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Embracing building innovation The 2018 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards have received record entries this year, with many embracing the collaborative and innovative technologies required to transform our construction industry. The prestigious awards, run by the Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA), set the benchmark for commercial construction in New Zealand. The 2018 winners will be announced at a national gala event on May 18 at Skycity in Auckland. “These awards give us the opportunity to recognise the whole of the team involved in these projects and to celebrate and share the innovation that is happening across the sector,” says Registered Master Builders'chief executive, David Kelly. “Globally and here in New Zealand, the construction industry is seen as being slow to innovate and embrace new technologies, but these awards show there are many projects which are bucking this trend and looking for new ways to collaborate and innovate. “Nearly half (43 percent) of this year’s entries have worked to de-risk the construction process by ensuring contractors are engaged and involved early in the process. Early collaboration between client, contractor and consultants are key for these complex projects. “A quarter of this year’s projects used Building Information Modelling (BIM). This collaboration and management software is
becoming more prevalent internationally and we are pleased to see it also being used here in New Zealand.” This year’s entries are also embracing new technologies and products. Over a quarter (26 percent) used 3D printing, 38 percent utilised pre-fabrication, and 23 percent used smart materials. “As an industry we need to discuss and share our learnings and innovations more. That is a key focus for the Commercial Project Awards,” David says. “The extremely high calibre of entries we have received this year reflect the scale and diversity of commercial building work being done across the country. The entrants are examples we can look to as an industry to demonstrate some of the amazing innovations taking place to meet the demands of construction growth and seismic strength.” The 87 entrants include the refurbishment of Speights Brewery in Dunedin, the transformation of a 1926 Methodist Theological College in Auckland to suit the needs of the Church of Scientology, the building of a state of the art plant and food research facility for Port Nelson, and the
creation of a “dream” milking facility in Waipapa, Northland. The Awards recognise and celebrate the contribution of the professionals that work on commercial building projects – big and small – from architects and engineers to project managers and quantity surveyors. The whole project team is vital when it comes to building the quality environments where we all live, work, and play. The 2018 categories include: Heritage/ Restoration Project, Retail Project, Civic Project, Construction Marketing Services Education Project, Industrial Project, Commercial Project, the PlaceMakers Tourism and Leisure Project, the Altus Health Project, the Winstone Wallboards Residential Project, and the Commercial Fit Out Project. There are also four value-based awards, with categories ranging from projects under $2
million, through to over $15 million – and the potential for a Special Award for any outstanding project worthy of recognition. The highest accolade of the Awards – the Platinum Award – is given to an entrant who has won five or more national titles. This can only be awarded to an organisation once. “Last year’s Supreme Award winner, The Remarkables Base Building in Queenstown, entered by Arrow International (NZ) Limited, was an impressive display of collaboration and teamwork across the entire project team that made the high standard of workmanship in such extreme climatic conditions, from high winds to snow, possible.” The New Zealand Commercial Project Awards are sponsored by PlaceMakers, Altus, GIB, Allied Concrete, Construction Marketing Services and Carters.
Construction gets safer Fewer tradies are being killed or seriously injured at work. The Towards 2020 report into New Zealand’s workplace death and injury rates shows the fatality rate in the construction industry has more than halved since 2011, and is now lower than the national rate. Of the five sectors tracked by government health and safety watchdog WorkSafe, construction recorded the lowest fatality rate in 2016. Site Safe chief executive Alison Molloy says the results reflected the industry’s ongoing commitment to improving health and safety. “It’s heartening to see all the hard work by New Zealand businesses, workers, industry organisations and government paying off. “In 2011, for every 100,000 workers, an average of almost seven construction workers were being killed each year. By 2016, that number was at just under two workers.” The work-related fatality rate for construction in 2016 was 1.9 per 100,000 fulltime workers, compared to the national average of 2.1. The report found serious injury rates in the industry are also improving, with rates steadily declining since 2013. Ms Molloy says the improvement shows behaviours across the industry are starting to change, with many businesses and workers no longer tolerating the old “she’ll be right” attitude. 14 | B&C - Issue #111
“Employers – both big and small – and workers on the ground are really standing up and taking responsibility for health and safety. “Site Safe is proud to be contributing to that change, and proud to be helping our industry as it continues to improve. “However, there is still more work to be done and we can’t afford to be complacent – two deaths is still two too many.”
Site Safe backs apprenticeship programme In a bid to support hundreds of young apprentices, Site Safe is offering training providers discounted health and safety courses as part of the nationwide Skills Week initiative. Skills Week, a one-week work readiness course developed by the Skills Organisation,
www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz
is the first block course of a specialist trades apprenticeship and includes training on employment skills, first aid, basic trade calculations and health and safety. Site Safe chief executive Alison Molloy says understanding the benefits of health and safety is essential for any apprentice. “Site Safe is pleased to be joining others around the country who are doing their bit to improve the labour shortage, boost skills across the industry and provide young people with great career paths. “Site Safe has been encouraging young people into the industry by offering student discounts on training for many years now, and we’re excited to be able to ramp this up
by extending this opportunity to even more organisations this year. “Completing Site Safe’s ‘Foundation Passport – Building Construction’ in the first block course of their apprenticeship helps these plumbing, gas fitting, drain laying, electrical, roofing and scaffolding apprentices to learn the skills they need to stay safe on site at the very earliest opportunity.” Di Lithgow, head of engagement at Skills Organisation, says Skills Week is designed to set the foundation for a successful apprenticeship. “Our hands-on approach gives apprentices the knowledge to thrive in their chosen workplace. It also ensures they meet the requirements of the Trainee Limited Certificate.”