NZi3 is a state-of-the-art building that houses the National ICT Innovation Institute, a "hothouse" of strategic information and communications technology (ICT) research that aims to develop ideas from the "lab" and transform them into real world industry applications by bringing together businesses with leading innovators to conduct industry-relevant research in order to develop the next generation of ICT products.

Situated on the corner of Engineering Road and Creyke Road on the University of Canterbury campus, the 70m-long, 16m-wide building measures 2,400m2 over two levels, with the upper level directly connecting to the adjacent engineering faculty. The architecturally striking double-level building consists of two structural steel trusses spanning 72 metres with an 8-metre cantilever at either end supported by four main concrete walls.

Designed around a 600mm construction module to maximise the construction efficiency (and to minimise material wastage) there are no structural elements intruding on the floor area, providing the university with flexibility for future use. The building provides a large open plan area on level two with offices and open display areas on the ground floor.

Where possible, prefabricated components were selected in preference to on-site fabrication to reduce construction time, improve quality control and reduce material wastage. Structural steel trusses were manufactured and transported in 18-metre lengths and site welded together. Attention to detail in construction was paramount, as the accuracy of the bolts on the trusses had to be +/- 2mm at either end.

The building was also designed for a high level of energy efficiency and includes a vast range of technologies and leading edge materials. The institute was the pilot project to employ the New Zealand Green Star Education Tool gaining "Five Stars" for the design. Features such as rainwater collection, solar power and automatic windows to control temperature and CO2 levels are some of the green technologies incorporated in the building. Of particular interest was the use of phase change material (PCM) to help regulate the internal temperature.

The material is a lightweight plasterboard containing encapsulated microscopic particles of phase change material that absorbs and releases energy to help stabilise internal temperatures within the space. 15mm PCM board provides a thermal storage capacity comparable to that of 90mm thick concrete. Used for the first time in New Zealand, it is truly innovative material and helped remove the need for a chilled water cooling system to the upper floor, thereby reducing energy consumption and the necessary maintenance.

Hawkins was closely involved with the Green Star programme, which covered all aspects of the building's construction from materials selection to waste minimisation and recycling. A strict waste management policy was enforced on site with 73% of construction waste being re-used or recycled, reducing landfill costs and environmental impacts.

Noise and vibration management was critical during the piling phase to minimise disturbance to sensitive equipment in the adjacent College of Engineering. The building has also been constructed on rib-raft pods for insulation, not common for buildings with such a large floor plate and structure.

The site itself also presented a significant challenge for this type of structure with sandy gravels with a shallow silt layer compounded by a high water table approximately 1 metre below the ground surface. Consequently, the foundations of the building are on 900mm diameter bored piles located under main structural elements, such as the in situ reinforced concrete shear wall and precast tilt-up panels.

With such a high water table and a storm water system that discharges into a protected waterway, all dewatering and site run off had to be managed with extreme care. The use of an extensive silt filtration system required careful management by Hawkins.

Other challenges included complex formwork and skilled concrete placing for the four structural walls’ angled and faceted shaping. There was also a myriad of cabling and services run under a raised floor system, including automatic blinds, high tech mechanical services, innovative lighting systems and extensive data cabling and communications.