NZ Customhouse
By winning the contract to project manage the fit out of the customhouse, a six level building at Wellington's CentrePort, it was our third opportunity to work with the NZ Customs Service.
Having undertaken fit out and refurbishments over the years for the NZ Customs Service at their Whitmore Street head office premises, it was time to help them make the transition to a purpose-built building that would provide an efficient and attractive home to suit their long term business needs.
Good collaboration laid the platform for a fit out project that was fully integrated with the base build. Appointed as Project Managers for the fit out, The Building Intelligence Group was involved in the procurement of the fit out designer, fit out contractors and furniture contractors and we also managed the relocation process. The fit out was integrated with the base build and this paved the way for a well managed process that saw the building's services built and installed to suit the fit out. Two weeks were sliced off the completion date, allowing the NZ Customs Service to move in early and this was of significant value to our client who had the pressure of incoming tenants taking up the remaining lease on their existing premises.
The new Customhouse building was delivered ahead of time and under budget. After 40 years of working in a building with declining services, limited functionality, small floor plates and poor natural light, the NZ Custom Service's new environment is a pleasing contrast. It makes the most of its unusual triangular island site to gain excellent natural light to all sides and is largely open plan. Known as The Customhouse, the building is a 5 Green Star base build. Perimeter columns provide large open plan working spaces to foster strong staff collaboration. Full building automation means staff have very little to do in terms of managing their environment. Sensor lighting, good thermal comfort from recessed ceiling mounted chilled beams, and centralised catered kitchen facilities are all good ingredients in making the areas light, interactive and welcoming. The large floors are modern and flexible with technology capabilities for efficient and flexible workspaces. Over 270 NZ Customs Service staff are now enjoying the advantages of working in an open collaborative environment.
NZ Customs Service CFO John Kyne comments "It was an extremely well run project which finished ahead of time and under budget. The Building Intelligence Group added demonstrable value. Their budget and cost control skills and their proactive attitude ensured that the flow of work was well managed. We had excellent communication at all times and early, informed and decisive action when issues arose. The team contributed to the development of a quality working environment that will help us do business more efficiently and will provide a good long term home for the NZ Customs Service."
The NZ Customs Service has a new efficient long term-home. We're pleased to have taken our partnership full circle with them.