Mainzeal House - Refurbishment

Client:          Richina

Project Brief

Mainzeal have been given the perfect opportunity to showcase our integrated delivery model and use expertise from across our business units. We are regenerating a four storey commercial office building that was built in the 1980’s into Mainzeal’s new Auckland head office.
Mainzeal’s Construction team started on site at 200 Victoria Street in August but Mainzeal’s involvement began back in early 2011. Mainzeal’s Project Definition, King Façade and Facilities Management divisions worked closely with the designers to ensure our brief was well defined and the building transformation was designed in a way that optimised value for money and whole of life costs.
The existing building known to many Aucklanders as ‘the Kathmandu building’ is a 1980’s building with retail on the ground floor and three stories of office space above.
“1980’s buildings are amongst the worst performers in terms of thermal comfort, energy efficiency and quality”, says Neil Purdie, Head of Mechanical at Aurecon, and leading their services team on the job. “Typically black glass and black mullions act like radiant heaters and the hydronic air-conditioning is either blowing air that is too cold or too hot.”
Working with the architects and engineers, the brief was to use the existing structure and re-life the building. Mainzeal wants to provide a workplace environment that reflects our business ideals and delivers a sustainable and healthy environment for staff. Showcasing the Mainzeal integrated business model whilst delivering a commercially and practically feasible refurbishment gives Mainzeal the perfect opportunity to walk the talk.
Walking the talk includes ensuring Mainzeal House is an energy efficient building that provides improved comfort for occupants, delivering reduced operating costs and improving staff productivity. Mainzeal is targeting a 5 Green Star Built rating for the project.
Neil Purdie said, “Designing this 5 star project for Mainzeal will set a new benchmark for refurbished buildings in New Zealand. 200 Victoria Street is being transformed from a 1980’s ‘black dog’ into a sleek 21st century flagship for Green Star refurbishments.”
The Project Definition team’s early work with the designers resulted in the establishment of an outline scope of suitable detail for a robust cost plan to be produced. This allowed the developing design to move forward with clear cost parameters in place. Working closely with suppliers and sub-contractors at an early stage has also led to timely adoption of optimised solutions.
Using the in-house Building Information Modeling (BIM) capability within our Project Definition team we are able to combine façade, structure and services information within one coordinated 3D model. This has allowed us to identify clashes, analyse quantities for accurate scheduling and have elements such as ductwork sized for fabrication. This ability to identify gaps in information and have queries answered earlier avoids costly change orders.
With the design models linked together, Mainzeal is able to run ‘what if’ scenarios and virtually test design changes. The software also allows Mainzeal to animate the construction sequencing and see a visual representation of the programme which provides us with an additional tool in our task analysis and planning.
King Facade is providing the external glazing at Mainzeal House. It is an innovative double glazed thermally broken curtain wall system, and will contribute significant Green Star points due to its efficiency in reducing energy consumption required for heating and cooling the building.
Mainzeal’s Facilities Management unit worked with the designers to analyse whole of life costs. Together they selected building services and materials that will perform efficiently both in terms of their energy use and their maintenance requirements.
Construction is well underway with the building stripped out and the roof structure complete. With good progress being made on site, Mainzeal’s Auckland office staff are looking forward to moving in next year.