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Tag: Aotearoa New Zealand

Michael Williamson receives scholarship to attend Timber Conference in Norway

July 25, 2023

Michael Williamson, Design Engineer at Holmes ANZ recently attended the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) in Oslo, Norway, after being awarded a scholarship by the NZ Timber Design Society. We had the pleasure of catching up with Michael to hear more about his amazing trip and what he learned about what’s new in the world of timber.

 

Q: How did you end up going on this trip? What was the process for being selected?

Michael: I was awarded a scholarship from the Timber Design Society. The application was a two-page proposal about how to increase the uptake of engineered timber in NZ. My proposal focused on how to give NZ practitioners the confidence to solve engineered timber challenges through sharing challenges and solutions on real world projects. There is plenty of uncertainty around many aspects of the delivery of engineered timber projects, and we need to share successes and failures on our NZ projects to help reduce this uncertainty and advance our industry.

 

Q: What inspired you to apply?

Michael: After working on a mass timber project, I found that I enjoyed the technical challenge of timber, so I to gain exposure to the wider industry. Designing in timber is a great way to reduce carbon emissions from construction, so it’s an opportunity for us structural engineers make a difference towards mitigating climate change. Going to Europe was a bonus too!”

 

Q: What was the top 3 take aways from the event?

Michael: My main learnings were around how the the world of timber is changing in regard to structural engineering.

  • Fire performance is still the most limiting, challenging and contentious aspect of mass timber buildings. There were a lot more questions than answers.
  • CLT is really becoming the hot engineered timber product. It’s being used for diaphragms, floor plates in point supported contexts (no gravity beams) and walls as part of the lateral frame. There appears to be strong potential for CLT, but there is still plenty of research and work to be done to increase its uptake.
  • It’s a lot easier to design a mid or high rise mass timber building in regions without earthquakes, but there are some cutting-edge, seismically resistant timber buildings coming out of the West Coast of the States and the Pacific Northwest. We should start to see similar buildings popping up around NZ in the next few years.

 

Q: In your opinion, where do you think NZ ranks currently in relation to the rest of the engineering world when it comes to mass timber and sustainability?

Michael: NZ is a bit behind Europe in regard to the uptake of mass timber, however, our regulations around reducing our construction emissions to achieve the national net zero carbon emissions 2050 target should push us to be a leader in sustainability. There is good reason why NZ is probably a bit behind – we have to deal with a significant seismic hazard, and the knowledge around the seismic performance of mass timber buildings is still developing. In my opinion, NZ ranks near the front for mass timber engineering in regions of high seismicity – perhaps this also says that there is still a bit of work to do in this field.

Q: Tell us one weird thing you ate/drank/saw/did while at the conference. 

Michael: I tried reindeer at a restaurant after the conference!

Congratulations from all of us at Holmes ANZ on winning the scholarship! 

Learnings from the 2023 International Mass Timber Conference

June 2, 2023June 19, 2023

Everything is bigger in the US… and sometimes that is a good thing!

Especially if it allows for the rapid development and adoption of technologies that will help reduce emissions associated with the built environment.

Project Director Lisa Oliver, our resident Mass Timber expert here at Holmes (she’s our Sustainability Leader for Holmes Australia and New Zealand, Holmes’s first ever Greenstar accredited professional, not to mention she is involved in the SESOC Sustainable Design Task Force, the current Vice President of the Timber Design Society, and is also part of the Timber Design Centre governance group) attended the 2023 International Mass Timber Conference held in Portland (Oregan, US) along with thousands of her industry colleagues across the globe.

Here are her three key takeaways from this prestigious industry event:

  1. Smart projects are what we should be aspiring to here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

  2. Just because it’s timber doesn’t mean it’s sustainable.

  3. Collaborate, don’t compete.

The International Mass Timber Conference attracts over 3000 delegates and 150 exhibitors. Lisa says, “It’s huge compared to anything hosted in Aotearoa New Zealand. The US market has big players like Google who are happy to pay extra for ‘jewel box’ timber projects, so the number of multi-storey mass timber projects that were showcased at the conference was far greater than the number of mass timber projects we have at home here in NZ.”

That aside, Lisa’s enthusiasm was refreshed by seeing NZ’s mass timber industry is not that far behind our counterparts in the USA, where this rapid uptake of mass timber has all happened in the last five years. The conference sessions covered the same learnings and advice for timber projects one would hear locally in a Timber Design Society webinar, or WoodWorks NZ conference. And many of the exhibitors were familiar as they are also present in Aotearoa New Zealand.

So, what do we need to do to see a similar increase in the uptake of mass timber here?


1. Understand why you are using timber and optimise for it!

Lisa says the conference highlighted that there are two types of timber projects:

  • ‘Jewel Boxes’ – where timber is used for its aesthetic appeal and to tick a token sustainability box. These tend to get all the press but are rarely cost effective.

  • ‘Smart projects’ – those using timber because through smart design it is determined to be the best construction material. The design of these ‘smart projects’ is often structure-led and involves early collaboration by the whole design team (including contractors and suppliers). These projects achieve low carbon, rapid construction, and cost efficiency. It means they are a competitive option for multi-unit housing and mid-rise commercial buildings. This type of project is what Lisa believes we should be aspiring to. She says, “They don’t need to be completely utilitarian; they can also be amazing spaces! I was fortunate to visit the Thesis HQ building by LEVER Architecture (with Holmes US as the Structural Engineers). It was a great example of a smart project.” See the case study below.


2. Do all you can to make buildings more sustainable.

Conference keynote speaker, Michael Green stated, “We are not building sustainable buildings simply by making them timber”. He agreed timber is a great start to being more sustainable, but we can’t stop there. Michael provided an example of where his team had done an exercise to see how much material could be saved if only what was structurally required was used and found a massive 27% reduction in material was achieved (making the overall structure lighter, which would further reduce the volume of material required). Green envisions a future where buildings are robotically formed with a (yet to be developed) plant-based building material. He thinks this could be locally sourced plant-based fibres that are microscopically cross laminated with natural binders so that it could be sustainably made throughout the world (as the areas with the predicted highest population growth do not have sustainable timber supply). Although we can’t implement this part of Green’s message on current projects, savings can be realised by ensuring architecture is driven by structure and follows the logic of the structure.


3. Collaborate!

In one of the panel discussions titled ‘Are We There Yet? Carbon, Construction & Credibility’, Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of Built by Nature advocated for moving to collaboration, not competition, as together we need to compete to save the planet.

We can only create smart timber buildings if we work together. If we do it well, our joint efforts will make a meaningful impact reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as creating buildings that are cost effective and good for people. Collaboration was the key theme running through the whole conference, and being a conference, it was a great place for people from across the industry to get together and share ideas. Benefits of collaboration include optimising for structural, construction and manufacturing efficiencies, integrating services, and ensuring the required acoustic and fire performance is achieved efficiently.

Another area of collaboration that can’t be overlooked is with those who are going to be the end users of the spaces we are creating and ensuring their voices are contributing to the design. The challenge was put forward to the mass timber sector to build a new industry that is diverse and inclusive from the start — to be a catalyst for change in the entire building and construction industry.


Other snippets of wisdom

Many of the presentations covered advice that will be familiar to timber practitioners here such as:

  • Measure and value the reduced emissions associated with using timber;

  • Consider hybrid construction;

  • And, ensure you are designing for timber rather than trying to make a steel or concrete building out of timber.

“I’m an advocate for mass timber buildings, but I have seen more projects where timber was contemplated early in the design ultimately end up constructed out of steel and concrete due to the potential benefits of timber not be recognised. The International Mass Timber conference has refreshed my enthusiasm to change this statistic, I want to see many more smart timber projects across Aotearoa New Zealand — helping us reduce the emissions associated with our built environment.” says Lisa Oliver.

Meet Daly Peeti – Drafter and creative.

April 24, 2023June 19, 2023

ANZAC Day is happening tomorrow (in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia), and we had the pleasure of speaking with Daly Peeti, one of our Drafters who is part of the Infrastructure Team in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)—but did you know she also served in the Royal New Zealand Navy?

 

Question: So, Daly, tell us a little about yourself and your former career.

Daly: I was part of the Royal New Zealand Navy for eight years; I joined straight out of High School. During my time with the Navy, I have been a Systems Combat Specialist and an Electronic Technician (specialising in Radars). I have completed six deployments: an Ice Trip to Antarctica, a six-month tour of Southeast Asia, deployment to Canada, various shorter deployments here in Aotearoa NZ, an anti-piracy tour in the Seychelles, East Coast tour of the US, and I even went on an exchange with the Royal Navy for a year based in Portsmouth.

 

Q: That’s such an amazing list of experiences and an incredible life to lead! So, what made you decide to change careers and become a Drafter? Can you tell us a little more about that?

Daly: Sure! I was ready to settle down. Not seeing my partner for nine months out of the year (he was also in the Navy) and being away from family–I was looking for something a little closer to home. I wanted to pursue something I was really passionate about, and after trying different placements and discovering what I enjoyed most I realised I really enjoyed the papers I was doing part-time online while still in the Navy.

Q: Wow! So, you were still in the Navy full time and studying as well? That’s impressive! Was there something that inspired you to choose Drafting?

Daly: I’d done Graphic Design in High School. And after doing Unitec part-time for one and a half years I decided I wanted to do it full-time to complete my studies. So, I left the Navy to focus on finishing my studies, but I am still a Reservist with the Royal New Zealand Navy.

 

Q: Was there a particular reason you chose a Drafting career in Engineering?

Daly: Yes! Jess Baker and Mark Polglase came to do a presentation at Unitec about Holmes, and what they talked about sounded really interesting. After chatting with Jess a bit more I discovered I could do a six-month placement in the Infrastructure Team and then swap (with Sara, who has now left) to do a six month placement in the Structures team. But I’ve really liked learning everything here in the Infrastructure team, so I am quite happy to stay here for now and progress more with my skills.

Interviewer: That’s really cool that you get the opportunity to influence and shape where your career takes you!

Q: What does ANZAC Day mean to you?

Daly: It’s about honouring the people who put their lives on the line. The sacrifice they made by leaving their families.
At the RSA on ANZAC Day, it’s incredible to hear the stories from the older guys on what it was like for them, and as time goes on these opportunities to hear their stories are fewer–there isn’t many of them left. And, as a Reservist I still can help and give back too.

Q: Do you have plans for ANZAC Day tomorrow?

Daly: Yes. I’ll be taking my Nana to see the local ANZAC Day parade. Reservists are allowed to attend services in their uniform–but that’s a personal choice to do so.
It’s been so long since we have been able to hold celebrations on ANZAC Day, it’s nice to have the freedom to get together. I remember during the height of COVID lockdown I lived in a Navy house, on a street with quite a few Navy houses, and we all dressed up in our uniforms and went to our Letterboxes for ANZAC Day–it was quite moving.

Q: Thank you so much for sharing with us Daly, I really appreciate the time. It’s been incredible hearing about this amazing life you’ve already led prior to joining Holmes!

Daly: Thanks for having me!

2023 Client Choice Awards Winner!

April 5, 2023June 19, 2023

Massive thank you to all our clients for nominating us!

From over 270 firms entered in this year’s 2023 Client Choice Awards, we were honoured to be awarded the ‘Most Innovative Built & Natural Environment Consulting Firm >$30M’!

This year’s awards saw over 17,000 pieces of client feedback, which were used to adjudicate these prestigious awards – we’re truly humbled.

Thank you to our wonderful clients and collaborators for nominating us. It’s a great endorsement of our approach to problem-solving and the results we deliver our clients. It also confirms our position as a business with incredible technical horsepower, the ability to think a little more deeply, and a willingness try new things. Definitely something to celebrate!

To learn more visit here.

Rankine Browne Library shortlisted for IStructE Awards

September 16, 2022June 19, 2023

We’re excited to announce Rankine Brown Library has been shortlisted for the 2022 IStructE Awards.

Our Fire Engineering team in Aotearoa New Zealand were part of the project, led by BECA.

Judge’s comments: 

“Great pains have been taken to restore this library following earthquake damage and the efforts to justify the building through repairs and upgrade are admirable, providing enormous savings on the alternative of new construction. The design implemented improvements beyond code requirements under severe working constraints as the library remained in use throughout.

There was impressive communication of the engineer’s role in the process at a digestible level for everyone involved to understand. This communication of the complex works to building users throughout the project stands out as a good example of the importance of our profession: teamwork, communication, collaboration and responsiveness”.

The prestigious IStructE Awards celebrate engineering excellence on an international scale. Congratulations to all our project partners: 

Client: Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington

Structural Designer: Beca

Architect: Athfield Architects

Principal Contractor: LT McGuinness

Fire Engineering: Holmes NZ

Steelwork Subcontractor: MJH Engineering Limited

Building Services: Beca

Quantity Surveyor: RLB

 

First human entry to the Christ Church Cathedral!

August 25, 2022June 19, 2023

In case you missed it—last week, after more than two years of strengthening work, humans were finally given the all clear to safely enter the Ōtautahi (Christchurch) Christ Church Cathedral for the first time since Urban Search and Rescue in 2011, post earthquake!

As part of the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project team, our very own Manager of Structures South, Peter Carney, was one of two people (pictured) to enter the site.

Prior to human entry, ‘Spot’ the remote-controlled robot dog, drones, and an impressive remote-controlled digger were the only technologies to have entered the Cathedral—as part of the Reinstatement Project. So it was a true privilege and honour for Pete to be one of the first humans to enter this site!

Our team of expert structural engineers and drafters are proud to be part of the team helping deliver this important ‘Rebuild Christchurch’ project. The Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (CCRL) was established in August 2018 with the sole purpose of reinstating Christ Church Cathedral. Holmes is proud to be working alongside Keith Paterson (CRRL’s Project Director), the team at Naylor Love, Rawlinsons, Warren and Mahoney, and Heritage Professionals William Fulton and Jenny May.

[Image credit: © Tom Cuthbert \ Belmont].

Read more here: First human entry into Cathedral since 2011 (christchurchcathedral.org.nz)

 

Holmes Announces Two Sustainability Leaders

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023

We’re super excited to announce we have appointed two Sustainability Leaders to drive our commitment to sustainability forward—and embed sustainable design principles into our Practices at Holmes.

Sustainability is a hugely important topic to Holmes, and because it is so broad it requires a considered response to ensure that we can drive meaningful change. These new roles at Holmes will be focused on the areas of sustainability where our influence and contribution can have the most impact with our Clients and on our projects.

Megan Stringer (from Holmes US) and Lisa Oliver (from Holmes Australia & New Zealand) are Holmes’ first Sustainability Leaders. We’re very lucky to have two people of such great experience, quality and knowledge leading our Sustainability efforts, and we wanted to introduce and celebrate them!

Megan is an Associate Principal with Holmes and works out of our San Francisco office. Motivated by our impact on the built environment, Megan is at the forefront of reducing structural embodied carbon for Holmes US and the broader industry. She champions Holmes’ commitment to SE 2050 and has contributed to many sustainability focused projects. She has overseen mass timber construction for a range of projects, including North America’s largest (Microsoft Silicon Valley), low-carbon concrete pours at Intuit, and has completed many life-cycle assessments across a range of structures. She also speaks at conferences, writes articles, and is the current President of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California! .

Lisa is a Project Director with Holmes and works out of our Christchurch office. She is also deeply involved in the world of Sustainability, and has led the NZ Sustainable Design team for a number of years. She became a Green Star accredited professional (the first for Holmes!) more than a decade ago. Lisa has also been involved in the SESOC Sustainable Design Task Force, and has contributed to many papers, committees and conferences. Responsible and sustainable use of materials is vital, and Lisa has worked on many mass timber projects in NZ and has promoted the broad adoption of timber on Holmes projects. She was also recently on Radio NZ to talk about structural engineering and sustainability – check it out!

Megan and Lisa will be working closely with Hamish Nevile (Global Director of Design, Holmes Group) to help enhance our current commitment to sustainability and support our clients and projects achieve their own sustainability goals.

Congrats, Megan and Lisa!

Megan Stringer

Holmes US

Lisa Oliver

Holmes ANZ

#ONEHOLMES

June 30, 2022June 19, 2023

We have exciting news! From July 1, 2022, Holmes Fire and Holmes Consulting are coming together to provide the same expert services we currently offer in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia—operating as one business across both countries. We’re also working even more closely together globally, with one Holmes Executive Team leading Holmes internationally.

For our clients and partners, it means our specialist services are better connected and integrated, and Holmes is structured to deliver you even more value, quality and responsiveness. We’re also better positioned to support our clients as technology, markets and opportunities evolve.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Holmes Fire and Holmes Consulting is combining our three connected specialist Practices. “Holmes NZ” now delivers Fire, Structures, and Infrastructure engineering, while “Holmes Australia” continues to deliver premium fire engineering services to the Australian market. Holmes NZ also continues to extend its reach into the Netherlands, delivering advanced seismic assessment and structural engineering.

In the USA, Holmes offers premium engineering services across thriving Structures, Fire and Residential Practices, with strong links to Holmes in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. While our friends at Holmes Solutions continues to deliver world-leading international product development and testing from offices in Aotearoa New Zealand and the USA—with key connections into the wider Holmes Group.

As always, the team at Holmes is committed to delivering quality and value in everything we do, wherever we do it. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon.

John Hare, Hamish Nevile, Stuart Harris, Glen Mitchell, Sam Cooper, and the Holmes team in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

2022 Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards

August 15, 2022June 19, 2023

We’re proud to have been involved in 12 different award-winning projects!

Last Friday our team were honoured to attend the 2022 Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards held in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

The Property Industry Awards is the most prestigious property awards in Aotearoa New Zealand—celebrating excellence in design and innovation in the built environment for over 20 years. They showcase iconic projects in property development and investment across a broad range of sectors and design disciplines, as well as recognising outstanding projects, developments and refurbishments. The award winners are the best of the best; projects that provide an outstanding return or delivery of service potential on investment of funds, creating value for owners, tenants, and the wider community.

Holmes is a proud sponsor of the awards, regularly sponsoring the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award.

At this year’s awards we’re excited to celebrate the achievements of our project partners, where our Fire Engineer Practice team and our Structures Engineering Practice team were involved in 11 unique and well-deserving projects!

Te Pae Convention Centre Christchurch [Image credit: Lightforge].
Our team of talented engineers and drafters were part of the following category winning collaborations:

  • Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, submitted by Ōtākaro Limited (Category Winner for the Warren & Mahoney Civic, Health & Arts Property Award)
  • The Rise, Auckland, submitted by Broadway Property Group (Category Winner for the Yardi Retail Property Award)
  • Generator NZ, Wellington, submitted by Precinct Properties New Zealand (Category Winner for the Naylor Love Heritage and Adaptive Reuses Property Award)
  • Generator NZ, Wellington, submitted by Precinct Properties New Zealand (Category Winner for the RCP Commercial Office Property Award Winner)
Selwyn Sports Centre, Rolleston.

Additional awards of significance:

  • Wakefield Hospital – Stage 1, submitted by Vital Healthcare Property Trust (Excellence Award for the Warren & Mahoney Civic, Health & Arts Property Award)
  • Aotea – Te Pokapū Aotea Centre, submitted by NZ Strong Group Limited (Merit Award for the Warren & Mahoney Civic, Health & Arts Property Award)
  • 22 The Terrace, Wellington, submitted by Stride Property Group (Excellence Award for the RCP Commercial Office Property Award)
  • St Georges Road, Auckland, submitted by Kalmar Construction, Miles Construction, Ministry of Architecture + Interiors and Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (Excellence Award for the Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Community and Affordable Housing Property Award)
  • Busby Street, Auckland, submitted by Miles Construction, RM Designs and Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (Merit Award for the Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Community and Affordable Housing Property Award)
  • Generator NZ, Wellington, submitted by Precinct Properties New Zealand (Excellence Award for the Resene Green Building Property Award)
  • 22 The Terrace, Wellington, submitted by Stride Property Group (Excellence Award for the Resene Green Building Property Award)
  • 30 Madden, Auckland, submitted by Willis Bond (Excellence Award for the Templeton Group Multi-Unit Residential Property Award)
  • Kōkihi, Auckland, submitted by Marutūāhu Iwi and Ockham Residential (Merit Award for the Award for the Templeton Group Multi-Unit Residential Property Award)
  • Cordis Hotel, Auckland, submitted by Great Eagle Development (Category Winner for the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award)
  • Selwyn Sports Centre, Rolleston, submitted by Apollo Projects (Merit Award for the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award)

 

Read about all the winners here on the Property Council New Zealand’s website.

Collaboration is key for Ōtautahi (Christchurch’s) latest endeavour

August 17, 2022June 19, 2023

Holmes is proud to be a member of the Kōtui consortium working on the design and construction of Te Kaha, a new multi-use arena in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). The $683M state-of-the-art arena will be located in central Ōtautahi, Canterbury and is jointly funded by Christchurch City Council and the Crown’s Christchurch Regeneration Acceleration Fund. The arena will be able to hold over 30,000 spectators and aims to add to the city’s vibrant lifestyle while establishing Ōtautahi as a sporting and cultural centre within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

Led by BESIX Watpac, Kōtui brings together companies from Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond with expertise and experience in stadium design. The Kōtui team and other consultants working on this project include:

Architect: Populous
Subcontractor and Kōtui team member: Southbase Construction
Architect: WARREN AND MAHONEY
Land Surveying: Graham Surveying Ltd
Security Risk Assessment: Intelligent Risks
Sports Turf Consultant: SSDM Blair Cornthwaite
Engineering: Mott MacDonald
Waste Management Specialist: Eunomia Research & Consulting
Landscape Architecture / Urban Designer: LandLAB_
Geotechnical Engineering: Golder

Holmes is providing a complete range of services including Fire Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Passive Fire Protection, and Structural Fire Engineering for this iconic project. We’re eager to be working with such a diverse and experienced team who give us the opportunity to develop and build new relationships while also working with some of our established partners and contributing to the rich history in Ōtautahi.

The Design & Construct contract was recently signed by BESIX Watpac, with work on site already been commenced—as the Kōtui consortium, council, and other important stakeholders work closely together, to deliver an arena worthy of Ōtautahi (Christchurch’s) growing entertainment scene by 2026.

Commercial Bay – shortlisted for the prestigious World Architecture Festival 2022

July 14, 2022June 19, 2023

An incredible 15 Aotearoa New Zealand projects are in the line-up for this year’s World Architecture Festival!

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) represents the world’s largest live-judged architectural awards programme and amongst this year’s 420 shortlisted projects 15 come from right here in Aotearoa New Zealand!

Holmes is absolutely thrilled to see our project, Commercial Bay, has been shortlisted for the category ‘Shopping’. Our team of Structural and Fire Engineers helped deliver the architectural vision of Commercial Bay’s collaborative architectural designers: Woods Bagot, WARREN AND MAHONEY and NH Architecture. Congratulations to them on this stellar nomination and the honour of being shortlisted—it’s an incredible achievement!

You can read more here: World Architecture Festival 2022 shortlist revealed – 15 New Zealand projects are in the line-up | Architecture Now

 

Going Green: Sustainability in engineering. An interview with Lisa Oliver, Project Director

February 21, 2022June 19, 2023
‘For returning Kiwi with offshore experience in sustainability and design there has never been a better opportunity to bring those skills home and get involved in a wide variety of projects.’

Lisa Oliver, Project Director here at Holmes was recently interviewed by Kea New Zealand about her passion for mass timber design, her involvement in sustainability, and how Aotearoa New Zealand is well placed to lead the repurposing and strengthening of existing buildings.

Read her interesting insights and where structural engineering has taken her (and her family!) in the world here: Lisa’s Kea Interview

 

Assessing buildings after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

We’re the IStructE Supreme Award winners for 2021

January 26, 2022June 19, 2023

It doesn’t get more prestigious than this!

Our entry won not only our category for ‘Structural Heritage’ but also the highly coveted and exclusive Supreme Award, at the 2021 Structural Awards by The Institution of Structural Engineers.

Established in 1968, the Structural Awards are the world’s leading awards for structural engineering excellence. Winning both of these prestigious awards is an incredible achievement for everyone here at Holmes who worked on this exciting but challenging project that won–The Christchurch Town Hall. And our team of experts were not only the structural engineers but also the fire engineers for this important restoration project.

This conservation project demanded a full spectrum of technically complex structural and geotechnical solutions. Solving ground stabilisation issues and predicting the future performance of the structure and foundations were achieved through detailed analysis and intensive co-ordination between the geotechnical and structural engineers.

Complex analysis was employed to minimise the strengthening work required for the superstructure. The result preserves the original character and style of the building and protects the existing fabric – a positive both for sustainability and our client–Christchurch City Council.

The Judges commented, “This project is an excellent example of what structural engineers can bring to a devastated existing building. By understanding its behaviour and failure, the team was able to repair and preserve this important structure”.

Special thanks goes to our fantastic team of project partners as well:
Client: Christchurch City Council
Architect: WARREN AND MAHONEY
Principal Contractor: Hawkins
Commercial Manager: Rider Levett Bucknall
Geotechnical Engineer: Tonkin + Taylor
Quantity Surveyor: Rider Levett Bucknall

JUDGES’ COMMENT

Acclaimed for its architecture and acoustics, Christchurch Town Hall is a local landmark. Following devastating earthquakes in 2010 and  2011, the original building required significant structural repair and strengthening of the supporting foundations. This conservation project demanded a full spectrum of technically complex structural and geotechnical solutions. Ground stabilisation issues were solved and the future performance of the structure and foundations was predicted through detailed analysis and intensive co-ordination between the geotechnical and structural engineers. Complex analysis was employed to minimise the strengthening work required for the superstructure. The result preserves the original character and style of the building and protects the existing fabric – a positive both for sustainability and the client. This project is an excellent example of what structural engineers can bring to a devastated existing building. By understanding its behaviour and failure, the team was able to repair and preserve this important structure.

 

View the full list of 2021 IStructE Award Winners here.

Take a sneak peek of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

September 26, 2021June 19, 2023

Lockdown has put a pause on the opening of Te Pae (more than once!), but we’re just as excited to see this impressive NZ $475M convention centre completed and open to the public soon.

Te Pae, Christchurch’s new Convention and Exhibition Centre, is an ambitious project, creating a large mixed-use precinct in the heart of the city. The development has a large and varied stakeholder group, including Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Christchurch City Council, and the private sector—as well as the communities the centre will serve. Capable of hosting up to 2,000 delegates for a variety of national and international events, the state of the art centre includes a 1,400-delegate auditorium, a 3,600m² exhibition hall and 1,600m² of meeting rooms. This is a project of significant local and national importance, delivering a vital events hub that will attract domestic, national and international visitors and events.

In the challenging geotechnical conditions and seismic environment, our experience has been invaluable in designing a structure to stand the tests of time and form an important part of the city’s cultural and commercial landscape.

Client: Ōtākaro Limited
Main Contractor: CPB Contractors
Architects: Woods Bagot, WARREN AND MAHONEY
Structural Engineering: Holmes Consulting (NZ)
Geotech and Civil: Tonkin + Taylor
Services Engineers: WSP in New Zealand

Our client Ōtākaro Ltd. has released a sneak peek inside the nearly-completed building, take a look:

Commercial Bay wins Supreme Award at SESOC 2021

July 11, 2021June 19, 2023

Exciting news, Commercial Bay won the Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence 2021 at the Structural Engineering Society NZ (SESOC) Awards.

We are very proud of our team and our project partners that worked together to create a truly outstanding result. Commercial Bay isn’t just an incredible feat of engineering but an impressive mixed-use space like no other in New Zealand.

The project team included:

Client: Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited
Contractor: Fletcher Construction
Architects: WARREN AND MAHONEY (in association with Woods Bagot and NH Architecture)
Project Managers: RCP
Quantity Surveyors: RLB Pentad Quantity Surveyors
Building Services Consultant: NDYLIGHT
Geotechnical Consultant: Tonkin + Taylor
Fire Engineer: Holmes Fire

Congratulations to all the other projects and teams who won awards on the night.

Award-winning projects from Holmes: 2021 Interior Awards

July 1, 2021June 19, 2023

Holmes is excited to be part of three fantastic projects that won at the 2021 Interior Awards:

  • Te Ao Mārama, Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland War Memorial Museum – Jasmax, fjmt studio, and Designtribe
  • Commercial Bay: PwC Tower Sky Lobby and MinterEllisonRuddWatts offices – Precinct Properties and WARREN AND MAHONEY; Precinct Properties and Jasmax
  • The Hotel Britomart – Cheshire Architects Ltd

Congratulations to our project partners and all the winners at this year’s awards.

Commercial Bay, Auckland

©Samuel Hartnett and Petra Leary

Auckland Museum Grand Atrium

Top: Commercial Bay
Bottom: The Hotel Britomart

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Who runs the (engineering) world

June 23, 2021June 19, 2023

A Holmes Fire Engineer is a challenger to the expected, motivated to find the best solution for all, and is curious in the face of a new problem. 

Making up nearly 15% of our current team, the women at Holmes have played an important role in our success across Australia, New Zealand and the US. From graduate roles to branch managers, Holmes firmly believes in giving women the tools and support they need to reach their professional goals. As the industry continues to expand and engineering becomes a more common career choice for women, we believe that we have been extremely fortunate to find the right engineers for our team so far but also look forward to discovering talented female fire engineers to join us.

This International Women in Engineering Day #INWED2021, we’ve chosen to shine the spotlight on a few of the women engineers in our Leadership team. In each of their roles and as engineers, they’ve brought their own talents, skills and drive to the table to support Holmes and the wider team as mentors, educators, problem-solvers and luminaries.

Click on their images below to find out a little more about each of these inspiring women.

Sarnia Rusbridge

Project Director

Sydney AU

Kathryn Devine

Business Manager | Project Director

Auckland NZ

Keryn Goble

Project Director

Auckland NZ

Alyson Blair, Senior Fire Engineer Downtown

Alyson Blair

Senior Fire Engineer

San Francisco US

10 years on, take a peek inside the Christ Church Cathedral

December 3, 2020June 19, 2023

At this stage it isn’t safe for anyone to go inside the Christ Church Cathedral due to the risk of falling materials, debris, and the potential for it to collapse. This drone footage, captured by engineers, has been invaluable for architects, heritage professionals, engineers, and contractors to view the interior and assess the damage without the need to endanger lives.

The current condition inside the cathedral is clearly shown in the drone footage (captured by Beca) and gives us an indication of where the structural damage is more severe. It allows us and our project partners to better determine and understand the Cathedral, and to help direct this important reinstatement project!

Watch the full video below, narrated by Heritage Professional and expert Jenny May.

Watch the guided virtual tour now!

 

The Aotearoa New Zealand Interior Awards for 2020

October 22, 2020September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on The Aotearoa New Zealand Interior Awards for 2020

Following its successful opening to the public earlier this year, the design team and stakeholders of Commercial Bay celebrated another win as New Zealand’s Interior Awards 2020 winner. The prominent project was honoured for its “dynamic and expressive interior” taking home the Civic Award and the Supreme Award.

This project required a significant commitment from our team to pursue excellence for one of Auckland’s largest projects for 2020 as well as extensive hours spent on analysis, modelling and project meetings. Our Auckland team has been enjoying the well-deserved recognition and popularity that Commercial Bay has been experiencing since it opened, within the industry and with the public –  as well as personally enjoying some of the retail and dining options available!

View the design team’s winning presentation through at ArchitectureNow.

Wellington Architecture Awards – shortlist announced

April 30, 2020September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Wellington Architecture Awards – shortlist announced

The Wellington branch of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) recently released the list of finalist project for the Wellington Architecture Awards 2020. Holmes is delighted to announce that from the 43 projects chosen for the shortlist, our Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) team has delivered Fire Engineering and Fire Protection services for 10 projects! With the elevated level of architecture and design currently in the market, it is a source of pride that these projects have been chosen and a credit to our Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) team for delivering the high level of fire and life safety required in conjunction with the project teams involved. 

Antipodes Skincare Heritage Refurbishment by Architecture Workshop

Category: Commercial Architecture and Heritage
Service: Fire Engineering + Fire Protection

Bowen State Building by Warren and Mahoney Architect

Category: Commercial Architecture
Service: Fire Engineering

FNZ Office Fit-out by Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects (Wellington studio)

Category: Interior Architecture
Service: Fire Engineering

Forsyth Barr Workplace by Warren and Mahoney Architects

Category: Interior Architecture
Service: Fire Engineering

Harbour City Centre Annexe by Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects (Wellington studio)

Category: Heritage
Service: Fire Engineering

Housing NZ, Hanson St by Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects (Wellington studio)

Category: Housing Multi-unit
Service: Fire Engineering + Fire Protection

Mahara Place Redevelopment by Athfield Architects and Boffa Miskel

Category: Planning & Urban Design
Service: Fire Engineering

Maru at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington by Athfield Architects

Category: Education and Interior Architecture
Service: Fire Engineering

Site 10 by Athfield Architects

Category: Commercial Architecture
Service: Fire Engineering

Waitohi–Johnsonville Library and Community Hub by Athfield Architects

Category: Interior Architecture and Public Architecture
Service: Fire Engineering + Fire Protection

Congratulations to everyone involved in these projects, we look forward to seeing the results later this year.

Visit ArchitectureNow to view the full list of finalists for 2020.

Celebrating diversity at Holmes

March 2, 2020September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Celebrating diversity at Holmes

We know diversity and inclusion is a significant opportunity to build stronger, more creative, more resilient teams at Holmes. Each member’s personal journey, vibrant personalities and aspirations offer unique perspectives to complex problems and contribute to the culture we’re so proud of.

This past week, we joined our colleagues in Sydney celebrating Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and those in Aotearoa New Zealand celebrating Pride Month. Holmes is committed to ensuring our people are comfortable and feel respected in their environment—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

To provide an opportunity to grow and prioritise diversity at Holmes, Together@Holmes (TAHi) was born. TAHi has been formed with a group of people around the business who are passionate about Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) at Holmes.

Our long-term vision at Holmes is to be more representative of the communities we serve— and the places we live and work.

At Holmes, we encourage our team to dream big and therefore, empower them to achieve their goals;

  • In an environment where you can relax and be yourself.
  • Where we recognise and value diversity of thought and approach.
  • With equal support and equal opportunity to grow and develop.

Celebrating 30 years with Martin Feeney!

December 9, 2018September 19, 2022 Leave a Comment on Celebrating 30 years with Martin Feeney!

Our Holmes team in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of their Principal, Martin Feeney at Holmes Group with a morning tea. As one of the founders of Holmes Fire, Martin has had a pivotal role in shaping the company and its success as well as within the fire engineering industry.

Martin started as a structural engineer in May 1986 when Holmes Consulting (the name our Structures and Infrastructures Practices used to be called) was Holmes Wood Poole and Johnson and after a brief stint at Hera, he joined the newly formed ‘Holmes Fire’ team (the name our Fire Practice was called) in 1996. It is fair to say Martin’s contribution, not only to Holmes Fire, but the fire engineering community, in general, is unsurpassed. He has been a leader in all aspects of fire engineering, and a huge part of the success of Holmes.

Congratulations on this amazing achievement Martin!

SESOC Awards: Holmes Involved in Three Award-Winning Projects

SESOC Awards: Holmes Involved in Three Award-Winning Projects

June 28, 2023June 28, 2023

A night of celebrations for our Holmes people and projects at the SESOC Awards!

Last week our team attended the Structural Engineering Society (SESOC) Conference in New Zealand—we’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our people and project partners.

First, Hamish McKenzie was awarded SESSOC Life Membership—well-deserved recognition for many years of service and representing Holmes on committees and other SESOC groups, including a term as President in recent years.

We also had an amazing night at the awards ceremony, where Holmes got more Ithan our share of the silverware. We entered three projects, and all of them got a medal! The three award-winning projects are listed below:

  • Observatory Hotel at the Arts Centre (won a commendation)
  • Te Pae Building (received best in category)
  • Christ Church Cathedral Stabilisation (received best in category)

These achievements were incredible recognition for some truly world class seismic engineering.

Observatory Hotel at the Arts Centre

Te Pae Building

Christ Church Cathedral Stabilisation

Congratulations to all the project teams involved and all the winners on the night.

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards announced for Te Whanganui-a-Tara projects

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards announced for Te Whanganui-a-Tara projects

May 7, 2018September 19, 2022

On Thursday May 3rd, 2018, the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) held their 2018 Wellington Architecture Awards.

There were 11 non-residential projects, which include a fire engineering component, and we are pleased to be involved on the consultancy team for seven out of the 11 projects honoured. Listed below are these seven award winning projects;

22 Boulcott Street
Commercial Architecture Award

Image Credit: Andy Spain

Arise Centre
Commercial Architecture Award

Photo Courtesy of NZIA

He Tohu Document Room
Public Architecture Award

Image Credit: Andy Spain

Our Lady of Kapiti School
Education Award

Image Credit: Andy Spain

Te Toki a Rata Building, Victoria University of Wellington
Education Award

Image Credit: Paul McCredie

Transpower
Interior Architecture Award

Image Credit: Jason Mann

Victoria Business School, Rutherford House Redevelopment
Education Award

Image Credit: Jason Mann

Congratulations to all the project teams involved in all the winning designs.

For Awards and the list of categories, see the full article here.

It’s been a decade! Richard Green—10 years at Holmes.

It’s been a decade! Richard Green—10 years at Holmes.

April 11, 2018March 6, 2023

Richard is a Fire Engineer based in our Sydney office and is a very valued member of the team. After dedicating ten years of his working life to Holmes Fire, we asked him some questions to get an insight into the culture at Holmes Fire and how Fire Engineering has developed for him over this time.

Why Holmes Fire?

The best thing about Holmes is definitely its people and its culture. When I met Glen, Holmes Fire Australia’s CEO, back in Christmas of 2007, I felt straight away that Holmes Fire was the kind of place that I’d like to work. It was soon after, I met some of the staff, many of whom are also still here today only confirming that this was a team I would work well with and ultimately learn a lot from and time has proved that!

 

What is your greatest achievement at Holmes Fire?

From a project perspective, It would definitely have to be finishing V by Crown in Parramatta, which will be completed construction in the next couple of months.

Personally however, managing to keep a work life balance is also a great achievement for me, considering when I started at Holmes I had a very different life, sans kids! But maybe ask me that again when I have to start doing the school drop offs and I may have a different response!

 

What have you seen change at Holmes over the last 10 years?

Pleasingly, not much. Holmes has kept a consistency in how they practice and their culture. Apart from the increase in staff numbers as the company has grown, noting it has now doubled in numbers, it is still the same place I started at 10 years ago.

 

What makes Holmes a great place to work?

That one is easy! The people.

 

Reflecting on your work, do you have any key projects that have been important and particularly influential for you, since you have been at Holmes?

As mentioned prior, V by Crown as it had a bit of everything from a Fire Engineering perspective, so I definitely learnt a lot.

Top Ryde City Living would also be up there. As one of my first major projects with Holmes Fire, this will always be memorable, and as a bonus the team on the project were great, always making a project more rewarding to be a part of. Despite some late stage hurdles, it was a great project to complete.

 

What have been the biggest changes you have seen in the industry?

The housing boom in Sydney which has affected the growth of high density living, this is seen through the increased level of high-rise residential projects we have worked on over recent years.

A great positive change for me would be the culture shift of Fire Engineers within a project team, being recognised as a value add for a project rather than a necessary evil. The shift of including Fire Engineers within the early developments of a building is growing and we are noticing the positive role this has on the overall management of a project’s fire safety strategy through both the design and construction.

Finally, social media has created a wider conversation and platform to share ideas and innovation within the engineering environment as a whole. This, for us is shrinking the gap between disciplines and improving innovation within design, engineering and construction as a whole.

 

On behalf of Holmes Fire and the wider Holmes Group, we would like to thank Richard for his contribution over the years, not only to his projects but to our company. Congratulations on this great achievement!

Holmes is heading to Antarctica!

Holmes is heading to Antarctica!

March 13, 2018September 19, 2022

Holmes is pleased to be the appointed Fire Engineer for the redevelopment of Antarctica New Zealand’s Scott Base. Mike Inwood and Reuben Costello from our Holmes, Fire Practice team, are the primary team for the project.

Holmes will be working within the building services team, led by Steensen Varming.
The wider consultant team include:

Architecture: Jasmax–Hugh Broughton Architects

Quantity Surveying: Turner and Townsend

Structural/Civil Engineering: WSP Opus

Building Services: Steensen Varming

The existing Scott Base facility is reaching the end of its functional life. The redevelopment of Scott Base will allow scientists from across the globe to continue researching some of the most important science of this generation. The outcome will be a facility fit for purpose to support our world-leading scientists in one of the most isolated places on Earth for the next 50 years.

The design of a building in Antarctica presents specific challenges due to the remote location and unique climate. The design and implementation of fire safety at the base needs to consider life safety in the immediate period during the fire event, long term operation of the base post fire, and asset protection/robustness.

Given the location and harsh environmental conditions in Antarctica, certain bespoke fire safety solutions, developed from first principles, will be required to ensure that the designs either meet, or indeed surpass, NZ fire safety design and best practice.

The team at Holmes is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

For further information:

http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/whats-new/new-zealands-coolest-redevelopment/

Photo Credit: Photo from ANZ attributed to Fiona Shanhun.

A Decade of Transformative Architecture: 2008-2017

A Decade of Transformative Architecture: 2008-2017

December 12, 2017March 6, 2023

Architecture New Zealand has invited the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) editorial board to nominate and vote and what they consider to be the most ‘transformative’ projects in New Zealand this decade. The results are a display of some impressive architecture worthy of celebration. Have your say and vote for your favourite too!

More than 50 projects were nominated, and the NZIA has shortlisted this to 11 top voted projects. Out of these, Holmes Fire has proudly been the project Fire Engineer for 6 of the top 11 projects!

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
2011
Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds


Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds

Len Lye Centre (Art Gallery)
2013
Image Credit: Davor Popadich


Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds

Bishop Selwyn Chapel
2016

Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds


Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds


Transitional (Cardboard) Cathedral
2013

Image Credit: Dennis Radermacher

Image Credit: Dennis Radermacher

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre
2010
Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds


Image Credit: Patrick Reynolds


Britomart Precinct 
2012
Image Credit: Jeremy Toth

Image Credit: Jeremy Toth

In no particular order, these projects have been voted most transformative architecture for New Zealand this decade, displaying a wide array of design styles, advocating advanced design innovation ranging from engineering, material type and overall architectural excellence.

Want to see more? See what other projects we at Holmes Fire have been busy working on around not only New Zealand, but Australia and the US!

Consortium for Auckland Airport Redevelopment Announced

May 24, 2017March 29, 2023

Legend has it that our predecessors at Holmes Consulting in Aotearoa New Zealand once owned a Cessna, which was used to get around our NZ offices back in the day. Those times are over, but we still love aviation and infrastructure—that’s why we’re so excited to be part of the consortium selected to deliver the new Auckland Airport development.

The scope of the project includes a new integrated domestic terminal, as well as significant expansion of border processing and the integration of extensive new transport and car parking facilities. The construction works will occur over the next decade.

We are Looking forward to working with Mott MacDonald, Grimshaw, and Architectus to deliver this major infrastructure redevelopment for Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

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