Bealey Lodge wins the Engineering Innovation Prize at the Timber Design Awards

Published by Margaret Browne at March 17, 2017

The All Stars Inn on Bealey Ave in Christchurch was awarded the highly-coveted Engineering Innovation prize at the Timber Design Awards. Hampton Jones are very proud to have been the quantity surveyors on this project. Bealey Lodge in Christchurch has been designed as a cutting-edge response utilising innovative construction techniques, to our client’s requirement for a new accommodation option, following the demolition of the existing backpackers on the site due to earthquake damage.

Designed and built from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels, the innovative building responds to the tricky site conditions of peat-heavy soil and a high water table. Traditional construction methods would have required excavation and remedial works, making this project costly and unfeasible, so the lightweight CLT panels were the ideal solution.

The panels are manufactured off-site at XLam in Nelson, which means once on-site, they are quick to assemble, making them ideal to meet the tight 12-month timeframe that accompanied this project. The pre-fabricated nature of the product also allows for extreme accuracy, as they are trimmed to exact sizes and edge profiles at a CNC machining centre.

Other benefits of the CLT construction method include strength, sustainability and performance; CLT panels are made from solid wood boards glued together in layers running in opposite directions, making them very strong and durable. Being timber, the panels come from a renewable source, and wood stores carbon, therefore reducing the carbon footprint of this building. The CLT panels are high performing; they exceed fire performance criteria, have excellent acoustic qualities, enhanced airtightness and thermal insulation values.

In addition to the high performance of the building materials, CLT panels have the added benefit of having a stunning natural finish.
The completed lodge with its 250 beds, features a beautiful, yet simple timber interior, which perfectly showcases the New Zealand wood to the many overseas tourists who briefly call Bealey Lodge home during their stay.

Phil Neale, Regional Lead for Quantity Surveying in Christchurch says:

“Our appointment to the project was by recommendation from the ANZ Bank and the Property Owner.
Our responsibilities were to review the project proposal and contractual agreements between parties,
prepare an initial QS report for funding purposes and to monitor the project on a monthly basis during the construction phase.

This included the preparation of monthly progress reports and financial recommendations for draw down purposes. The project completion was driven by an agreed lease date which had to be met, so there were occasions when commercial decisions had to be made in order to maintain the project target.

The occasional “nail biting” moment did occur but we got there on the day! The building was handed over to the lodge operator on the due date and the Building Owner has added this attractive building to his current property portfolio. In addition, the project achieved a very economical $ rate/m2 GFA – how could a QS wish for anything more?”