shortening the odds

THE ABILITY to think outside the square and find the solution to any problem should never be underestimated. Especially when that square is an office building, and the challenges are more than conjectural.

When engaged as the main contractor on the fit-out of the New Zealand Lotteries building in Auckland, Mainzeal Interiors faced more than their fair share of challenges, says manager Nigel Crosland.

"With its hi-tech nature and emphasis on security, it's not often that you come across a job of this type."

As the new offices were to house the Lotteries' high-security national operations centre, the main emphasis was to construct this area as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption during the changeover from the existing facility.

The building consisted of three floors and a basement carpark, with the operations centre to be located on the first floor. This meant adding extra structural support to the first floor.

"The only way to achieve that was by working from within the basement carpark. Structural columns were created in sections that were man-handled into place to provide the needed support," explains Crosland.

After the operations centre was constructed stage one of the job the remaining two stages of work could be carried out. The second stage consisted of re-roofing the building, the installation of a new lift shaft and the extension of the existing chiller platform.

The third and final stage was the hard fit-out of the three levels, incorporating office space, meeting rooms and open-plan work spaces. Each level received new flooring, ceilings, air-conditioning and data services.

Crosland says the project's success was due to the team effort between Mainzeal Interiors, Lotteries staff and management, Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner, Wingate + Farquhar and key sub-contractors.

For information, contact Mainzeal Interiors, level 10, 385 Queen Street, Auckland, phone (09) 375 2100, fax (09) 375 2102. Email: mzakl@mainzeal.co.nz or visit the website: www.mainzeal.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas