| 107 Crowe Construction & Associates BUILDING Local firm’s innovative gallery project The Mahara Gallery project, now known as Toi Mahara, involved renovating and extending a building dating back to 1976. Levin-based construction company Crowe Construction & Associates has recently clinched gold in the Built Tourism and Leisure Project category for its exceptional work on the Mahara Gallery. The prestigious recognition highlights the firm’s commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable practices in the construction industry. “We approach every project with the philosophy of ‘doing a job once and right’,” says Ross Crowe, owner of Crowe Construction & Associates. “This award is a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise.” The Mahara Gallery project, now known as Toi Mahara, involved renovating and extending a building dating back to 1976. The result is a significant cultural hub for the Kapiti Coast, offering enhanced exhibition space and facilities that include a retail area, collection store and staff room. One of the standout features of the project is the innovative ‘black box’ galleries in the upstairs area. “Athfield Architects wanted to give Toi Mahara a distinct visual identity,” Ross explains. “The galleries are clad in large precast GRC panels that mimic the hands-on clay of a potter’s wheel, expressing the craft of making.” This unique design element posed its own set of challenges. “The building was designed to have an enclosed weathertight envelope before installing the GRC panels,” says Ross. “This approach allowed interior work to continue without delays, keeping us on schedule despite the complex design.” Sustainability was a key focus throughout the project. The team made a concerted effort to reuse existing materials where possible. “We took down the existing Rimu ceilings, refurbished them, and reinstalled them in select areas,” explains Ross. “This not only reused a beautiful and valuable material but also provided a link between Toi Mahara and its predecessor.”He says the gallery’s location in a busy public space required meticulous planning and execution. “Working within a live public space that needed to remain open for cars and pedestrians on all sides was one of our biggest challenges,” says Ross. “We had to constantly communicate and adapt our traffic management plan to keep safe walkways in place at all times.”Adding to the complexity was the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during construction. “We started the project at the end of another national lockdown,” Ross recalls. “This meant we had to procure long lead items well in advance to stick with timeframes and budgets. We also had to juggle subcontractors and contractors going down with Covid, which required constant adaptation.” T T Karen Phelps Despite these challenges, Crowe Construction & Associates delivered a building that not only met but exceeded expectations. The new Toi Mahara features four gallery spaces with varying levels of temperature, humidity, and security control. “This design minimised both capital and operating costs for the HVAC system while providing museum-grade environmental control,” explains Ross. “It’s a solution that satisfies loan requirements from institutions like Te Papa.”He says the success of the Mahara Gallery project is a reflection of Crowe Construction & Associates’ broader approach to construction. Founded in 1986, the company has been instrumental in shaping the structural landscape across Wellington and the North Island. Ross and his senior team visit each build daily, ensuring consistent quality and fast, effective problem resolution.“Our hands-on approach allows us to identify potential issues early and resolve them efficiently,” says Ross. “It’s about building trust and mutual respect among the contracting, design, and client teams. This focus on collaboration and quality is what sets us apart.”As Crowe Construction & Associates basks in the glow of the recent award it’s already looking ahead to future projects. “This recognition is wonderful,” says Ross, “but it’s also a reminder of the responsibility we have to continue delivering exceptional results for our clients.” PARAPARAUMU • WELLINGTON • LEVIN • Electrical Contracting and Project Management • Electrical Design & Planning Services • Air-Conditioning Install & Maintenance • Commercial Lighting & Switching • Electrical Maintenance & Periodic Inspections • BWOF and EWOF, IQP Accredited • Fire Alarm Systems & Emergency Lighting • Additions & Alterations • Free Quotes for any project PROUD TO SUPPORT CROWE CONSTRUCTION & ASSOCIATES www.brienelectrical.co.nz Freephone 0800 TEAMBRIEN Freephone 0800 832627 Always Professional, Always Reliable, Always Efficient NEBULITE WELLINGTON 5 Manchester Street, Paraparaumu 04 298 3736 | info@nebulitewellington.co.nz W I NDOW AND DOOR S O L U T I ONS ® We have a proud history of supplying our customers with high quality aluminium windows & doors.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=