ENGCO were engaged to provide civil and structural engineering services for the new church and community centre in Richmond.
Whakatū Presbyterian Church was shortlisted for the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Nelson & Marlborough Architecture Awards in 2025.
Structural elements of the building included exposed mass timber and prefab roof cassette construction (lifted into place with both a double crane lift and a single crane lift).
The civil engineering incorporated low-impact design with green stormwater infrastructure using a rain garden and boardwalk over the garden to maximise the use of the space.
Despite the impact of COVID-19 on material supply, the project was successfully delivered on time and on budget, providing a valuable asset to the church and the local community.
Collaborating with the Community Board provided valuable opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives and foster a sense of shared ownership over the project. While the process sometimes involved longer timelines due to the need to coordinate input from consultants, it underscored the importance of clear communication and proactive planning to ensure timely decision-making and effective administration.
Our Nelson team worked closely with our Christchurch team to thoroughly evaluate all engineering aspects. This united effort ensured that every detail was careful considered, prioritising solutions that aligned seamlessly with top NZ architect Irving Smith’s vision and the client’s goals, to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Scott Construction won silver for the project at the 2024 Master Builders Association New Zealand Commercial Project Awards.
Project Lead_
Julian Addington
Architects_
Irving Smith Architects