84 | BUILDING N Cole Construction: Kristin School Unique school build wins big at awards Kelly Deeks Every once in a while a construction company, used to building all sorts of structures for a wide cohort of clients, is given the opportunity to pioneer the use of new building materials and processes in New Zealand. The multi-purpose sports facility at Kristen School in Auckland brought innovation in design, look and feel into a school campus space. Called Tūrama, this light and thoroughly ground-breaking project was designed by architects Collingridge & Smith Architects. And in the 2022 Master Builder’s NZ Commercial Projects Awards the stunning building took top honours in the Education Category, winning both a Gold and the Value Award for projects between $1-3million. Tony Hird, N Cole Construction’s Director describes the project as full of possibility and challenge resulting in a thoroughly satisfactory outcome, welcomed and now enjoyed by “The brief the school gave the architects was to design a multi-purpose indoor sports facility that doesn’t look like a sports hall and I think anyone looking at Tūrama will say that this has been achieved.” the community at Kristin School. “In nature it is a super-unique industrial style, unlike anything we have ever delivered for a school campus. We have a very long standing relationship with Kristin School which spans many decades” says Tony. Working within tight budgetary parameters was one of the challenges and informed the design process, however Tony says using the light-weight steel structure, unique cladding and large bi-folding doors, enabled a more substantial building to be built compared to more conventional stretch fabric sports solutions common in schools. “The brief the school gave the architects was to design a multi-purpose indoor sports facility that doesn’t look like a sports hall and I think anyone looking at Tūrama will say that this has been achieved.” The school wanted a structure that would let in daylight, stop wind and rain and be waterproof but not watertight. The translucent fibreglass cladding demanded precision setout and flashing details, while the bi-fold doors to the perimeter create an open flow between the surrounding spaces and sports field. “The unique bi-fold doors, used overseas in situations such as large stadiums, operate through hydraulic power.” Tony reflects the project went very well, with a strong collaborative approach and a great team of consultants, inputting to ensure its success. N Cole Construction takes on a lot of work in the education sector, state, private and integrated. It also services the general commercial sector. Tony is one of two directors of N Cole Construction. While he concentrates on securing and planning projects fellow-director Blake Ingram focusses on the construction side. And leading a company which traces its history back to 1932 when Sir Noel Cole founded it is a source of pride for Tony and Blake. “The impact and contribution this company has had now straddling 90 years, can’t be understated. It’s history is second-to-none. The name means something.” The company concentrates its activities mainly in Auckland and a little further north to Kaipara and at times south into the Waikato. Tony says, despite COVID, projects have gone well and future project commitments extend into the middle of next year. AUCKLAND DIVISION (FROM TARANAKI NORTH) PH: 09 212 8986 / 021 391 477 SOUTHERN DIVISION (FROM TARANAKI SOUTH) PH: 09 212 8986 INFO@SCREWPILESOLUTIONS.CO.NZ WWW.SCREWPILESOLUTIONS.CO.NZ SCREW PILE FOUNDATION SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT Underpinning Foundation Correction Raft Slab Piling Building Foundations Commercial Ecologically Sensitive Sites Furniture Footings Misplaced Pile Correction Temporary Structures Proudly supporting N Cole Construction
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