| 49 CONTRACTING NZ Windows No stock standard window install Sue Russell The glazing work at Rotorua’s Scion Innovation Hub – Te Whare Nui o Tuteata is second to none. Below, the team at the WAGANZ_Awards. Brett Wakerley, NZ Windows’ Commercial Manager, says the glazing work at Rotorua’s Scion Innovation Hub – Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, came with its fair share of challenges. “Each and every double glazed panel is unique. Every single one had to be designed and applied to the building in the right order, like a giant jigsaw puzzle.” The building is visually stunning and a fitting tribute to the innovative work Scion, formerly called the Crown Research Institute, undertakes. Designed by Architects RTA Studio and Irving Smith, and located on the edge of the redwood forest in Whakarewarewa Forest Park, the building sensitively combines technology with culture through the use of colour and form. Three towering ‘peaks’ constructed of glulam timber represent the three hapu of the region and welcome visitors to the entrance, while inside the cavernous atrium showcases an array of wood-fibre technologies. A visible framework of diagonally intersecting high-performing Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) structures soar up to the roof giving the building its structural integrity. To achieve the patterned effect, the inside glass panel on each unit was digitally printed in an array of colours and through the use of a structural glazing system, the whole outer shell of the building is constructed of glass panels. The glazed curtain walls reflect the forest canopy and celebrate the cultural significance of the land it is settled on. “Applying the glass panels to the building went very well with each unit lifted and fitted into place. We have in the past fitted smaller digitally printed panels in buildings before but nothing to this scale. “We are delighted with how it looks and it was a pleasure to be involved in such a ground-breaking build.” Inside, Scion Innovation Hub is home to an exhibition area, public café, reception and meeting rooms and links to laboratories and testing facilities. Te Whare Nui o Tuteata was officially opened by Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, the Hon Dr Megan Woods on March 31 last year. NZ Windows received industry recognition this year at the annual awards of the Window and Glass Association, taking out first place in the commercial glass art category over $101k category. “To win the category was wonderful but to then take out the overall supreme award was unbelievable. “I’m tremendously proud of all the team who worked on this project,” Brett says. Brett says that during the first Covid lockdown there were stops and starts that the company had to contend with. “Some commercial projects were challenged and put on hold but now there’s a building boom which is presenting its own challenges from a scheduling and logistics point of view however we’ve adapted well to these new conditions.” Brett says NZ Windows has another largescale structural glazed panel project, to be built in Tauranga, in the design phase. NZ Windows has branches in Auckland, Whitianga, Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatane an Wellington and manufactures Vantage Aluminium windows and doors. 116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui | For sales contact Roger Matthews - roger@farmerautovillage.co.nz - 029 222 3840 TOUGH. RUGGED. ADVANCED. THE NEW NISSAN NAVARA The New Nissan Navara is tougher and more rugged than ever before, combining a full suite of advanced safety technologies. Range from $41,990+orc Pro-4x Double Cab (pictured) from $67,990+orc Navara Pro-4X features: All terrain tyres | Darkened styling theme with red accenting | Black fender ares with red accenting | Black roof rails | Black 17” PRO4X alloy wheels | Black painted grille, side steps, door mirrors, door handles | Leather accented^ PRO-4X seats | Embroidered front seat PRO-4X logos with red-accent stitching | Stealth Grey exterior paint exclusively available on PRO-4X | 3,500kg maximum braked towing capacity across the range.*
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