Life in the fast lane

The success of a mixed-use development that involves both the restoration of heritage structures and the construction of new buildings ultimately comes down to teamwork. Tony Sutherland, director and lead estimator for quantity surveyors Rider Levett Bucknall, says the success of the Chews Lane project was the result of the close relationships between key parties.

"Willis Bond, LT McGuinness, Wareham Cameron, Athfield Architects, Dunning Thornton, Beca and RLBworked together with trust and understanding, so everyone was headed in the same direction to achieve a successful outcome. This environment also meant there was early warning of potential budget issues, which gave everyone the ability to react."

Sutherland says RLB was contracted to the project from the outset, helping work on early concept designs. The company then monitored the various stages of the project as the design developed.

"There are always specific challenges involved in a mixed-use development, particularly if the project incorporates both old and new buildings. When there are various levels of structural upgrades, historic building retention and the construction of new buildings above operational buildings, a project is invariably more complex. Again, the success of this part of the project is a direct reflection of the teamwork and the quality of professional advice and decision making."

For more details, contact Rider Levett Bucknall, PO Box 27013, Wellington 6141, phone (04) 384 9198. Website: www.rlb.com.

Story by: Trendsideas