Tourism and Leisure Project

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Project: Astrolabe Wines Blenheim

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Apollo Projects

Project Partners

Apollo Projects (Construction Company), C NOTT Architects (Architect/Designer), Kotahi Engineering Studio (Architect/Designer/Structural Engineer), Kotahi Studio (Structural Engineer)

Owned By

Apollo Projects
Rangitane o Wairau

Astrolabe Wines’ micro-winery in Blenheim revitalises a contaminated site into a functional winemaking facility with strong cultural connections. Built on land containing heavy metals and hydrocarbons, the project required specialised soil removal and pile foundations. The facility features a wine tasting area, offices, and grape processing operations, with glass doors offering visitors a view of the winemaking process. Cultural elements, including concrete etchings and taniko-inspired patterns, honour the heritage of Rangitane o Wairau, connecting the winery to the region’s identity. Through careful planning and collaboration, Apollo Projects overcame challenges such as soil remediation, tight timelines, and pile vibration near neighbouring buildings. The Astrolabe Wines micro-winery is a balance of industrial purpose and cultural and community engagement, showcasing Marlborough’s winemaking traditions

Project: Ayrburn Arrowtown

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Cook Brothers Construction

Project Partners

Aquaheat (Architect/Designer), Cook Brothers Construction (Construction Company), ENGCO (Engineer), Qube Consultants Ltd (Quantity Surveyor), SA Studio (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Winton

Cook Brothers Construction meticulously restored three historic farm buildings at Aryburn Arrowtown, namely the Woolshed, Manure Room, and Dairy, and transformed them into a vibrant hospitality destination. The Woolshed now offers a distinctive dining experience with bars and outdoor spaces, the Manure Room has been repurposed as a wine-tasting venue, and the Dairy operates as a charming ice creamery. A newly added Barrel Room, designed to mimic an underground cellar, further enriches the visitor experience. Balancing heritage with modern craftsmanship, the project utilised original schist stone, river stones, and timber to preserve the site while also significantly reducing its carbon footprint. This thoughtful restoration seamlessly blends history, sustainability, and innovation, creating a unique historical destination.

Project: Cargo Brew Hall

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Lakes Building Co

Project Partners

Lakes Building Co (Construction Company), Yoke (Architect/Designer)

blending heritage with contemporary design. Capable of hosting up to 250 guests for weddings, corporate events, and concerts, the venue’s schist stone exterior echoes the 1865-built tavern, while modern elements like expansive glazed sliding doors and timber-accented interiors create a warm, functional space. Sustainability was a key focus, with passive solar heating, locally sourced materials, and high thermal mass construction enhancing energy efficiency. Completed in just one year, Cargo Brew Hall exemplifies craftsmanship, collaboration, and environmental responsibility, delivering a unique venue that respects its historic surroundings while embracing modern innovation.

Project: Dolomite Point Redevelopment Project

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Naylor Love Canterbury

Project Partners

Brightwater (Engineer), Naylor Love Canterbury (Construction Company)

Owned By

Department of Conservation

The Dolomite Point Redevelopment Project at Punakaiki enhances visitor infrastructure at the iconic Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, seamlessly blending sustainability with functionality. A key feature is the new visitor experience centre, constructed with laminated veneer lumber and other low-carbon materials, topped with green roofs that integrate into the surrounding landscape. Upgraded pedestrian facilities further improve accessibility while preserving the site’s natural beauty. Environmental protection was a core priority, with extensive measures taken to safeguard native flora and fauna, including the great spotted kiwi. Habitat restoration and management plans underscore the project’s commitment to conservation. Navigating the challenges of a remote location, strict environmental regulations, and complex logistics, Naylor Love successfully delivered the project on time and within budget. Setting a benchmark for sustainable tourism, this redevelopment balances visitor experience, environmental care, and community engagement at one of New Zealand’s most treasured natural sites.

Project: Fergus Bar & Kitchen

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Fosters

Project Partners

APG Architects (Architect/Designer), BCD Group (Quantity Surveyor/Structural Engineer), Fosters (Construction Company), Ground Engineering Consultants (Civil Engineer), Veros (Project Manager)

Located in Hamilton’s Kinfields development, Fergus Bar & Kitchen is a modern pub built on a 2,100-square-metre corner site. This single-storey venue features a north-facing courtyard, Kingspan insulated roofing and energy- efficient systems. Fosters overcame site constraints, low-strength soils, and timeline challenges through precise planning, collaboration, and innovative solutions, such as using raft slab foundation to minimise excavation. Early engagement with clients and consultants ensured seamless integration of the fit-out into the base build, delivering a high-quality venue on time and within budget. Sustainability was prioritised through FSC-certified timber, low-emission paints, and rigorous recycling during construction, reducing the project’s environmental footprint.

Project: Hamilton Gardens Visitor Precinct

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Downey Construction

Project Partners

BCD Group (Structural Engineer), BHW Studio (Project Manager), Downey Construction (Construction Company), Edwards White Architects (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Hamilton City Council

The Hamilton Gardens Visitor Precinct redevelopment elevates New Zealand’s renowned gardens. Spanning five key areas, the project includes an extended café, a new visitor information centre, a refurbished pavilion, redesigned grounds, and a striking Fern Court structure featuring 72 bespoke flitch posts up to 8 metres tall. Downey Construction overcame the challenges of working in a live environment with limited access by implementing phased construction, temporary facilities, and proactive visitor safety measures. Downey collaborated closely with stakeholders to refine designs, provide value engineering, and ensure efficient construction processes. This collaborative effort created an iconic gateway to the gardens, enhancing the visitor experience.

Project: Hope Church Rolleston

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Bushnell Builders

Project Partners

Bushnell Builders (Construction Company), Dalman Architects (Architect/Designer), Hope Presbyterian Church Rolleston (Client Representative), Quoin Structural Consultants (Engineer)

Owned By

Hope Rolleston Presbyterian Church

The Hope Church Rolleston project showcases innovative problem-solving and meticulous planning, resulting in a modern church with a 400-seat worship hall, office, and kitchen. The worship hall incorporates energy-efficient heating, acoustic treatments, and flexible gathering spaces. Budget constraints necessitated the use of simple yet striking materials, with white brick and metal cladding framing a central glazed foyer. Delivering the project brought significant challenges, including funding uncertainties and discrepancies in council water mains records. Bushnell Builders worked closely with the Church to negotiate solutions, modifying a council water line to prevent costly disruptions. The team successfully delivered a space that balances practicality, sustainability, and architectural appeal through collaboration and adaptability.

Project: Hotel Grand Chancellor

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NZ Strong Group

Project Partners

Beca (Client Representative/Electrical Engineer/Project Manager/Structural Engineer), Ignite Architects (Architect/Designer), NZ Strong Group (Construction Company), Rider Levett Bucknall (Quantity Surveyor)

The 12-storey Hotel Grand Chancellor brings a premium accommodation option to Auckland’s city centre. It offers 191 guest rooms, stunning northern views, and a central courtyard with a lush biophilic design. Located adjacent to the New Zealand International Convention Centre, the hotel incorporates a green façade, 10-storey indoor climbing plants, and native coastal flora, blending modern luxury with a connection to nature. Collaboration was key to the project’s success, with senior leaders actively engaged alongside strong delivery teams, fostering a highly cohesive working environment. This world-class development exemplifies sustainability, innovation, and a commitment to elevating Auckland’s hospitality landscape.

Project: Hotel Indigo Auckland & 51 Albert Residences

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Icon NZ

Project Partners

BGT Structures (Structural Engineer), Icon NZ (Construction Company), Neoscape (Project Manager), Ninety-Four Feet (Client Representative), StudioSC (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Ninety Four Feet

Developed on a compact urban site, this landmark project seamlessly blends luxury living, a 4.5-star hotel, and vibrant hospitality within a single structure. Integrating modern construction with a restored 1912 heritage façade, the 41-storey development features 225 hotel rooms, 30 premium apartments, and an array of amenities, including a lobby, restaurant, gym, café, and conference facilities. Icon NZ navigated the challenges of a constrained footprint, complex logistics, and strict structural and façade cycles. Another significant hurdle arose with a late-stage layout change on the Level 29 structural slab, requiring partial dismantling of the jumpform system, 29 levels in the air. Stakeholder management was crucial in minimising disruption to neighbouring businesses, residents, and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Through collaboration and heritage preservation, this project has delivered an architectural gem in Auckland’s cityscape.

Project: IHG Club Lounge

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BLACK

Project Partners

BLACK (Construction Company), Warren & Mahoney (Architect/Designer)

The IHG Queen Street Auckland flagship Club Lounge offers a premium, members-only space designed for comfort and exclusivity. Delivered within a live mixed-use building, the project required careful planning to manage noise, space, and scheduling constraints. BLACK prioritised off-site manufacturing to minimise disturbance, transporting pre-finished elements for efficient on-site assembly. A high volume of trades collaborated seamlessly on the small floor plate, with split shifts and designated access windows ensuring continuous progress. The project incorporated sustainability through energy-efficient materials and waste reduction. Custom-designed bathroom basins and detailed finishes highlight BLACK’s precision and teamwork, delivering a sophisticated space on time and to IHG’s exacting standards.

Project: Te Ara Pounamu - Experience Centre

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Tony Wilkins Builder

Project Partners

ENGCO (The Engineering Company Limited) (Engineer), R M Designs LTD (Architect/Designer), Smart Project Management (Client Representative)

Owned By

Pokeka Poutini Ngai Tahu

The Te Ara Pounamu Experience Centre in Greymouth Mawhera is an architectural and cultural landmark that honours the legacy of Tuhuru, a revered Maori chief who, in the early 1800s, established a pa at Mawhera and safeguarded the precious pounamu from raiding parties. Built on the original site of his pa, the centre celebrates the heritage of Poutini Ngai Tahu, the people of the West Coast. The building features a mass timber structure, a glazed curtain wall, and a dramatic glulam canopy symbolising a protective cloak. Constructed from over 1,500 prefabricated components, the canopy’s complexity demanded expert coordination and collaboration. Inside, an immersive Weta Workshop-designed experience brings the Pounamu Pathway to life, sharing region's stories and attracting both national and international visitors to this meaningful place of connection and discovery.

Project: Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport

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Dominion Constructors

Project Partners

TSA Riley (Project Manager), Warren & Mahoney (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Auckland International Airport and Tainui

Delivering a luxury accommodation experience, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel is a landmark joint venture between Auckland International Airport and Tainui Group Holdings that seamlessly fuses world-class design with the cultural heritage of Aotearoa. Positioned as a gateway to New Zealand, the hotel stands as a bold architectural statement, offering arriving guests an inspiring first impression of the country. The hotel’s sweeping curves and distinctive form presented significant construction challenges, from the faceted glass façade to the curvilinear wall veneers that flow through the interior. To manage this complexity, 4D programming was used to accurately sequence the structure, which is supported by a highly detailed steel diaphragm system. High-end finishes, including stone, veneer, timber, and metal, were subject to stringent quality control to meet the project’s 5-star standard.

Project: The Runholder - Te Kairanga Winery

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Holmes Construction

Project Partners

Holmes Construction (Construction Company), Kensway Consultants (Project Manager), Kensway Consultants Ltd (Quantity Surveyor), Norman Disney & Young (Engineer), Nott Architects (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Foley Wines

Home to Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard, and Lighthouse Gin, The Runholder is an exceptional hospitality and winemaking destination. The 1,100-square-metre venue features a gin distillery, tasting room, private function spaces, and both formal and informal dining areas, all with breathtaking views of the Wairarapa landscape. Delivering the project came with significant logistical challenges, including tight site access through the vineyards, the complex lifting of 12.5-tonne precast panels, and a fast-tracked construction programme aligned with harvest deadlines. Excavation for the 650-square-metre underground barrel room involved the removal of 50,000 cubic metres of earth. Blending timber, metal cladding, and a dramatic six-metre gable roof, The Runholder’s design offers a warm, contemporary aesthetic that reflects the character and charm of Martinborough.

Project: Urlar Winery Redevelopment

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DLA Architects

Project Partners

DLA Architects (Architect/Designer), Rigg Zschokke Ltd (Construction Company)

Owned By

URLAR Gladstone

The Urlar Winery redevelopment quadrupled the winery’s production capacity and was delivered while the existing winery remained fully operational. The project includes a new amenity building featuring a cellar door, catering kitchens, a formal dining room, and a link to outdoor seating with panoramic views of the lake and vineyard. Environmental performance was thoughtfully integrated, with features such as Xflam insulated wall panels, passive sun shading, rainwater harvesting, and a dedicated winery wastewater system supporting long-term resilience. The design includes folded roof forms, faceted steel frames, and bespoke detailing, all brought to life through expert craftsmanship and close contractor-designer collaboration.

Project: Whare Waka

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Urbo Homes

Project Partners

DCA Architects of Transformation (Architect/Designer), Urbo Homes (Construction Company/Project Manager), Veros (Project Manager)

Owned By

Rotorua Lakes Council

Designed to honour and protect the Te Arawa taua (war canoe), the Whare Waka is a fusion of cultural significance and architectural innovation. The building’s layout and surrounding landscape allow for the smooth movement of the waka to and from the lake, supporting cultural ceremonies and youth training. Cultural expression is embedded throughout the design, from laser-cut stainless steel punga anchors to Taniko lattice screens that modulate light and airflow. Its striking glass façade offers an uninterrupted view of the waka, while custom-engineered gas struts safely operate the 450kg glass gates, even in high winds. Built with longevity in mind, the structure includes powder- coated aluminium gutters that double as visitor shelters and slip joints to accommodate thermal expansion. Responding to Rotorua’s unique geothermal environment, the design team selected durable, corrosion-resistant materials, including thermally modified renewable timber, to ensure the Whare Waka stands strong for future generations.