Hawkins Shines Brightly The annual NZ Institute of Building Awards (NZIOB) are coveted within the building industry because they recognise the specific contribution individuals or teams make to the success of a project. And this year Hawkins stole the show with 11 finalists across the six award categories, four Excellence winners and the overall Supreme Award. John Overton from Hawkins and John Sofo from ASC Architects were jointly awarded both the Supreme Award and Sustainability Excellence Award* for Papamoa College, in the Bay of Plenty. The eighth schooling project that ASC and Hawkins have worked on together, their level of partnership was highlighted with the fastest delivery of a new secondary school - 17.5 months for design, consenting and construction. The judges acknowledged that ‘the ‘Two Johnnies‘ had a profound impact through championing a revolutionary learning system (‘inquiry based learning’ where teachers help facilitate learning working with up to 100 students in an open area supported by smaller spaces – a community of students not segregated by age or subject). They achieved enormous engagement for both this new educational concept and the project’s 5 Green Star focus from the local community, empowering local subcontractors’ (180 at any one time) buy-in, curiosity and contribution. This culture of openness and questioning has seen the school’s Green Star focus become a learning resource for the school. Reinforcing the educational smarts, Hawkins Robert Kumarich won the Under $5M Excellence Award, for the second stage of Auckland’s Mission Heights Primary School meeting the tight budget, and delivering ahead of schedule within an operational environment. The judges acknowledged his meticulous planning and ‘engaging’ leadership bringing all stakeholders together cohesively. And although pipped at the post in the Innovation Category, Hawkins Barry Cowling and Ian Morris earned the $5M-25M Excellence Award for the Waitomo Visitors Centre. Success was attributed to the outstanding collaborative teamwork of Barry and Ian being involved in both winning the project and then taking it through to completion. Specialist design and building techniques took eight months off the programme. The project highlights Hawkins capacity for real innovation and the company’s growing reputation in working with consultants to deliver projects of high engineering and design value. In the $25M-75M category, of the five finalists three of the entries were from Hawkins: Gil Davies and Gary Nisbet for the Auckland International Airport; Alun Larsen for the Aotea Square Redevelopment and Richard Jack, whose entry for the Christchurch Civic Centre, was highly commended. And in the $75M+ category, two of the three finalists were from Hawkins. Steve Taw was nominated for his contribution to the Hilton Hotel in Queenstown, a complex project, with Terry Buchan and Craig Treloar winning the Excellence Award for the East 1&2 Office Complex in Britomart, Auckland. The judges noted that both Terry and Craig led by example, sharing responsibilities and inspiring their team. Not only was the project fast tracked, to a Guaranteed Maximum Price, working with novated consultants but part way through the contract the scope was increased by 30%. Fit-outs for three major corporations were integrated into the 12 storey - 40,000m2 complex without extending the completion date. Hawkins CEO Chris Hunter acknowledges the significance of the awards. “This year’s winners join a prestigious line-up of Hawkins winners from prior years. It is a great honour to be nominated for one of these awards, and then to go on and win. But I know every Hawkins finalist would view their success as a celebration of the efforts of the entire team,” says Chris.*Of the four finalists for the Sustainability Award, three were Hawkins teams - John Overton and John Sofo for Papamoa College, Richard Jack for the Christchurch Civic Building and Terry Buchan and Craig Treloar for East 1&2 buildings in Britomart, Auckland.
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So who is McConnell Group? McConnell Group is made up of a group of complementary businesses - Hawkins, McConnell Property, Steelpipe, Harker Underground Construction and Element NZ. As one of New Zealand's largest privately owned construction, property and infrastructure groups our passion is 'creating and building project based businesses.' More>> Who leads McConnell Group? The leadership of McConnell Group is made up of the combined leadership resource of Hawkins, McConnell Property and Steelpipe. Chris Hunter, CEO Hawkins; Peter Alexander, CEO Steelpipe and Commercial Manager McConnell Group; Nigel Richards, General Manager McConnell Property; and David McConnell Managing Director McConnell Group; are part of the McConnell Group leadership team. They see value in being part of a group, sharing and learning from each other through the complementary 'project focused' nature of the businesses. John McConnell is Executive Director and Mike Wardle Chief Financial Officer. What is the role of McConnell Group? The role of McConnell Group is to support and strengthen the operating businesses. McConnell Group is not an operating company. It ensures that, if and when required, targeted resources are found and put in place to support and strengthen the operating businesses. |
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