Crowning glory

CRUNCHING the numbers on a major construction project is a complicated process at the best of times, let alone on an iconic project that is in the midst of being completed while fundraising activity continues to take place. However, this was the challenging scenario facing global quantity surveyors Rider Hunt, when they ensured the numbers added up on the Grand Atrium project in Auckland.

Further extending the achievements of the world-renowned quantity surveying firm, the one-of-a-kind museum project was delivered at the peak of a heated construction market, which had seen some materials escalating in price by up to 15%.

"This project was slightly different, in that it was undertaken as an alliance partnering," says Sam Lomax, who worked on the project along with Rider Hunt director Steve Gracey.

"While there was a target price set from the beginning, the ongoing process required us to identify where potential cost overruns could occur. This required constant consideration of design alternatives. For example, an original concept was for Victorian ash cladding on the bowl, and shingles were another option considered. For the atrium floor, granite was an original option, yet basalt was eventually selected."

"At the tender stage, the design of the Grand Atrium was incomplete," he says. "One of the challenges was juggling the budgetary constraints so that the level of specification still did justice to the design."

During construction, the project was broken up into five modules. While module one was being built, the next was being funded. While this allowed construction to begin much earlier than otherwise would have been the case, it also meant that to account for any possible shortcomings in future modules, alternatives to designs were constantly being evaluated well in advance of construction.

To contact Rider Hunt phone (09) 309 1074 or email: rhak@riders.co.nz. To contact Rider Hunt's offices throughout New Zealand Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Wellington and Christchurch visit the website: www.riderhunt.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas