“A slick new workshop, yard, and head office for one of Hamilton’s major construction companies”

Site, context, presence

With a solid wall facing the busy Boulevard, the built form creates a visible barrier to traffic, and affords openings on its remaining 3 sides. Administration offices are aligned on the sunny northern side of the building, while a bank of smaller units are located against a neighbouring building.

Relationship between concept, form, structure

A simple concept, carried through to a cost-effective steel portal structure. The main building is effectively a square box that allows for flexibility of future layouts. Similarly, the bank of units are designed to enable further subdivision or combinations of space if required.

Light, colour, texture, space

The exterior wall colours are charcoal coloured in order to contrast with the prominent soffit and roadside wall. A double height reception space leads through to a mixture of open plan office areas and individual offices, with the staff/board room opening out onto an elevated deck. Corporate theming has been included in the exterior (logo and signage) and interior (reception signage and coloured wall channels).

Structure, construction, materials, detail

The main building is a mix of light industrial and modern office genres, tied together by consistent horizontal junction lines and window transoms. Hebel aerated concrete has been used on the street frontage, providing acoustic separation from the road.

Environmental

Apart from orientation for maximum solar access to the offices, the building incorporates energy efficient lighting and variable air volume heat pump technology.

User satisfaction

Winning a gold medal in the 2008 Master Builders Awards, Foster Construction are proud to showcase their new building on their website and in their marketing literature.

Contribution/spirit

With its clearly defined, modern lines the building provides a functional workshop while projecting an appropriate image for a modern construction company.