The top Excellence Award winners from all categories (except Young Achiever), were eligible to win the GIB Supreme Award.
The finalists in this category were:
• Resene Projects Under $5 Million Category: Kane Blank, Aspec Construction, Auckland
• Steel Construction NZ Projects $10 to $20 Million Category: Craig Harris, Naylor Love, Christchurch
• Carters Projects $20 to $35 Million Category: James Sutherland, CMP Construction, Auckland
• GIB Projects $35 to $100 Million Category: Carl Bohnen, Naylor Love, Wellington
• BBD Projects Over $100 Million Category: James Reed, Dominion Constructors, Auckland
• James Hardie Innovation Category: Baran Balaban, Spiral Drillers Civil, Auckland
• Site Safe & CHASNZ Safety Excellence Category: Teck Khing Yong & Daniel Chang Liu, Livefirm Construction, Auckland
• Dahua Technology Consultants Category: Kelly Haora, Griffiths & Associates, Whangerei
• Hays Interdisciplinary Collaboration Category: The Mt Eden Corrections Facility Building C, Auckland
This year’s winner of the GIB Supreme Award was James Reed from Dominion Constructors, for his work on the University of Auckland Waiparuru Hall project.
The site, adjacent to the University’s campus, is narrow and on a 45-degree bank heading down towards the motorway. Over 7,000 square metres of rock had to be removed to create a flat site for the 12- and 14-storey towers. BIM was used to work through the design, minimising on-site delays and re-works. Previous plans to develop the site had proved too challenging, as it is surrounded by residential high-rises, businesses and a busy motorway port exit. As Project Manager, James embraced technology, using BIM and other new technologies where possible to simplify and enhance the build process.
The project provided numerous challenges over the 36-month build; design, logistics and programme being key concerns. Housing 786 school-leavers from around the country meant there was no flexibility on the opening date. The site meant delivery management was a key component. Deliveries had to be done just-in-time as there was no standby on the street. James pushed for prefab toilet pods, an innovative approach that improved quality, but which required careful planning, given the lack of space on-site.
The judges noted that this project started as a hard tender then was converted to an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI). They said James was an integral part of the research behind the builder-led proposal to supply the bathrooms as modular toilet pods, as opposed to a traditional bathroom fit-out method as originally designed, as he was with the proposal to change the foundation work to a raft design. Both proposals were accepted by the client, who saw James as the main factor in delivering an exceptional result. James demonstrated excellent leadership skills, promoted innovative solutions, and utilised an array of technologies that enhanced the project delivery.
A few words from Brett Russell, Managing Director, Dominion Constructors…
Well done James! Having completed a Dominion cadetship in Project Management, winning the Young Achiever category in 2017, taking on this challenging project, and now being recognised by your peers for Excellence, not only in the category but also as Supreme Winner, is testament to your dedication, skill and strength of leadership. Congratulations to you and the Waiparuru team for this great accolade.
