| Client: | MoE - Wellington East Girls College |
| Location | 9 Matai St, Tawa, Wellington |
| Consultants | Covekinlock New Zealand Ltd |
| Architect | McKenzie Higham Architects |
CCi were approached to price this project, via an Early Contractor Engagement process. After several rounds of budgeting and feasibility analysis the project was given the green light by MOE.
The agreed scope of works was targeted improvements to the cladding and substructure in localised areas, to provide remediation solutions for issues caused by water ingress and black mould. To ensure this was achieved successfully, the monolithic cladding was removed and replaced with weatherboards on a cavity batten system and the flashing system improved. Sections of framing were replaced, and some walls were rebuilt. The retained timber structure was treated with Framesaver (a treatment preservative).
Keeping to programme was of utmost importance because the school needed to move back in over the term break. To facilitate that, CCi accelerated the works twice. Firstly, to mitigate a two-week delay due to a delayed building consent issue, and secondly, to incorporate additional work areas identified by the building surveyor. Multiple work faces were opened, meaning that at its peak, three labour crews were engaged to resource the project in order to meet the deadlines.
CCi employed two further strategies to ensure re-occupation at the nominated time:
- Work elements were rescheduled so that any tasks which had potential to take longer than planned, were restricted to areas of the school which would not be habited by students i.e. painting the weatherboards in the back section in a fenced-off area; and
- CCi applied shrink-wrap, and also built enclosed scaffold structures at workfaces that were most at risk of delays due to weather. These areas were monitored a daily basis.
CCi devised a concise programme and work sequence. CCi’s Site Manager kept in constant contact with the Project Team consultants and was well aware of any detail change or deviation. This prompt action and reaction to any site queries kept momentum going and minimised delays at hold points.
The positive professional relationship between CCi and the project team members lead to open debate of issues, sensible and cost-effective determinations of solutions and prompt financial decision making. Behind the scenes, the project team had: confidence in CCi’s ability to make quick decisions; CCi’s ability to respond quickly to site queries; and provision of financial updates, which influenced the project scope.
CCi completed the project QA checklist and liaised directly with the surveyor regarding the extent of remediation work and quality of the installed detail. To ensure efficiency, documentation was signed off as work was completed, then compiled into a master document and submitted at completion.
Due to the attention to detail; clever programming; and the commitment of everyone involved - including the contractors - to meet the deadline, the project was handed over at the agreed date and within budget. The project exceeded MOE’s and the school users’ expectations.
Most crucially MOE commented that CCi were completely on board with the deliverables of the project and actively worked with the school to accomplish all requirements of the project.
Innovations on this project:
- The old sandpit sand was recycled into the basecourse of landscaping siteworks instead of going to landfill;
- Salvaged carpet was placed on the roof to protect surfaces at work zones, reducing construction waste;
- Responsibility for photographing construction details was delegated to the carpenters, who used a site camera. This gave the carpenters ownership and a sense of pride in the work, and increased engagement, whilst at the same time increasing accountability for workmanship;
- Through the sharing aspect of the Procore software management tool, project team members, and any other stakeholders, had real time access to photos, project updates and the ability to transfer documents in timely and effective manner;
- The weatherboard was ordered form the factory with the first paint finish coat already applied;
- Weather-related disruptions and delays; were minimised through the use of stratigised shrink-wrap; and
- WCC Inspections were scheduled early and to occur on a weekly basis so that critical milestones were met.