Te Kura Kaupapa Māori
Hastings, New Zealand
Location: Hastings, New Zealand:
Technology: Biax 500
Type: Greenfield Construction
Focus: Seismic Resilience, Sustainability
Completed: 2023
We are proud to have contributed to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Tākitimu, a state-of-the-art full immersion Māori educational facility in Hastings, NZ.
This greenfield project involved complex geotechnical conditions, met with innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.
Navigating a complex site
The project site presented several significant challenges, including poor soil conditions that required a high-performance foundation solution, a location within a floodplain demanding careful consideration of resilience and design, and a semi-rural setting with limited existing infrastructure. To address these issues, we adopted Biax 500 technology for the foundation design and construction. This innovative void former system, made from recycled plastic formwork, enabled us to deliver a lightweight, high-performance slab that reduced ground pressure, minimized the use of concrete and steel, and provided enhanced seismic resilience along with long-term sustainability.
Sustainable Foundations, Smart Results
The use of Biax 500 enabled us to provide a cost-effective, environmentally conscious, and structurally robust solution, perfectly aligned with the school’s vision of cultural and environmental integrity. This project exemplifies how modern engineering can support meaningful architecture and community-focused spaces—even under complex site conditions.