Edgecumbe College food technology block

Our Waikato/BoP team refurbished the food technology block at Edgecumbe College and prepared the way for a planned wider upgrade by demolishing the administration and hall.

After enduring a major earthquake, flood and minimal maintenance over its 60-year life, the food technology block was showing its age. We found much more decay in the native timber than expected when we started work, turning a minor refurbishment into the complete replacement of all joists, bottom plates and walls and extensive propping of the existing roof sarking and trusses. With the school located on a fault line and a flood plain, we tested the ground conditions thoroughly and upgraded the foundations.

The demolition scope involved the removal of Class A and B asbestos. Our team developed a methodology to safely remove the Class B asbestos during the school year and conduct the Class A removal only in the school holidays, building a good relationship with the Ministry of Education as we agreed the plan.

We prioritised sustainability during the project, achieving three months in a row of 99% diversion of waste away from landfill using our sorting system.

We enjoyed working with the school, taking students and teachers on tours of the works in progress. It was great to get their positive feedback about the new facility, which includes a full commercial kitchen and teaching spaces.