Residents in the apartments stayed on while Philip Lindesay's firm worked around them. Photo / Greg Bowker
Extensive refurbishment of Remuera apartments won Lindesay Construction a silver medal in this year's Registered Master Builders regional Auckland award.
Philip Lindesay said the job showed what could be achieved with a tired block built in 1972, now brought up to scratch with a new roof, dark exterior
cladding, double-glazing, decks enclosed to increase floor space and a sloping access ramp built from the street leading to a new two-room glazed entranceway.
Paul Clarke, of Crosson Clarke Carnachan architects, designed the changes. Lindesay also worked with building consultants CoveKinloch because many of the residents stayed while the block was stripped back to its concrete posts and beams. The cream stucco five-unit block was sound and not leaking, but had an outdated appearance. Now the block is dark brown metal clad, new landscaping has been finished, insulation installed, fire protection systems upgraded and one apartment was remodelled and partially upgraded while another was redecorated.
"The brief was to upgrade the building to comply with today's building code and add value by bringing the design into the 21st century," Lindsay said.
Residents spent $1.7 million on the entire building and the job took about a year. Before work started, the entire building was wrapped in Shrinkforce, so people could stay in their apartments and construction could continue in all weather.
