Business South October 2020

| 81 Consortium Construction A happy community in St Martins Ph 03 382 1155 24 Hour Service Design Installation & Maintenance of: • Fire Protection Systems • Fire Hose Reels & Extinguishers • Emergency Lighting Systems Full Building WOF/IQP Service 250 Prestons Road, Marshland / www.compliancefire.co.nz / FPANZ Member Proud to be 100% Christchurch Owned and Operated f i r e p r o t e c t i o n compliance Pleased to be working with Consortium Construction BUILDING - CANTERBURY TT Richard Loader W ell versed in achieving a stylish de- sign and quality construction with a cost-effective bottom line, Consorti- um Construction’s latest apartment complex in Christchurch’s leafy suburb of St Martins delivers a happy community feel. Built for Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, the complex of 28 apartments is located in Tiwaiwaka Place, just off Wilsons Road and sits in close proximity to Hillview Primary School as well as popular walking and biking tracks. Beautifully designed as affordable housing by Christchurch practice Gravity Architecture, the complex encompasses six apartment blocks with a range of one- and two-bed- room units. While some blocks are single level and designed to be accessible by less able-bodied tenants and visitors, others include upper and lower apartments. Brooke Whiting, Consortium Construction’s General Manager says while the apartments have been designed to offer a timeless street appeal, the real hero is the spacious 6800sqm site that is by no means densely populated. “Much consideration was given to the residents and how the site would work best for them. “The site has been left quite open with each block comfortably spaced apart and surround- ed by lawn. “There’s also a large grassed 500sqm out- door communal living area in the centre of the complex that will have a pergola and vegeta- ble gardens as well.” A private patio or balcony area—mostly north facing for the sun—offers residents their own slice of heaven, while off street car parking for each apartment offers convenience. Exterior cladding is a fusion of James Hardie EasyLap Panel and James Hardie Axon Panel, providing colour contrast and visual appeal. “Quality fixtures, fittings and finishes have been used throughout each apartment and Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust had significant input into kitchen, bathroom and bedroom designs with the tenants in mind.” Reflecting on project challenges, Brooke says the ground conditions were quite chal- lenging and required extensive excavation along with three separate foundation designs. Commencing construction in September last year, Consortium Construction put the finishing touches to the outdoor landscaping late June and handed the keys over to Ōtauta- hi Community Housing Trust in the first week in July, ready for the Trust’s tenants to enjoy their new surroundings. Well known as the lead contractors in Christchurch’s Riverside Market and other key Christchurch projects, Consortium Construc- tion was established in 2004 as a commercial and industrial construction company. The Tiwaiwaka Place,complex encompasses six apartment blocks with a range of one- and two-bedroom units. In the last few years, Consortium Construc- tion has broadened its range of projects to include residential projects for Kainga Ora, which has led to further contracts with resi- dential property developers and investors. “We have a wealth of knowledge around ‘buildability’ and cost effective structural de- sign,” says Brooke. “Not many people can build as cost effec- tively as us. “We work closely with consultants to achieve the right foundation design and struc- ture, which is where the fundamental cost of any construction project is. “While we want to be cost efficient, we also want to deliver a high quality end product, and striking that balance is our strength.” Based in Christchurch, Consortium Con- struction primarily operates within the city but has completed projects in the greater Canter- bury region with a few in Auckland.