90 | BUILDING Thorburn Builders T T Rosa Watson A cultural landmark for community The wharenui boasts an impressive roofing structure, including a rising ridgeline that flares to the entrance of the building. Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Each edition priority delivered to your door. i i i i li . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . t f . . / i ti 03 983 5525 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, profiling their success. t i f r ; r it i r i i - r r ll i t r , r fili t ir . businessnorth In-House Drawing Office Purpose built Structural Steel Committed to Health and Safety Specialised Stainless Steel and Metalwork 07 856 4884 www.wsf.co.nz reception@wsf.co.nz Waikato Steel Fabricators Solar and EV Air conditioning Ventilation Electrical Heatpumps Proudly Supporting Thorburn Builders 0800 855 566 admin@ambientgroup.co.nz www.ambientgroup.co.nz A building project at Hamilton Boys’ High School that has been a decade is on track to be completed by winter and Huntly-based Thorburn Builders contracts manager Paul Taylor says he hopes the wharenui will be an important landmark for the community. “It is a privilege to be trusted with the showcase building for the school that we are proud to pin our name to. We take great satisfaction in it.” The project, highly visible from Peachgrove Road and upon entering the school, boasts an impressive roofing structure, including a rising ridgeline that flares to the entrance of the building and is completed with intricate detailing in the gutter line. It is a sophisticated build that is complex in its form and use of materials, particularly the shape and interaction between the structural elements. Work started five months ago and is approximately halfway through. Paul said senior foreman Adam McKenzie, who has considerable experience in working with educational projects, had met and exceeded the challenge of the build. “He’s done another bloody good job maintaining a tight programme, while exceeding quality expectations and keeping to budget.” Thorburn Builders successfully negotiated a two-stage competitive tendering process, but the project was still over-budget, he said. An intensive value engineering process was used to bring the build within its financial constraints. “We were able to provide multiple cost saving solutions, ensuring the integrity of the building was maintained. Providing that tangible value to the client is something I am proud of.” The wharenui is unique in its build quality and specification within the education sector. Though not a particularly big building at just 300sqm, its design and detailing gives it an imposing presence within its setting. The exterior envelope is predominantly brick with intricate Maori patterns, and two impressive precast concrete panels at the entranceway. The interior features include raking decortech plywood ceilings, oversized doors, and hidden service wall cavities. The idea for a marae-a-kura at the school first came to life in 2014 when a committee was formed. That was followed by 18 months of conceptualisation, planning and consultation to realise the goal. Consultation was then carried out with stakeholders in the wider community, with architectural plans and other information available for public viewing. “It’s a cool building,” Paul said. “I guess that’s what has excited us about the project – having the chance to build something of that specification for the community that will be a focal point is pretty special.” Thorburn Builders has a comprehensive portfolio with the Ministry of Education that includes renovations, new builds, roofing works and swimming pools. The company recently completed projects at the University of Waikato, Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga and the Waikato Kindergarten Association. Often three crews work on education work at any given time, and it makes up around 60 per cent of the firm’s work. The construction team, led by managing director Mark Thorburn, has an extensive track record of delivering similar high-quality projects on time and on or under budget. The company has strong staff retention and this provides continuity within the team, and Paul said the team’s capacity to work together to meet specific deadlines is a great strength of the company.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=