High impact

The Description of Works in the Supreme Court tender documents describes the buildings as "national monuments where all the work shall stand as evidence of the country's very best endeavours, unable to be faulted, and fit to be viewed with pride by present and future generations".

Working to this brief, Aquaheat Industries a metal roofing and cladding specialist was contracted to source and fabricate high-quality, low-maintenance, traditionally styled standing-seam metal roofing that would be in keeping with the heritage-listed Old High Court while also suiting the new building. The company was also contracted to source and fabricate sustainable copper and bronze cladding for the exterior of the elliptical orb courtroom.

Tim Meulenbroeks, Aquaheat Industries roofing division manager says the company installed Aquaheat Classic Metal¢ VM Zinc® angle seam profile roofing to both buildings. Aquaheat also installed diamond-shaped TECU® copper and bronze panels to the courtroom exterior. The copper and bronze were chosen for their durability, colour and the patina that will form over time. Hook seam shingles were chosen for their flat profile, diamond shape and their ability to cover irregular-shaped structures.

"Every panel on the orb is different and was individually measured and hand made," says Meulenbroeks. "The job required specialist skills not readily available in New Zealand. For this reason we brought in additional Swiss artisans to work alongside our own European-trained personnel."

Additional work included the manufacture and installation of ten large, traditionally styled VM zinc roof ventilators for the Old High Court building.

Aquaheat Industries Ltd

92-96 Main Rd, PO Box 51031, Tawa, Wellington 5249Phone (04) 232 5179 Fax (04) 232 4170www.aquaheat.co.nz roofing@aquaheat.co.nz

Story by: Trendsideas