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Placemakers Saxton

CATEGORY

Project: Retail

Location: Saxton Road

Client: Gibbons Property / Placemakers

Value: $7m

Contract period: 2006

Consultants: Holmes Consulting Group

Located on one of the main arterial routes in Stoke Nelson. This custom trade/retail space cemented Placemakers commitment to the region.

We managed the entire design and build process for this large new retail/trade bulk store and maximised efficiencies and cost savings on the project by using specialist subcontracts suited to the scale of the project.

NMIT Arts and Media Building

Project: Education

Location: Nile Street Nelson

Client: NMIT

Value: $2.5m

Contract period: 2010

Consultants: Irving Smith Jack, Aurecon

Gibbons Construction was the principal subcontractor for this major project which has become a showcase for timber and earthquake-resistant technology.  

With our sawmilling and forestry background we assisted the designer in maximising the use of locally grown chemical free Douglas fir timber framing in the building.

The design of beams, columns and floor systems are the equivalent of steel and concrete.  

Aurecon structural engineers achieved a world first timber seismic design for this project incorporating technology developed at the University of Canterbury.  

The buildings movement and regional seismicity is being measured by the University of Auckland to assess its structural performance over time.  This NMIT building demonstrates that a high level of earthquake protection is both achievable and affordable and ensure the building is functional after a major event.  

Trafalgar Centre

Project: Community

Location: Para Para Road, Nelson

Client: Nelson City Council

Value: $12.9m

Contract period: 12 Months

Consultants: Irving Smith Jack Architects, Homles Consulting Engineers, Arup, Holmes Fire

Gibbons was appointed this contract through a rigorous Early Contractor Involvement process based on attributes not price.

The contract to strengthen and refurbish Nelson’s premier sports and cultural stadium and rebuild the northern building was important the to the community and a positive result was imperative.

The major focus at the beginning of the process was to ensure that the main hall of the building was ready for use in time for the Nelson Giant’s (basketball) first game at the beginning of April 2016. 

 

This goal was successfully achieved against the odds.

Other work including some interior finishing and the construction of the new northern upgrade continued throughout the Basketball season.

Upon completion the community will be able to enjoy a facility and surrounding grounds to a standard it would not have been thought possible in a refurbished building.

 

Collingwood Medical Centre

Project: Medical

Location: 132 Collingwood Street, Nelson

Value: $5.7 Million + $2.8 Million Fit out

Contract Period: 12 Months

Consultants: Arthouse Architects

 

This three storey medical centre development in the heart of Nelson provides approximately 3300m² and 28 on site carparks allowing medical practitioners who were spread all over the city to co-locate. The construction included fit-out works for Radiology and Orthopaedic tenants. Situated in the middle of Nelson City made the site very tight with laydown space a premium. This was a particular challenge given the structure was predominantly precast panels, concrete double tee flooring and structural steel. 

Other challenges with the project included the lack of available lifting gear in the form of cranes and having to absorb significant changes to the structural design after commencement and following the Feb ’11 Christchurch Earthquakes. Our ability to react to changing structural demands was paramount to the successful delivery of the project.

The fit-out packages, in particular for Nelson Radiology Ltd, required Gibbons to work in and around some very highly technical and sensitive equipment. We were commissioned by NRL to relocate their CT scanner from its existing premises to the new facility. 

Design began in 2008 with the client wanting a modern, sustainable building, but ‘not just a box’. Planning and circulation design fully explored many options and eventually the central point of entry with two ’wings’ was agreed upon as the most efficient use of the site.

Inspiration was taken from the pattern of DNA strands and the concept of one layer protecting the next. Orientation of glazing, solar shading and structural elements has been developed to work in tandem with the mechanical heating and cooling ensuring a comfortable low energy use building. Opening windows have been included where possible to give tenants the option of fresh air or mechanically cooled air. Solar shading, double glazing and high levels of thermal insulation will work together to keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

Mapua Sheds

Project: Commercial

Location: Mapua, Tasman

Client: Tasman District Council

Value: $1.1 million

Contract period: 4 months

Mapua Wharf – Shed 4 Development was a significant undertaking by the Tasman District Council to provide additional retail space for the growing visitors to the Mapua Wharf area.

As the Christmas holiday period is the busiest retail period of the year for the Mapua retailers, delivering on time was critical. A proven track record of delivering on time was the deciding factor in being chosen by the Tasman District Council to complete this project.

With a short construction period of just 4 months, organization, innovation and planning were critical.

 

Some outside the box thinking, contractor co-operation and as much prefabrication as possible allowed this project to flow and reach in completion on time, and on budget.

Space on site was also another factor that required foresight, planning and co-operation to overcome. With the existing retailers still operating in close proximity care was required cause as little disruption as possible.

Overall a very successful project for all concerned.

KMART Complex

Project: Retail

Location: Upper Queens Street, Richmond

Client: Gibbons Property

Value: $7.6m plus $1.6m Siteworks

Contract period: 11 Months

Consultants: Irving Smith Jack Architects

5,000m2 of a bulk retail store started in January 2013 and handed to Kmart for fit-out Sept 2013. This project is a true design/build project for the Gibbons Group. Having appointed a robust design team we successfully navigated our way through Resource Consent, Building Consent and Tenant Design Specifications to create the first new build Kmart store in New Zealand for over 15 years.

External walls are precast with the exception of shopfront openings with the front panels being architecturally “fluted’. The main structure is steel portal frame spanning 74m with 2 no. rows of internal columns allowing us to create the largely clear open-plan retail floor. The roof structure is steel and DHS purlins with coloursteel roof cladding, designed to accommodate over six tonnes of mechanical air handling units. 

 

One of the major challenges with the project was the site, being the former site of a timber treatment yard, was deemed to be contaminated. Whilst largely theoretical in reality, this required us to put in place extremely stringent ground control measures to guard against run-off and possible airborne pollutants during the construction phase.  Sensitivity towards the surrounding environment was paramount and was managed with the involvement of TDC to ensure there were no issues.

Lucas House

Project: Commercial

Location: 51 Halifax Street, Nelson

Client: Gibbons Property Investments

Value: $3.4 Million

Contract period: 12 Months

Consultants: Irving Smith Jack Architects

Lucas House has made a significant impact on the advancement of timber construction technology integration into multistory commercial construction. The innovative design which reflects these new technologies, utilizes structural timber components, with engineered concrete to form a structurally sound response to new building standards.

It represents a significant step towards an environmentally responsible and realizable timber commercial building type. Utilizing locally engineered and produced timber components, this building aspires to legacy and has quickly attracted a full house of tenants.

Incorporating new earthquake dampening technology, new timber technology, multiple stories and an inner city site provided Gibbons Construction the opportunity to create something special.

The accuracy required when building a multi-level timber and precast concrete structure like Lucas House should not be overlooked. The majority of the timber structure and concrete work throughout the building not only remains exposed but has also become an architectural feature of the design. Every joint fits like a glove, allowing the timber and concrete to be the show piece it deserves to be.

The exposure to these new and established techniques gained during the construction of this building has given the Gibbons Construction team significant experience and advantage for many other LVL timber structures it has completed since.

Countdown Nelson

Project: Retail

Location: St Vincent Street, Nelson

Client: Gibbons Property / Progressive
Enterprises LTD

Contract period: 1997

Consultants: WR Andrew Limited

Sharing car parking space with the new Warehouse development Countdown Nelson added to the large retail spaces springing up around Nelsons city fringe.

Built in 1997 and having undergone several extensions and alterations Countdown Nelson’s functionality and ability to be extended is a testament to the original design and construction.

 

New World Nelson

Project: Retail

Client: Foodstuffs

Value: $7m
 

We managed the demolition of the existing building, the construction of a large retaining wall, site works and the construction of the new supermarket building.

Our careful selection of subcontractors and specialist experience in finishing requirements for high end supermarkets contributed to the smooth delivery of this project within a challenging timeframe.