RICS recognises industry excellence

The two-year renovation project of the heritage DFS building in down town Auckland scooped JLL's project and development services team two awards at the annual RICS held Thursday at Sky City: Team of the Year for both Building Consultancy and Management and Construction Project Management.

Director Ben Dalton said that through the two-year project his team of six project managers brought together the brand's international consultancy and architecture teams, local engineers and contractors, and, at one point, the designers and installers for the 40 international luxury brands that make up the DFS retail offering.

Dalton drew on his architectural background including large scale luxury retail in London, and judges praised the strong, diverse team's comprehensive blend of skills and experience in delivering the complex project and the innovative way they integrated JLL's global delivery processes with local and international suppliers.

Joint winner of the Building Consultancy and Management, Beca, was awarded for the way the company deployed two teams on a challenging and time-constrained project. Citing the outstanding teamwork, the judges mentioned the meticulously planning and delivery, particularly the innovative use of boat-building designers to achieve a difficult aesthetic.

RICS New Zealand Country Manager, Michelle Manley, said that the awards showcased inspirational projects in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

"The work of professionals across the built environment makes an extraordinary contribution to the lives of everyone in our communities, and the ways in which we live, work and play."

RICS places particular importance on the Innovation Award, she says, as this is future proofing the industry for long term sustainability. This year that award was taken out by Bank of New Zealand, for the property team's highly innovative approach to the refurbishment of an earthquake-damaged building.

Judges said: "This small, but diverse team also focused on highly sustainable solutions that provided a leading-edge working environment for the building's occupiers."

Also pointing to the future of the industry is the Young Achiever of the Year award. Again, judges pulled two winners in this category, Peter Hamilton of CBRE and Nick Hooper of Colliers. They praised not only Hamilton's professional skills (he has other prestige awards for valuations under his belt and is a thought leader for clients and peers) but also his charitable work supporting the role of professionals in society, and is a strong advocacy of sustainable living.

Colliers' Hooper earned accolades for his leadership and talent particularly around professional standards and adoption of innovation.

Established players were recognised in Woman of the Built Environment award and Lifetime Achievement recipient.

Bridget Fowler, CBRE, and Gwendoline Callaghan of Colliers were joint winners. Judges cited Fowler's best-in-class knowledge, forward-thinking strategic advice and strong leadership, particularly as a passionate advocate for women in property.

Callaghan's was praised as one of the most experienced women working in New Zealand's commercial property industry as a company founder, director, mentor and advocate for valuer education and for supporting young women in the industry.

Panuku's Clive Fuhr was honoured by his boss Roger MacDonald and Colliers' Alan McMahon for his lifetime achievement transforming Auckland, including regeneration of Auckland's central city and now Manukau, and, earlier the Waterview Connection, projects that exemplified the position RICS celebrates: creating new opportunities for better ways of living and working around the whole city.