16 | Elite Built T T Karen Phelps Overcoming ‘formidable challenges’ Elite Built was brought on board during the earliest planning stages. “These technical requirements demanded a high level of detail, collaboration, and sequencing to meet both clinical standards and building compliance.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When Christchurch construction firm Elite Built Ltd was handed the task of transforming a former language school into one of New Zealand’s most technically advanced radiology facilities, the challenges were formidable. The result has earned the company well-deserved industry recognition taking out a gold award in the 2026 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards. The Reform Radiology project, delivered in central Christchurch, now houses the South Island’s first community-based SPECT-CT scanner and a state-of-the-art digital PET-CT suite, equipment that demanded extraordinary precision from every tradesperson on site. “This project simply could not have succeeded without full collaboration across the entire team,” says Shawn Cotton, director of Elite Built. “From the builder to the radiologists, the physicist, designers and architects, every stakeholder played a critical role.” Elite Built was brought on board during the earliest planning stages when the site was still configured as a language school. Shawn says that early engagement proved invaluable, allowing the company to provide preliminary budgets and offer input on drainage, electrical, fire protection and fit-out scopes before the design had fully taken shape. “Early involvement allowed us to offer input on key scopes and helped shape a realistic budget framework that supported informed decision-making as the design evolved,” says Shawn. The building presented Elite Built with a series of formidable structural constraints from the outset. The existing waffle slab, originally designed for a lightweight fit-out, imposed strict weight limits and could not be cut for drainage channels. Services had to be threaded throughout the building with considerable ingenuity, and starter bar placement required detailed planning to avoid intersecting existing reinforcing steel. Radiation shielding presented an equally demanding challenge. Concrete walls and ceilings were constructed and poured in the uptake rooms to safely contain radiation, and lead-lined walls and ceilings required careful detailing to maintain continuous shielding integrity. Lead flashings were rebated behind sheet joins and lead sheeting was contact adhered between two layers of plywood before being secured to wall and ceiling framing. “Materials ranged from standard GIB board to highly specialised lead sheeting,” explains Shawn. “These technical requirements demanded a high level of detail, collaboration, and sequencing to meet both clinical standards and building compliance.” Adding to the complexity, the project was governed by a hard deadline tied to the scheduled arrival of new CT machines, equipment that could not be rebooked. Major electrical upgrades, including the installation of a new external substation, and HVAC systems tailored to sensitive imaging environments were integrated without compromising the existing structure. The project was delivered on budget and Elite Built worked closely throughout with project partners including quantity surveyor Attainable Ltd, architects FocusPlan and Inline Architecture, and structural engineers Romulus. A comprehensive programme tracked every stage of the build, with weekly project meetings ensuring full transparency across all stakeholders. By retaining and reworking the existing building shell, Elite Built also reduced waste and maintained programme certainty throughout. Health and safety oversight was equally rigorous. Permit-to-work systems governed high-risk activities and all personnel underwent site-specific inductions covering the handling of materials such as lead and the requirements of working near medical-grade equipment. “The finished facility sets a new benchmark for community-based molecular imaging in New Zealand and is a project we are extremely proud to have worked on and delivered to an incredibly high standard,” says Shawn. Structural Engineers Residential | Commercial | Industrial We combine practical real world experiencewith technical excellence Where Practical meets Precision 03 376 4503 engineering@romulus.co.nz www.romulus.co.nz ALWAYS AN EXCEPTIONAL FINISH CERTIFIED INTERIOR PLASTERING Level 4 & 5 Finishing Coving & Cornices Residential Homes Commercial Projects Architectural Finishes & Detailing Alterations
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