GHD shines at New Zealand consulting engineering awards

6 September 2016

GHD shines at New Zealand consulting engineering awards

One of the world’s leading engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services companies, GHD, has been acknowledged as a leader in shaping New Zealand’s built environment.

The company received three prestigious Innovate Awards of Excellence from the Association of Consulting Engineers New Zealand (ACENZ) at a black tie gala in Auckland.

The judges recognised the company for engineering design and project management roles on the Lightpath cycleway in Auckland, the Angus Tait Building at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, and the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team.

Te Ara I Whiti – Lightpath cycleway

Engaged by the NZ Transport Agency, GHD together with Novare Design, Hawkins Infrastructure and Monk Mackenzie (project architects) were presented with a Silver Award for this iconic addition to Auckland’s infrastructure, which is now globally renowned for its magenta surface, Maori artwork and interactive LED lights.

In just 14 months from concept to completion, the Lightpath project converted the disused Nelson Street Offramp into a vital 1 km link for cyclists and pedestrians around the Auckland CBD.

The project also includes a 160 m steel bridge that snakes over New Zealand’s busiest highway junction. It was constructed entirely off site and lifted into place during overnight closures.

Angus Tait building

As project manager, GHD was recognised with a Merit Award for its key role in a first-of-its-kind project for New Zealand – refurbishment of an operational data centre at the University of Canterbury without disrupting the university’s campus-wide IT services.

The 1970s data centre was completely rebuilt internally and refurbished with best practice communications technology, sustainable heating and cooling systems, and resilient data and power services, including the migration of thousands of communications lines to the latest technology.

The refurbishment included the incorporation of safety, design and operational risk mitigation measures to enable the physical refurbishment, seismic strengthening and digital transformation of this iconic campus building.

Rebuilding Christchurch

GHD was honoured alongside seven other consultants who worked together as a unique brains trust for the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT) Alliance. The group were presented with an ACENZ Special Award, acknowledging the consulting industry’s collaboration in the rebuild of Christchurch’s public infrastructure.

The consultants developed a collaborative ‘best for Christchurch’ approach to help SCIRT rebuild essential infrastructure after the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. GHD was one of SCIRT’s four lead design organisations delivering a five-year programme of works.

Ian Fraser, GHD’s Manager – New Zealand, says, “We are honoured to receive these prestigious awards from our consulting industry peers. The Innovate Awards demonstrate our passion for doing things differently and bringing imaginative thinking to our clients’ challenges.”

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