A Seismic Shift in Programme Planning, Management and Delivery
Construction Solutions from Dominion Constructors
Dominion Constructors has more than 400 employees spread across its main sites in Auckland and Christchurch and proudly holds numerous construction awards from the Registered Master Builders Association.
The build types Dominion Constructors delivers are diverse, ranging from streetscapes and rail facilities, prisons and warehouses, to luxury high-end apartments and hotels. Their teams perform across the entire building process, from project design and project management through to onsite execution.
Seismic Upgrade and Fitout
Beginning in May 2022, Wellington’s Rydges Hotel underwent a $20 million seismic upgrade and fitout, with Russell Property Group as Design/Project Managers and Dominion Constructors as Main Contractors.
The entire seismic upgrade and fit out was a fixed contract covering 19 levels including common areas from levels 1-3 and 280 residential rooms, along with exterior design work. Multiple work faces were open due to work being undertaken inside rooms to strengthen precast joints, as well as seismic movement joints up the entire building and strengthening of the canopy and lift shafts.
Construction and Programme Management Challenges
One word for Morden?
“Outstanding.”
Challenges of the project included not only the technical complexity of basically “mining” under the shear walls of a multi-story hotel and installing additional foundation structures, but also time constraints. The hotel was closed but opening day was booked and so were the rooms and conference areas.
Of the 1800 individual brackets to be installed, details to 80% of these changed to meet existing conditions on site. On top of this, results of responses to RFIs meant the design being sent through for the exterior works was also evolving.
Regular changes to a large proportion of main structural elements increased pressure for the team to deliver the project on schedule.
Garrick Cocker, Dominion Constructor’s Senior Project Manager, is no stranger to construction projects. With 32 years’ experience behind him, running $80-$100 million projects, he recognised early on this project was not going according to plan.
Dominion Constructors Reaches Out to Morden
The construction programme needed upgrading to accurately reflect progress of the works at hand and efficiently track the changes experienced on the project. Dominion reached out to Dave Morris at Morden.
Sharing the same values: being down to earth and good to deal with, Dominion Constructors and Morden were the perfect match. As design changes came through (due to RFI’s) and the specifications for the brackets changed – up to four times in some cases – Dave’s dedication to tracking, programming and planning was invaluable. Dave prepared and maintained construction programmes and produced a completion programme, while tracking and reporting the programme and advising on the sequence of work. He tracked the impact of changes to the contract and assisted with ensuring the team had the resources required to achieve the activities involved in this programme of works.
Phil Hebden’s expertise was also called on to analyse and prepare what was a complicated extension of time claim on Dominion Constructor’s behalf.
What Our Client Had to Say
Garrick gave an overview, “This project was as stressful as any large scale project. We were under significant pressure and the Morden team were extremely skilful at breaking down what was a very complex situation into modules that became understandable by all stakeholders, which made it easier for everyone.” He added, “They provided excellent support, they’re great programmers and they understand contracts extremely well.”
In Morden’s words, “We took their programme and reviewed it, making amendments and suggestions to streamline the operation. The team was under an immense amount of pressure and stress to complete this project on time. They were absolutely determined and we were glad we could be part of the team to help them get there.”
Last Words from Dominion Constructors
Summing up Morden, Garrick offered, “They are experts in their trade. I’m a programmer myself. I know what I’m dealing with and I can honestly say they are extremely skilful and understanding with tracking changes and maintaining fair and reasonable outcomes. Oftentimes when you get in the middle of a stream that stream is running pretty quickly and demands come on and a lot of PM types get into ‘you’re supposed to do this, or that’ and the situation can become reactionary and planning can take a back seat, as you deal with a very elusive design target. Morden provided excellent support in programming and identifying locations of focus from a programming view. The external resource added a refreshing view and added a clear perspective. Dave and Phil provided excellent support. They know their business and I’ve got nothing but time for them. One word for Morden? Outstanding.”