foster Group
Project Partners: BCD Group Ltd (Engineer), Foster Construction (Construction Company), Jasmax (Architect/Designer)
Owned by Profile Group Ltd
This industrial plant includes a 50,000sqm state-of-the-art glass factory, other manufacturing facilities, offices, and a two-story commercial kitchen. Measuring 437m long, the facility was the largest construction project undertaken in New Zealand between 2019 and 2021. Due to the sheer scale of the project, site manoeuvrability and management was challenging and needed careful management. Over 2,000 individuals worked on the project, with up to 400 people on-site at a time. The COVID lockdowns and accompanying supply chain disruption affected the build’s cost structure and timeline, but all trades collaborated to ensure the project was delivered on time and in-budget. Gaining 5-star Green Star certification, this project was designed and built to meet strict criteria. Standout sustainability aspects include 90% of construction waste being diverted from landfill, onsite ponds collecting water from the roof to be re-used, skylights reducing the need for artificial lighting, and timber being used to replace concrete where possible.
Judges’ comments
Sustainability was a major focus throughout this build, gaining a 5-star Green Star certification. Standout sustainability aspects included 90% of construction waste being diverted from landfill, collection and re-use of roof water, skylights reducing the need for artificial lighting, and timber replacing concrete where possible. With 20% of the site dedicated to wetland and riparian planting, enhanced ecology and water sensitive design principles were used to replicate natural water systems and recharge the wetlands basin. Collecting three million litres of water run-off annually, provides water for fire-fighting storage, toilets, and irrigation. To maximise natural light throughout the offices and a factory floor the size of six rugby fields – the building features 5,400 square metres of skylights, used to reduce the energy consumption from artificial lighting. Staged construction allowed the factory the luxury to “glaze itself”. With over 1500 insulated glass units that’s a significant reduction in carbon associated with transportation. The longest journey from raw glass to finished and installed unit was 900m, with the shortest distance being 90m.
Industrial Project Awards’ National Category Winner
Project: APL
Entrant: Foster Group
Project Partners: BCD Group Ltd (Engineer), Foster Construction (Construction Company), Jasmax (Architect/Designer)
Owned by Profile Group Ltd
Judges’ comments
This industrial plant was the largest construction project undertaken in New Zealand between 2019 and 2021. The 50,000 square metre state-of-the-art factory features manufacturing facilities, offices, and a two-storey commercial kitchen. The complete development equates to the size of the Central North Island township of Ohura. The sheer scale of the build saw over 2,000 individuals work on the project with around 400 people on-site each day. This required a huge amount of organisation and collaboration from all involved.
Civic Project Silver and special award
Project: Cambridge Police Hub
Entrant: Alaska Construction Interiors
Project Partners: Alaska Construction Interiors (Construction Company), Paua Architects (Architect/Designer), Tainui Group Holdings (Developer)
The Cambridge Police Hub, which has just opened, is unlike any other in New Zealand. It has been designed to meet the requirements of the police force, while also being open and inviting to the local community and reflecting the cultural identity of the local iwi. The station’s unique blend of materials includes brick, stone, aluminium, and Corten steel. The project faced significant challenges, as it needed to be completed before the lease on the current station expired. Despite disruptions to the supply chain, lockdowns, and complicated building work, the team successfully completed the project within the tight time frame. The team emphasised sourcing local materials wherever possible, to support the local economy and prioritise sustainability. The project was centred around the community, aiming to foster a sense of community ownership and pride.
Resene Commercial Fit Out Project Silver award
Project: Ōtorohanga District Council
Entrant: Unispace
Project Partners: Unispace (Architect/Designer/Construction Company/Project Manager)
Owned by Ōtorohanga District Council
This project saw the renovation of the Otorohanga District Council Building, which hadn’t seen any investment for over 30 years. Key activities consisted of base upgrades to future-proof the building, reconfiguring the interior to accommodate for long-term growth and fixing multiple ‘patchwork’ modifications. Challenges included a modest budget, fast work programme, hidden ceilings and concrete walls and supply chain disruption. Despite these challenges, the project team delivered the build with zero variations to the design. Sustainability was an important consideration, with the Council electing to refurbish the existing building, rather than demolish and rebuild, diverting significant waste from landfill. All of the existing electrical and HVAC were over 35 years old so replacing these has reduced emissions and given the building another 50 years of life.
Retail Project Silver Award
Project: Cambridge Retail – Swayne Rd
Entrant: RM Designs
Project Partners: Iline Construction (Construction Company), RM Designs (Architect/Designer)
This commercial building is the centre of a new residential community in Cambridge. It contains a supermarket, apartments, and a range of community amenities. The form is sympathetic to a local church, with a contemporary take on traditional materials, and textures and fittings have a hand-finished feel. While the budget and timeline were a challenge, this was not detrimental to the performance or aesthetics of the building. The three apartments included in the build were completed to a very high standard, particularly the fit-out which is a standout feature. Navigating covid lockdowns proved to be the biggest challenge. Trades and staff were coming from areas outside of Cambridge, some of those areas, such as Hamilton and Auckland were in lockdown while Cambridge was not. Work on site continued and alternative temporary solutions with staff were sorted, while other trades that were on site, diversified and learnt new trades.
