| 133 COMMUNITY HRS Construction Ltd: Canterbury DHB Birthing Unit T T Kim Newth Birthing unit opens The team worked hard on site from January 2023 to transform the space. Canterbury’s maternity services have received a big boost with the opening of a new community birthing unit in central Christchurch. Designed by Noordanus Architects and built by HRS Construction, the new unit includes four birthing rooms, 20 post-natal rooms and six assessment rooms, along with a whānau room, lounge and education room. Created in collaboration with mana whenua, the unit’s name – Kurawaka Waipapa – was gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri. “To be there when the building was opened in April by the local rūnanga was pretty special,” says Andrew Marshall, HRS director and general manager, whose team worked hard on site from January 2023 to transform an old temporary police station building into a welcoming, fit-for-purpose community birthing unit. “That temporary station was built after the Canterbury earthquakes and was pretty rough. The design team worked magic to turn it into what it is now. As soon as you walk through the doors, you feel like you’re in a really homely space where you’re going to be comfortable and well looked after. Noordanus’ experienced team were fantastic to work with, in particular architect Samantha Quigley who was instrumental to the smooth running of the project.” Located close to the delay plagued Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, Andrew says the on-site ground conditions proved challenging for this project. Additionally, the existing building threw up various other issues for the team as work progressed. “It wasn’t easy. We just had to work through all the challenges and that’s what we did. The whole team did a great job. “You only get one chance to open a maternity unit – you’ve got to make sure that what’s there is right. We had user groups coming in to check on our work as we progressed to make sure everything was being done properly and was in the right place.” Key leaders for HRS Construction were site manager Lance Cheeseman and contracts manager Tim Stokes. Andrew also praised the local Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand team on how they engaged with the construction team during the project. “We had some good subcontractors working with us too as there are some fairly complicated mechanical, electrical, data, security and other services in that building. “The unit needed a whole suite of hospital services, and we had a great team that we worked with on that to bring it all together. Plus, it would not look as good as it does without all those finishing trades doing their part so well.” With the construction sector driving to achieve greater diversity, it is noteworthy that this project included not only Samantha Quigley leading the architecture but also Melissa Archer leading QS for HRS Construction and with Gemma Baldock of Rider Levett Bucknall leading QS for the client. Appropriately, the project evolved with a high level of midwifery input. As a long standing Canterbury construction company, HRS is proudly committed to the region and played a big part in the city’s rebuild after the earthquakes. A recent highlight for HRS was winning the Supreme Award at the 2022 NZ Commercial Projects Awards for Ravenscar House. For all your plumbing needs PO Box 5488 Papanui, Christchurch murray@gbondltd.co.nz 027 488 0652 P L U M B E R S Representing Excellence Master Plumbers Excavation. Transport. Equipment. We can handle ALL your contracting needs. Residential | Commercial | Agricultural Mobile: 021 859 867 Phone: 0800 213 444 Email: office@a1diggers.co.nz www.a1diggers.co.nz Providing integrated security solutions to protect people and assets.
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