European influence

A good management team is essential if the many and diverse threads of a large commercial project are to be successfully drawn together.

As part of an umbrella partnering agreement, Octa Associates facilitated and implemented the design and construction of 8 Nugent, which was to be an A-grade building with a Green Star rating in a non-CBD area.

A key feature of the project was achieving resource consent for potential design solutions, which were constrained by requirements to maintain volcanic sightlines and on completion, to replant two existing trees that had been removed during works.

Another issue was the large height difference diagonally across the site, reflected in the existing building to be refurbished. To resolve this, the plaza was levelled and a single central entry created, with the consequence that major earthmoving works, requiring council consent, were needed.

Director and general manager of Octa, Ray Bryant says one of the keys to the project was to simplify and standardise the structure.

"This kept buildability high and costs low and allowed us to focus on key structural design features such as the castellated concrete feature walls.

"Because of the length of the programme and nature of the development, we were asked to plan a schedule and strategy that incorporated all five buildings, and which could be adapted to meet the demand at the time of completion," says Bryant.

This strategy included staged possession of various parts of the site to maintain existing tenants to the end of their lease terms. This required multiple building consents to suit the various scenarios.

"Our cautious approach gave us the flexibility to adapt the design, construction scope and programme, which was an advantage in the economic downturn in the last quarter of 2008," says Bryant.

For more information, contact Octa Associates, Level 4, 130 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, PO Box 4167, Auckland 1140, phone (09) 379 3805, fax (09) 379 3542. Email: ray.bryant@ak.octa.co.nz. Website: www.octa.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas