Client: Wairaki Properties Limited
Architect: Avery Architects
Project Manager: Warren Gibb for Giltrap Group
Structural Engineer: Brown & Thomson
Quantity Surveyor: Dean Murray and Partners
Project Description
Construction of a new 800m2 showroom for Volvo new car sales within an existing office building incorporating links between the new showroom and the existing Archibald and Shorter showrooms and yard on the neighbouring property.
The Challenge
A significant challenge was to apply the corporate imaging supplied by Volvo in Sweden, to an existing building. The corporate imaging was supplied in the form of photographs from international Volvo dealerships these had to be converted to products available in New Zealand and meeting New Zealand Building Codes. Programme was critical for the success of the project, the Volvo Round the World Ocean Race was due to arrive 27th February 2015 and the building had to be completed so that the senior management from Volvo together with their guests who were visiting NZ for the Race events could also inspect Volvos latest showroom.
The Solution
To apply the Volvo Corporate imaging to New Zealand products, RCC had to supply samples of products available and meeting NZBC from which to confirm product selections. This applied to the numerous wood and glass features throughout the building along with the vinyl plank flooring and the tiles. One consideration which had to be worked through was the NZ Fire Codes for timber which are much more stringent than those in Europe with all timber clear finished there was needed to be intumescent treated whilst maintaining a very high standard of finish. The compressed programme was resultant from delays with design sign off and consents whilst the completion date remained fixed by the arrival of the Volvo Round the World Race. This necessitated critical short term projects being developed to ensure programme milestones were achieved. Weekend and night works was required to achieve the key dates with the tile floor being laid through Christmas which allowed unfettered access from the tillers on this critical activity.