Nauhria Precast has won the 2013 Supreme Concrete3 Sustainability Award for the redevelopment of Takapuna’s Hurstmere Green into a contemporary and vibrant public space.
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The Award, presented at the annual New Zealand Concrete Conference in Queenstown on Friday 4 October, celebrated the rejuvenation of what had become an overgrown and under-utilised park into an attractive and accessible community facility that has helped breathe new life into the surrounding Takapuna shopping area, says Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ) chief executive Rob Gaimster.
Sills Van Bohemen Architects were responsible for project design, while Kalmar Construction were the contractor.
The judging panel applauded the quality of Nauhria Precast’s bespoke precast elements, manufactured using Monarc diamond processing technology, which provide the hard landscaping frame and retaining capability for Hurstmere Green, as well as a range of superbly finished concrete surfaces.
“This project demonstrates a high degree of expertise across all areas. Modern, yet sensitive urban landscape design has been brought to life by astute material selection and outstanding skill during construction. The elegant hard concrete landscaping, and the gentle undulations and organic shapes of the green areas combine with stunning effect to reinvigorate a community facility that proudly embodies the principles of sustainable concrete construction,” judges say.
The manufacturing process for the precast panels paid particular attention to environmentally responsible practices, with all process water recycled along with the slurry from the surface finish refinement process.
Precast, pre-finished elements also allowed for rapid and efficient assembly on-site, while the enhanced durability offered through concrete will ensure longevity and low maintenance throughout an extended service life for this much loved community space.
On its way to the top prize, the Nauhria Precast team was also presented with the Excellence in Concrete for the Community category award.
Images: Simon Devitt.