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Soggy Start for Hawkins Construction

Following from the Turning of the Sod ceremony, the Hawkins team quickly commenced site preparation works including earthworks, installing access roads and erecting fencing around the construction site.

During the heavy rain, site preparation was halted and the newly excavated site mirrored more of a lake than the new foundations for a hospital.

Despite the weather, Martin Edwards, Project Manager for Hawkins considered that the project was still running on track and commented “that a real sense of the size and shape of the footprint is becoming apparent”

The next couple of weeks will see the site develop the hard base from which the foundations will rise and around mid August (subject to sign off by the Health Minister) the underslab drainage and concrete will begin to track across the site towards the current Emergency Department.

Architects Propose Exterior Concept

On Tuesday July 1 2008, the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board reviewed the proposed “exterior concepts” produced by the architectural consultants, Maunsell. These concepts included the design and colour scheme for the new facility.

Feedback from the Board would then be given the project team on the exterior and how it might look.

The concept was designed to blend in as much as possible with surrounding residential buildings. The design incorporates gabled forms, which echoed the rolling Wither Hills; the backdrop to the hospital.

The exterior of the hospital will have a mix of materials including pre-finished steel cladding and decorated rockcote panels, complimented by contrasting glazing to provide interest and identity to the scheme. Solar shading will be provided.

Please contact Emily Radnor, Project Administrator / Communications Coordinator for any further information