• PROJECT Stokes Valley Community Hub
  • DATE 2017
  • LOCATION Lower North
  • SIZE 1000m2
  • SECTOR Tourism + Leisure
  • Client Hutt City Council
  • Duration Oct 2016 - Oct 2017
  • Value $4.7 million
The Koranui Stokes Valley Community Hub was a part of a wider community rejuvenation of the Hutt Valley and is the third project Hawkins has delivered in partnership with Hutt City Council (HCC) and the Community Facilities Trust (CFT).

This Design & Build project was managed by our Design Manager, with the aim to integrate a number of key community services including a library, computer section, toy library, Plunket and community house into a shared multifunctional location to give the community a centralised service model.

The design was developed to meet the functional requirements of the client with buildability issues resolved before construction. It was important to provide a series of multifunctional spaces for the community that would be easily maintained and durable. Part-way through the design, the project was upgraded to an IL3 to ensure the structural frame had a higher return period during seismic events.

The 1000m2 project began with the demolition and asbestos removal of the existing community centre and library. This was followed by the development and construction of the brand new hub.

Construction involved pouring a stepped raft slab, erection of a portal steel frame and in-filling with precast concrete panels and shopfront APL glazing. A number of areas were faced with Trespa panels (Yellow Kowhai to match the Stokes Valley colours). The roof was insulated and covered with a diamond roof profile and then internal partitions were timber frame and Gib lined. A number of areas had Autex lining on the walls to limit acoustic reverberation. The main multifunctional spaces all have dividing walls that allow the space to be adapted to suit.

Temporary works were required to support and underpin the adjacent retail stores and ensure no one was disturbed during our works. Great care was taken to protect the adjacent stormwater culvert through our active environmental management protocols.

The delivery team managed 34 trades, including specialist subcontractors to drill anchors to hold down the structural frame and a subcontractor with experience in fitting Trespa panels.

To reduce maintenance requirements a simple version of a BMS was deployed. The system reduces the number of active management features to make the interface more user friendly for the community team and asset maintenance staff.

Through community liasison, local artists were engaged by HCC and Hawkins to decorate elements of the building including native birds by artist Joe McMenamin and the striking carved waharoa (entranceway) above the main doors by Sam Hauwaho and Sonny Davis. The community hub also features coloured tiles that more than 400 local primary school children have created in collaboration with the hub team and The Dowse Art Museum.

HCC also took part in YOUth Inspire – a scheme that gives young people an opportunity to gain keys skills in the workplace. Hawkins took on a number of trainees, one of whom worked on the community hub project.

Early collaboration between the design team and the client’s service delivery leads was invaluable in developing the concept design to the detailed phase. Hawkins developed a number of methodologies to mitigate the challenges involved in meeting the client’s requirements for level access, as well as the connection of the site’s drainage to the network.

Hawkins was responsible for obtaining code compliance for the project. The hub was opened in October 2017. With positive feedback from the community and staff, the building is a major asset to the community.