At the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards 2022, the four-level extension to the Novotel Tainui Hamilton Hotel has received a Gold Award.
The extension, which showcases a cultural design on the front exterior, was finished in 2020, adding 40 rooms to the four-star hotel.
Led by Waikato-Tainui Head of Carving, Renata Te Wiata, and Taroi Rawiri, its distinctive exterior design tells the story of the annual migration of tuna within the Waikato River. Meanwhile, the interior features colour, materials, texture and art that reflect the Māori community’s relationship with its ancestral river.
According to Tainui Group Holdings Chief Executive Chris Joblin, the design of the new extension acknowledged the hotel’s owner, Waikato-Tainui, and a promise by TGH to emphasise cultural design as a core feature of its buildings. Another example is the new ACC building currently under development on Tristram St in Hamilton.
Rob Kemp of Form Building and Developments, who led the construction and received the award, shared that the project faced several challenges. This included seamlessly integrating the extension with the existing structure, health and safety restraints, installing precast concrete beams over 10 metres long and weighing more than 18 tonnes, and carving the design into four-storey high concrete walls.
“We were excited to be part of the team that delivered the extension project and believe that this award is something the whole project team deserves and should be proud of,” said Kemp.
The accolade recognised the collaborative process for all the parties to design and build something that echoes the hotel, its team and the environment, added Phillip Hilton, General Manager for Novotel Tainui Hamilton Hotel.
“Every room and space is unique to this hotel with a design distinctive to the people of Waikato; our local iwi and community. Every element of this extension merges seamlessly with the original hotel building and is a stunning addition to the Hamilton skyline. We couldn’t be more proud,” said Hilton.
In 2021, the hotel’s conference centre was revamped with a contemporary and cultural design.
Form Building and Developments submitted the entry into the Tourism and Leisure Project category of the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards 2022, which Ravenscar House won, the eventual Supreme Award winner. Gold Awards are presented to entrants that achieve 90 percent of the judging points available.
