RMBA sites

Entrant

Icon Co Pty (NZ) Limited

Project Partners

Ashton Mitchell (Architect/Designer), Icon (Construction Company), McCONNELL PROPERTY (Client Representative), Unilodge Auckland Ltd (Client Representative)

Owned By

Cedar Pacific

Rising 19 levels in central Auckland, this 758-bed student accommodation development integrates the retained 1929 Campbell House façade into a contemporary high-rise structure. Built on a steep, tightly constrained site with a seven-metre level change and close neighbouring infrastructure, early contractor involvement was critical to sequencing demolition, piling, and vertical construction. Prefabricated bathroom pods, a modular façade system, and a self-climbing jumpform with integrated edge protection improved safety and reduced site congestion. A post-tensioned slab design maximised floor-to-ceiling height while maintaining structural efficiency. Off-site prefabrication and waste reduction strategies supported a 5 Star Green Star Design rating. The completed development demonstrates how heritage preservation and high-density delivery can be successfully combined within a complex urban environment.

Entrant

Summerset Group Holdings

Project Partners

Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (Architect/Designer), Holmes (Structural Engineer), NDY (Electrical Engineer), Riley Consultants Limited (Civil Engineer), Summerset Construction (Construction Company), Summerset Design (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Summerset Group Holdings

Summerset St Johns is a flagship village delivered through one of the toughest construction markets in recent memory. From a 2015 land purchase to opening Stage One on time and on budget in 2024, the team stayed disciplined despite soaring build and finance costs. Four buildings and a two-level basement delivered 92 independent homes, 104 care units and shared amenities, followed by two more buildings and 119 dwellings through 2025. What truly sets this project apart is how profitability was protected without compromising quality. As costs more than doubled, the team leaned into rigorous value management — redesigning the basement, refining apartment layouts, reviewing fit-outs and tightening procurement. Design took longer, but every decision was deliberate. Early supply chain partnerships reduced risk, including lightweight steel framing for seismic strength and 120+ prefabricated balconies that sped up installation. Sustainability is built in, with a renewable wood pellet boiler, high-performing envelope systems, smart water monitoring and more than 4,000 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill. The result is a resilient, high-quality village that proves disciplined planning and collaboration can hold firm even when the market doesn’t.

Entrant

Kalmar

Project Partners

BBD (Quantity Surveyor), Fire Engineer: Crossfire (now Jensen Hughes) (Engineer), Foley (Architect/Designer), HFC Structures (Structural Engineer), Kalmar (Construction Company), Marshall Day Acoustics (Engineer), Mesh Consulting (Engineer)

Owned By

Metlifecare

Oakridge Care delivers a 6 Star Green Star aged-care facility shaped by early contractor involvement and a strong prefabrication strategy. Fully finished bathroom pods were manufactured in Melbourne and craned into position, reducing on-site congestion and improving programme certainty. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, supplied by Red Stag, were used for suspended floors and stairs in place of traditional concrete, providing a lightweight and efficient structural solution. Constructing in regional Northland required proactive procurement and careful coordination of long-lead materials to maintain momentum. Local subcontractors were supported to meet Zero Harm standards, reinforcing a disciplined and positive site culture. Completed two weeks ahead of schedule, the project reflects precise planning and a practical commitment to sustainable healthcare infrastructure.

Entrant

BCG CONSTRUCTION LIMITED

Project Partners

BCG CONSTRUCTION (Construction Company), GOODHOUSE (Architect/Designer), VORTEX Consulting Engineers (Engineer)

Owned By

Ashby Home Limited Partnership

Ashby Grove proves what can be achieved when design and construction work as one. Delivered on an irregular, tightly constrained site accessed by a long, narrow right-of-way, the development required careful planning from day one. BCG partnered closely with its inhouse architectural and interior designers to bring four distinct housing typologies to life, each with its own structure, façade expression, and detailing. Precise sequencing and close attention to alignment ensured quality remained consistent across the compact footprint. Through targeted value engineering, refining details and selecting materials wisely, the team protected both budget and finish. Completed under a fixed-price design-build contract in just 10 months, Ashby Grove reflects confident collaboration and a high-quality outcome achieved on a complex urban site.

Entrant

Kalmar

Project Partners

BDG Architects (Architect/Designer), Bluewater Project Management (Client Representative/Engineer), CLC Consulting Group Ltd (Civil Engineer), CMW Geosciences - Geotech Engineer (Engineer), DHC Consulting Group Limited (Structural Engineer), Hegley Acoustics - Acoustic Engineer (Engineer), Holmes NZ LP - Fire Engineer (Engineer), Inhabit Group - Facade Engineer (Engineer), Kalmar (Construction Company), MEPS Building Engineers - Electrical, Mechanical & Hydraulic (Engineer), MEPS Building Engineers (Electrical Engineer)

Owned By

Real Living Group

Remuera Gardens added two premium buildings to a fully operational retirement village, requiring careful staging to protect residents’ comfort and daily routines. Major underground upgrades, including new stormwater routes and increased wastewater capacity, were completed early with minimal disruption, setting the project up for smooth delivery. Working through post-COVID supply pressures, the team secured long-lead materials early and maintained close supplier coordination to keep the programme on track. The sloping site was reshaped to accommodate a full basement beneath landscaped grounds, maximising usable space without altering the village’s established character. A carefully detailed façade combining brick, plaster, aluminium cladding and paint ensures durability while complementing the existing architecture. The result is a well-integrated expansion delivered with discipline, foresight and respect for its live environment.

Entrant

Unispot Limited

Project Partners

Barnes Beagley Doherr (Quantity Surveyor), ENGEO (Engineer), Maven (Civil Engineer), Ozac Architects (Architect/Designer), Reco Construction (Construction Company), Space Structural Consultants (Structural Engineer), Unispot (Project Manager)

Tucked beneath the slopes of Maungarei (Mount Wellington), The Glade – Stage 3 is a powerful expression of cultural identity, community connection, and thoughtful design. This residential development integrates terraced homes seamlessly into the mountain’s contours, creating a landscape-led community that honours the site’s ancestral significance. Extensive collaboration with iwi and stakeholders ensured heritage protection remained central to every decision. Civil and structural challenges like working with volcanic ground, steep contours, and complex drainage were addressed early through a highly coordinated design and procurement process. The result is a modern, sustainable neighbourhood shaped around natural light, open park spaces, and pedestrian connectivity. More than a development, The Glade – Stage 3 is a respectful return of land to people, blending heritage, community, and place with precision and care.