Case Study: Holcim's Integral Role in Transforming Taranaki Base Hospital
In collaboration with Leighs Construction, Holcim New Zealand has played a pivotal role in reshaping the skyline of Ngāmotu New Plymouth through its supply of more than 10,000 cubic metres of ready-mix concrete to the Taranaki Base Hospital.
Commencing in August 2021, this government-led NZD 403 million rebuild is on track for completion in the first quarter of next year. The project's scope included supplying concrete for critical areas like the emergency department (ED), intensive care unit (ICU), maternity, primary birthing, neonatal, radiology, laboratory, and a rooftop helipad.
Taranaki Base Hospital’s new East Wing will house the acute clinical and critical care services, including the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.
Jock Smith, Sales Manager at Holcim New Zealand, highlights the company’s commitment to overcoming the construction challenges, stating, “Our focus was on delivering technically demanding concrete mixes tailored to the project's diverse needs.
“The efficient supply of concrete, coupled with open communication and dedicated service, played a crucial role in ensuring the project's adherence to budget and schedule.”
Showcasing forward-thinking design and innovation, the hospital’s rebuild incorporated an array of special features such as removable windows to facilitate the future replacement of large medical equipment like CT and MRI machines, roofs built to hold large volcanic ash loads, in the event of Taranaki Maunga erupting, and an architecturally designed ground-floor.
Leighs Construction Project Manager, Nathan Hawkins, explained the challenges in achieving an architectural finish for the ground floor, describing the finished product as the “Rolls Royce of concrete floors.”
“Key milestones include the imminent removal of the iconic 50-metre-high hammerhead power crane, Lofty, symbolising the project’s progress. Holcim’s contribution was instrumental, especially in achieving the architectural finish for the ground floor, a crucial milestone for us,” said Mr Hawkins.
Banner image: Photo by Elliot Martin on Unsplash.
