Project

St John NZ required a purpose-built operational hub to support the wider Aoraki district. Their previous Timaru building was adapted for use, while this new building was designed and constructed meeting importance level 4 of New Zealand’s building code, relating to seismic structural capability of post-disaster recovery essential buildings. 20,000-litre water storage and backup generator ensure services can continue immediately post-disaster. The building has an ambulance bay along the eastern side, sleeping quarters, administration offices, and facilities for public first aid training.

Twin gables and Timaru bluestone ensure the building complements the surrounding residential area, while the sites previous Seven Oaks character was considered retaining the properties two oak trees. Colorsteel iron and traditional carpentry materials finish the build, while the ambulance bay has an insulated roof system, meaning the whole building is very well insulated. Subtle touches were added to ensure staff had an environment where they could decompress, feel secure, and enjoy the area without feeling clinical, which includes the north facing staff lounge and sheltered outdoor area.

A narrow site, with residential properties both sides, required effective planning from the start. From starting site clearance to final hand over, this project was completed in under twelve months, thanks to Thompson designed and manufactured pre-cast tilt panels, and an efficient project governance team who sought the right information to reduce potential problems, only minor changes were required during the project.

The finished product resulted from a great collaborative effort between Thompson, St John NZ, and the St John Financial Control Board Timaru Trust, who funded the project. This Timaru Trust wanted the project kept as local as possible (Thompson already had a strong relationship with St John New Zealand after completing previous work) and Thompson provided this by only using local sub-contractors. By utilising their own teams, Thompson controls quality to ensure every project is finished to a level that satisfies their clients and their own expectations.

St John New Zealand wanted a benchmark building, to attract and retain the right people and show what they can provide. Darryn Grigsby, South Canterbury St John territorial manager, felt this new building was an upgrade in both functionality and comfort, while the St John Trust were ‘blown away’ at the value delivered. Thompson are proud of their work, with the quality they deliver provided by their people working together, which is evident in the finished quality of projects like St John’s new Timaru site.