RMBA sites

Entrant

Brosnan

Project Partners

Brosnan (Construction Company), Christian Anderson Architects (Architect/Designer), Frequency (Project Manager), HFC Group (Structural Engineer)

Owned By

KSL Capital Partners

Refurbishing Huka Lodge required exceptional precision within a live, ultra-luxury hospitality setting. With limited historic documentation and heritage constraints shaping the design, detailed investigation and a six-month early contractor involvement phase were critical to refining methodology and buildability before construction commenced. More than 60 trade packages were secured in advance, with long-lead materials sourced internationally to protect programme certainty. Works were staged under temporary roofing, enabling demolition, structural steel installation, carpentry, and interior finishing to proceed concurrently while the wider estate remained operational. Close collaboration with the local Council established new processes for design review and inspections to accommodate the compressed timeframe. The completed refurbishment respects the lodge’s heritage while elevating performance and guest experience within one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated hospitality destinations.

Entrant

Cook Brothers Construction

Project Partners

Cook Brothers Construction (Construction Company), HFC Group: Civil and Structural Engineers (Structural Engineer), Sumich Chaplin Architects Limited (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Roki Collection

Constructing ROKI Collection in central Queenstown meant carving a multi-storey hotel into a steep, tightly constrained site overlooking Lake Wakatipu. After demolishing the existing backpacker lodge, the team delivered a 15-metre retaining wall to stabilise the hillside, formed from 127 drilled concrete piles and rock anchors extending 13 metres into solid ground. More than 8,000 cubic metres of material, including significant volumes of hard rock, was removed using a controlled splitting method to meet strict consent conditions and protect surrounding businesses. With no laydown space, large precast panels, floor units and steel components were lifted into position within a compact footprint using detailed crane planning and carefully managed exclusion zones. Despite design changes and supply delays, the hotel was completed safely, demonstrating disciplined sequencing and confident delivery in one of the country’s most demanding environments.

Entrant

Duncan Commercial Construction

Project Partners

Aboard Limited (Client Representative), Duncan Commercial Construction Ltd (Construction Company), Studio Markham - Architecture (Architect/Designer), TM Consultants (Engineer)

Owned By

G & Jo Limited

The Woolshed Plateau Building is a striking rural retreat that exemplifies construction precision and craftsmanship. Set high on Paekakariki Hill and exposed to extreme wind conditions, the building’s robust structure, featuring in-situ concrete, structural steel, and high-spec timber framing, was carefully tailored to its challenging site. A cast-in-situ board-formed fireplace with double cantilevered chimneys sits as its centrepiece which required a custom concrete mix and exacting formwork to achieve the desired architectural finish. Warm cedar linings and timber detailing ground the interior in its natural context, complemented by carefully considered sequencing and refined finishes. Despite steep terrain and limited access, the team delivered a high-performance building that blends durability with refined rural character. ---

Entrant

Maycroft Construction

Project Partners

Architecture HDT Ltd (Architect/Designer), Beca Limited (Structural Engineer), Maycroft Construction (Construction Company), Powell Fenwick (Engineer)

What began as an aquatic centre upgrade quickly evolved into a complex structural renewal when severe corrosion and deteriorated concrete were uncovered during demolition. Urgent redesign and careful staging were required to stabilise the existing facility while integrating new extensions and shared service systems. A distinctive gull-wing roof and laser-cut aluminium fins give the building a bold identity, while etched concrete and patterned glazing embed Maori narratives, with the entrance form referencing the prow of a waka. Engineering innovation was equally critical, including the installation of micro piles driven eight metres through existing balance tanks to strengthen the structure. Solar generation, heat recovery, and a shared energy network serving a neighbouring Council facility complete a resilient, future-focused community asset.

Entrant

Naylor Love Central Otago Ltd

Project Partners

Cronos Projects Limited (Engineer), Holmes NZ (Structural Engineer), Naylor Love Central Otago Ltd (Construction Company/Project Manager), Powell Fenwick Consultants (Electrical Engineer), Rhodes + Associates (Quantity Surveyor), Rubix (Client Representative), Wyatt & Gray Architects (Architect/Designer)

Owned By

Skyline Enterprises Limited

Redeveloping Skyline’s gondola terminals meant rebuilding critical infrastructure while more than 800,000 visitors a year continued to move through the site. Across multiple stages, Naylor Love carefully sequenced works to protect operations, including assembling the bottom terminal roof at ground level and lifting it into place with dual 100-tonne cranes before dawn so services could resume by mid-morning. Access to the top terminal was via a steep, narrow track shared with pedestrians and mountain bikers, requiring tight traffic control and specialist staging. Ground conditions varied significantly, with piles socketed into rock at the summit and raft foundations used in softer gravels below. The full gondola replacement was completed in under 60 days, supported by around-the-clock shifts during closure periods. High-performance cladding, glazing and adaptable construction methods ensure the terminals are durable, efficient and prepared for future change.

Entrant

Dimension Building

Project Partners

Dimension Building (Construction Company), High Country Earthworks (Excavation, Drainage & Sewer connections and lands), Richards Consulting/Engineers (Structural Engineer)

Owned By

Mackenzie District Council

At the entrance to the Alps 2 Ocean Trail, this architecturally refined public shelter in Tekapo demonstrates precision rarely demanded of small-scale civic infrastructure. Its defining 300x100 Prolam timber beams were designed to slot over concealed foundation brackets, requiring millimetre-accurate set-out to achieve the seamless finish. Prefabrication added further complexity. Beams were partially disassembled off site for transport, then craned into position and reassembled in sub-zero alpine conditions. Careful sequencing and logistics planning were essential to manage weight, handling, and weather constraints. Local materials, prefabrication efficiencies, and durable finishes support long-term performance with minimal maintenance. Completed on time and within budget, the facility provides a robust and carefully crafted gateway asset for Tekapo.

Entrant

NCA Group Limited

Project Partners

Better Building Construction NZ Limited (Construction Company), The Designfire Architects & Engineers Ltd (Fire engineer)

Owned By

Gravity X Entertainment Ltd

Gravity X Entertainment introduces New Zealand’s first integrated indoor skiing and surfing facility, combining high-performance sport, dining, and social spaces within a single complex. Housing snow slopes and wave-generating pools under one roof required careful coordination of structure, mechanical systems, and specialist international equipment. Energy-intensive plant and advanced water systems were integrated without compromising budget or design intent. Water recycling supports both snowmaking and surfing operations, while efficient lighting and high-performance insulation reduce day-to-day energy demand. The result is a technically ambitious recreation facility delivered safely and on programme, demonstrating how complex engineering, immersive design, and disciplined execution can converge in a single, high-performance destination.