Winter has brought a slew of awards for Sumner’s beautiful new library, museum and community centre, much to the delight of the company that built it. Armitage Williams Construction is proud of its role in helping create something special for the public of Sumner.
Designed by Athfield Architects and supported along the way by The Building Intelligence Group, Quoin, Mott MacDonald, Aecom and Olsson Fire & Risk, Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre has been very well-received by the local community since it opened last August on the corner of Wakefield Ave and Nayland Street. It replaces quake-damaged facilities.
At this year’s prestigious Property Industry Awards, the centre was recognised with an excellence award in the Warren and Mahoney Civic and Arts category.
This followed a gold award for Armitage Williams Construction at the 2018 NZ Commercial Projects Awards, run by the Registered Master Builders Association.
As well, Athfield Architects received a planning and urban design award for the centre at the 2018 NZIA Canterbury Architecture Awards.
“We’re really pleased at this all-round recognition being received for Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre,” says Armitage Williams Construction head project manager Craig Greene.
“It’s exciting that the community can now enjoy the building and we’re very glad to be associated with it.”
Sumner’s coastal character and history is reflected in the centre’s design that includes original/ recycled features.
Artwork and carvings inside add to the centre’s strong cultural presence. It sits on sturdy raft foundations and has a robust steel and precast panel structure.
“This is a unique multi-purpose building that really is achieving what the Christchurch City Council wanted; it has become established as the place to go for people living in Sumner and everyone is massively benefi tting from that now. It gives the community a real heart.”
Craig believes the end result is a credit to the council, which worked closely with various steering groups to achieve a building that would serve the whole community.
Building the centre on its tight corner site required a real team effort that at times unavoidably impinged on neighbouring businesses. “We disrupted everybody around that site for nearly a year.
Sumner’s coastal character and history are reflected in the Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre’s design.
“There was other development work going on too so we were another link in the chain. We can’t thank the community enough for their patience at the time and we’re so happy they’re now getting the use of the building.”
Armitage Williams Construction could be described as a quiet high achiever in the Christchurch building construction scene.
Established in 1985, the company continues to go from strength to strength and today has a highly experienced team of more than 100 staff members. This latest award winning project further rein forces its reputation as a quality builder, delivering value for money and outstanding results.
Other award winning projects for the company have included the new St Andrew’s College Chapel, the Christchurch Club and the PwC Centre.
Upcoming projects include commercial buildings in Cathedral Square, city doctors’ surgeries/pharmaceuticals and aged care homes.
“We have a wide range of skill sets in commercial construction, including heritage, retail, ecclesiastical, education and health. “Sixty per cent of our business is also repeat work so we have a good local name with our clients.”
At this year’s NZ Commercial Projects Awards, it was noted that early collaboration was often a key factor in securing successful outcomes.
Craig says Armitage Williams Construction certainly recommends the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) approach as a way to mitigate risk and to bring greater certainty.
Meanwhile, innovation continues to transform the commercial construction sector through the application of tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and prefabrication.
For the Sumner Centre project, where lay-down space was limited, many components were made off-site and transported to the site when required.
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Award winning recognition for centre
Artwork and carvings inside add to the centre’s strong cultural presence.
