if these walls could talk

Taking an interior fit-out from concept to reality takes a practiced hand. When consideration has to be given to environmental sustainability, the level of expertise required increases exponentially.

For Scott Blakelock, Hawkins Interiors' project manager for the NZI Centre fit-out, the challenges associated with providing an interior capable of achieving a 5-Star Green Star rating were many.

"At the time of undertaking the fit-out there was no New Zealand tool that set out best-practice standards, so we were effectively pioneering the process."

As well as the complexities involved in meeting the ESD requirements, the site itself proved demanding.

"Delivery access to the site was particularly tight and had to be on a floor-by-floor basis. This meant having sectional completions throughout the project instead of one continuous process. Continual co-ordination between base build and fit-out was required to ensure the programmes of each were met," says Blakelock.

"It's a testament to all contractors on site, both base build and fit-out, that despite the extra effort, the day-to-day execution was pretty much faultless."

For details, contact Hawkins Interiors, PO Box 6148, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141, phone (09) 368 4378, fax (09) 369 5083. Email: interiors@hawkins.co.nz. Website: www.hawkins.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas