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Waimarie Lincoln University

Waimarie, Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki is Lincoln University’s state of the art science centre. Waimarie is set within a biodiverse, park-like environment, and the building, surroundings and operation of the structure is strongly focused on sustainability.

This is a brand new, purpose-built science facility with state-of-the-art teaching environments, research and collaboration spaces, complemented by a variety of multi-purpose work zones.

The functional purpose of the building is to provide a space for students, staff, postgraduate researchers and industry partners to gather, learn, research and create together. The environment is designed for brilliant minds to harness the creativity and innovation we’ll need to face the challenges of the future: food security, waste, managing natural resources to name a few.

The facility was designed by Warren and Mahoney and built by Leigh’s Construction, the name Waimarie celebrates kā puna Waimarie – the bountiful lakes. Inspiring this building to act as a space that will promote great leadership, foster productivity, and facilitate the sharing of intergenerational knowledge.

The success of the partnership is evident in the outcomes of the delivered project. The space continues to evolve, and we are still closely involved with Lincoln University as they settle into this landmark building and deliver ongoing projects across the campus.

Client

Lincoln Univeristy

Completion

September 2023

Area

9450m²

Spaces

Education

Project Credits

Project Lead – Tim Gunther
Project Manager – Paul Clucas
Architect - Warren & Mahoney
Contactor - Leighs Construction

Waimarie

Project Scope

Lincoln sought a supplier that could provide end-to-end design, consultation and support services to the project. Working closely with the University and their architects, Warren and Mahoney, was crucial to ensure their joint vision was realised. Following a tender process put out by Lincoln University, Europlan was successfully selected to supply interior workplace design and a wide range of environmentally friendly furniture solutions.

Project Panning

Regular stakeholder meetings we held to ensure we attended to the unique requirements of specific areas within the space and could apply our intelligent project management experience to milestone planning and lead times for the wide range of furniture solutions. These meetings also allowed us to spot gaps that hadn’t been considered as part of the overall solution scope and RFP and we were able to solve challenges that hadn’t been previously identified.

We provided end users the opportunity to trial furniture solutions both in our own showroom space and onsite at Lincoln. End user feedback meant we could redirect stakeholders to more appropriate solutions.

We were diligent with staying within budget and offered solutions that delivered on vision, were fit for purpose and durable and met the overall campus requirements. We also used our experience in providing tailored solutions to design and manufacture bespoke pieces for the project.

Project Design

The planning and design phases of the project were carefully thought through to ensure consultation throughout the project for all stakeholders. We understood the vison and sustainability goals and used well-honed experience to provide:

Product specification and selection guidance
Curated mood boards and sample selections for review
Solutions that met budget requirements or achieved cost savings
Product samples and mock ups for testing and feedback
Space planning

It was important to provide carefully curated mood boards and sample selections of products for review. Lincoln University were open to our advice on how cost savings could be achieved, while ensuring a lasting, durable product. Furniture selection was managed with onsite and showroom product consultations with key stakeholders. Detailed layouts and mock-ups were key to ensure buy-in with other staff members.

Sustainable Outcomes

There were two key outcomes that Lincoln University wanted to achieve:

Sustainability – furniture should be sustainably and ethically sourced, and every effort should be made to reduce the environmental impact of production.
Longevity – let’s make the solutions durable and long-lasting.

A supplier with expertise in sourcing sustainable furniture solutions and experienced in understanding fit-for-purpose furniture solutions, was integral to the success of the project.

In keeping with Lincoln University’s sustainable infrastructure goals, Waimarie was built to have minimal environmental impact. The facility is solar powered, has ground-sourced heating and cooling, a rainwater fed septic system, locally produced bricks are used in the facade, and it is insulated and carpeted with locally grown wool. Alongside the infrastructure, recycled materials were incorporated into the design where possible – from fuel ash added to the concrete pours, and felled oak beams incorporated into ground floor learning spaces.

Our workplace design process effectively met these sustainability principles and furniture solutions were multi-purpose and carefully produced with environmentally sourced materials.

“There has been overwhelming positive feedback about the building and quality of the fit out. It has been a major exercise to move to an open plan office style from mostly individual offices, but the design of the spaces has provided a positive change for the users.”

Our experienced project management team were at the ready to step in and apply their expert approach to this critical phase of the Waimarie project.

To ensure a successful delivery and installation program for Lincoln, we provided project schedules showing supply and installation targets that aligned with progress with works on site, these plans adapted as needs changed throughout the duration of the project.

We managed supply chains to ensure adherence to the agreed schedule and met with project representatives to provide guidance on prioritisation of any critical pathways.
We synchronised manufacturing and shipping of product to ensure solutions arrived on site properly tagged and in the correct sequence for efficient installation.

Regular meetings Lincoln’s PM and the main contractor allowed us to develop confident familiarity with the project and site visits, measure ups and onsite project management meant we could respond to changing needs as the project progressed. We could also support the main contractor to pick up the supply of solutions that weren’t included in their scope, such as soft wiring and custom joinery.

Careful attention is always paid to preparing a completed stage for users, so our team conduct a detailed and full floorplate walk through of all furniture areas to ensure full functionality and cleanliness prior to handover.

Collaboration and communication are the cornerstones of a successful program and staged deliveries, site delays and working around trades and other suppliers is all in a day’s work for our highly skilled team.