34 | Thorn Architecture Studio / Lobell Construction The floor system others look up to The SPEEDFLOOR® Steel Joist System from Rollforming Services Ltd is proud to support Lobell Construction and Ian Thorn Architects. Call 09 303 4825 Call 09 303 4825 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Building warehouses with street appeal The new industrial development on Ingram Road, Hamilton, have been designed as flexible industrial units capable of accommodating a wide range of future tenants. T T Karen Phelps “Good solid construction that will stand the test of time was important because the warehouses needed to be multi-use and adaptable.” A partnership between Thorn Architecture Studio and Lobell Construction spanning more than two decades continues to deliver high-quality industrial developments across the Waikato. “It’s been a very fruitful relationship. I know Lobell Construction’s honesty, workmanship and commitment to its clients. We work well together as a team,” says architect Ian Thorn. One of the latest collaborations is a new industrial development on Ingram Road, Hamilton, where four multi-purpose warehouses have been constructed for a developer client. The project builds on an existing relationship with the client with Thorn Architecture Studio and Lobell Construction having previously delivered three warehouses on a smaller site in the same street. Located close to Hamilton Airport, Ian says the project presented a number of design challenges that required careful planning and consultation. Although height restrictions were not an issue, the development had to be positioned back from the airport boundary, while the inclusion of office space meant additional acoustic treatment was required to minimise aircraft noise and provide a comfortable working environment. The project also required approval from the airport authority before construction could proceed. Geotechnical investigations confirmed the site was free of contaminants, allowing the project to move ahead without the need for remediation works. The client also wanted the development to have a strong visual identity rather than appearing as a standard warehouse complex. To achieve this Thorn Architecture Studio incorporated architectural features including a prominent entrance canopy and distinctive panelling around the upper-level office windows, creating a clear contrast between the office and warehouse spaces and giving the buildings greater street presence. The warehouses were designed as flexible industrial units capable of accommodating a wide range of future tenants. “Good solid construction that will stand the test of time was important because the warehouses needed to be multi-use and adaptable,” says Ian. He says successful projects rely on every member of the project team working together from concept through to completion. “We work in partnership with clients, builders, councils, engineers and subcontractors, navigating challenges and working collaboratively to deliver the finished result,” says Ian. Ian established Thorn Architecture Studio in the late 1970s and has built a reputation across New Zealand for designing projects ranging from homes and small commercial developments to medical centres, daystay hospitals, radiology departments, GP practices, educational facilities, warehouses and factories. While the practice has worked nationwide, it is now focused primarily on the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Established more than four decades ago, Lobell Construction has developed expertise across commercial, residential, health, education and specialist construction projects throughout the Waikato. It has built a reputation for maintaining a hands-on approach, with directors remaining actively involved throughout each project to ensure quality workmanship, adaptability and integrity. The two companies are already working together on another nearby industrial development on Avalon Drive, where six industrial units are being constructed to accommodate a variety of end users. Outside its work with Lobell Construction Thorn Architecture Studio is busy developing an innovative modular housing system using structural steel frames lined with insulated structural insulated panels (SIPs). “It was a bit of an experiment to see how it would work. It’s proved a cost-effective and quick way of building, and I’ve had a lot of interest in it.”
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