| 69 T T Rosa Watson ‘Something special’ The Higgins Family Holdings head office in Palmerston North. Novak+Middleton ARCHITECTURE A state-of-the-art, green building in the heart of the Palmerston North industrial area has grabbed the attention of architecture industry leaders. The Higgins Family Holdings head office in the Northeastern industrial zone, has been shortlisted for the New Zealand Institute of Architects Western Architecture Awards. It was an intricate project with Novak+Middleton working on it in collaboration with a larger team of consultants and main contractor, locally based Colspec Construction, Novak+Middleton director Richard Middleton says. “There was a lot of intricate detail on that project, which I suspect with a different contractor might have been more challenging. They were prepared to go the distance to realise the vision. Everybody that was involved was working toward achieving that really good outcome.” Novak+Middleton is Wellington-based and was awarded the project having previously worked with the Higgins family on a personal project. He says the building has set a tone for the area. “If you take a drive around that area all you are largely going to see are big tin sheds. “The client was keen to set a standard for that area and break the mold in a way. You don’t have to have this kind of cookie cutter shed mentality.” Higgins Family Holdings had been a great client to work with. “It became apparent they were looking to do something that was a little bit special; that was a real reflection of them and the wider community. “That all resonated with what we as a practice hold dear. All the principles were aligned. “There’s so many things that influence a project … and we had a client that was interested in creating a building for that region that was exemplary.” There was also a desire to do something that was environmentally sustainable. “We suggested (following) the Green Star pathway, which is a recognized industry standard in sustainable construction and how a building performs.” The building is set to achieve a Green Star 4 Design and As-built rating for sustainability. “It’s a reflection of the client’s wanting to be a leader in the Manawatu. They’re a long-standing Manawatu family and they’ve contributed widely in a number of ways. “The exciting bit for the architect (is) … we get to create something that’s very special not only aesthetically but also is an amazing building to occupy and work in, as well as its contribution to the wider environment.” Novak+Middleton has been operating for 30 years and has enjoyed success at previous awards. Richard said entering the awards was important as it provided an opportunity to be judged by your peers and to see what others in the industry were doing. To enter the awards, firms submit work to be assessed by their peers in their region. They are reviewed and assessed by a jury, which comprises of up to four architects and a lay juror. Projects are shortlisted in various categories and the panel visits the sites. Winners are announced at an awards evening on June 16, before going on to be part of the New Zealand Institute of Architects national awards . Residential & Commercial Siteworks Mike Groube on 027 538 1850 or George Mikkelsen on 027 944 9317 36 Railway Rd, Palmerston North | admin@basesolutions.co.nz Proudly supporting Novak Middleton It’s Sustainable It’s Storing Carbon It’s Engineered Timber. Proud to be associated with Novak Middleton
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