Hawkins has achieved practical completion on the Novotel Auckland Airport Hotel - a joint venture between Accor Hospitality, Tainui Group Holdings and Auckland International Airport.

The new 4-star hotel has been built within the existing airport car park space at the front of the main international terminal. The 12-level building accommodates 263 rooms, a gymnasium, a 150-seat restaurant and bar, 11 meeting rooms, a conference/function room for 300 people and an airline crew lounge. A stunning10m high living wall has been installed in the ground floor reception area.

Hawkins was awarded the contract for the construction of the new hotel on a lump sum tender basis and work started on 1 December 2009.

The building's appearance is striking, with large CHS columns that rise from the ground up to level 3. The structure comprises a steel frame and Comflor metal decking permanent formwork with a concrete topping over to form the mid floors. The in situ concrete core is constructed using a large PERI formwork system. The facade consists of precast concrete panels, columns and curtain wall glazing. Decorative GRC (glass-fibre reinforced concrete) panels adorn the diagonal CHS columns from the ground to level 3 and the north and south elevations.

During the tender process, Hawkins put forward a refined design that featured programme benefits. The alternative design was favoured and, in turn, adopted by the design team.

Undertaking a project of this size in the close proximity of an operating busy international airport was challenging. Close regular co-ordination with the airport operations staff and Hawkins’ extensive experience in working at Auckland International Airport was valuable.

With the extremely tight timeframe and fast-track nature of the programme, thorough planning and preparation were required. By applying a great team approach, Hawkins has managed to consistently keep the construction on programme.

Hawkins Open Spaces team was contracted to complete all siteworks associated with the new hotel, including excavation and drainage works within existing carpark, construction of kerbs and channels, honed concrete walls, basalt paving, exposed aggregate concrete, asphalt and linemarking, architectural light fittings, carpark barrier arms (design and installation) and extensive areas of soft landscaping.

Hawkins worked closely with the client and architects (Warren & Mahoney) to value engineer the soft landscape concepts prior to installation, using our horticultural knowledge and experience to coordinate a solution which met both budget and aesthetic requirements. Existing mature Pohutakawas were relocated into the site from around the airport, requiring road closures at night and carefully programming.

 The size and location of the site posed multiple challenges including working around existing services (many unmarked), in a heavily trafficked area – the airport operates 24hours a day and the logistics of working around multiple subcontractors requiring access to the site, storage of materials – within the siteworks area. Open Spaces maintained a responsive and collaborative approach to the many challenges of this project – ultimately delivering a high quality open space, at the gateway to Auckland.