52 | CONSTRUCTION Hawkins Construction - Tauranga T T Karen Phelps Complex project with unique challenges Managing approximately 50 workers daily on-site within a live hospital presented unique challenges. “These complicated complex projects are our bread and butter; whether large or small we are highly capable of overcoming any challenge that comes up.” Hawkins has been recognised as a finalist in the Building Institute Aotearoa 2025 Building People Awards, earning a nomination in the Carters $10-$50 Million Project Award category for the Tauranga Hospital CCU-ICU additional capacity project. The $12.5 million project, completed in two stages within the four-storey Building 50 at Tauranga Hospital, required the construction of a new cardiac care unit on level three and the refurbishment of the intensive care unit on level one. The company won the contract through a competitive tender process, and began work in February 2024. “These complicated complex projects are our bread and butter; whether large or small we are highly capable of overcoming any challenge that comes up,” says Leon Green, Hawkins’ construction manager. The project’s complexity stemmed from working on the third floor of a live hospital environment, where disruption to patient care had to be minimised while undertaking major construction work. One of the most significant challenges involved accessing the building without disrupting hospital operations. “To avoid having to go through the hospital building we built a big loading platform in the access road below and popped out a window in level three, and installed a construction lift to lift everything in,” explains Leon. The team implemented weekly impact meetings with hospital staff and stakeholders, providing a four-week advance plan to ensure all parties understood when various aspects of the project would take place. This collaborative approach proved essential when drilling 110 holes through the floor to install drainage pipes for new bathrooms. “We had to drill these pipes into the ceiling void of the floor below, which was live, which the team strategically worked through with hospital staff to ensure we could close certain bedrooms to get into the ceiling void to install certain pipework with the least impact on the hospital,” says Leon. Given the cardiac care unit’s critical nature, the project required sophisticated building services, including retrofitting a new lift into the existing shaft. This involved upgrading all structural steel and fire-rating the steel to meet stringent hospital requirements and FR Compliance. Managing approximately 50 workers daily on-site within a live hospital presented unique challenges. The loading platform was constructed on columns to avoid disrupting the access road below, where ambulances regularly accessed the hospital. “We had around 50 people on-site every day, so it was about managing that and ensuring we remained as discrete as possible,” explains Leon. The project was completed on time and on budget, demonstrating the company’s expertise in managing challenging healthcare construction projects. Klein Architects served as the project architect, with Beca providing engineering consultancy services for the complex hospital facility. The Hawkins team’s approach emphasised collaboration and problem-solving, rather than simply escalating issues to design teams. “I directed the team to own problems and devise solutions, rather than sending RFIs to the design team. This was adopted readily by the team, reducing admin and keeping the team focused on delivery,” says Leon. he project also achieved MATES in Construction accreditation, reflecting the company’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing on-site. The Hawkins project team, who are all qualified mental health first aiders, implemented innovative approaches to maintain team morale during high-pressure periods. The Building Institute Aotearoa Building People Awards recognise excellence in the construction industry, celebrating both technical achievement and collaborative leadership. The awards assess projects based on technical fundamentals, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing and leadership qualities. For Hawkins, Leon says the nomination represents recognition of its capabilities in delivering complex healthcare projects that require exceptional coordination, technical expertise and sensitivity to operational requirements. “Hawkins’ success in completing such a challenging project within a live hospital environment demonstrates its position as a leader in specialised construction work.” P 07 847 9428 E o ce@lje.nz www.lyndonjoneselectrical.co.nz Lyndon Jones Electrical are proud to be associated with Hawkins Construction - Tauranga
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