Expanding and refurbishing an existing rest home to provide optimal care for residents
Ready for a refresh
Situated in north Invercargill in an acre of garden, the original Clare House comprised 20 rest home beds, and 21 single dementia beds in a secure environment. We were engaged to manage the development of a new building, adding a 28-bed hospital wing, two 2-bedroom apartments, twelve 1-bedroom apartments and four studios. The existing building was also upgraded to meet new fire codes, along with expanding and re-building the existing lounges, dining areas and laundry area.
Communication and coordination
Our team was on board for early design advice, construction procurement and construction management of the project. We tendered the works, securing very competitive pricing, and then provided contract management services throughout the construction and handover phases. One of the key challenges for us was ensuring that all operations throughout the existing complex could continue with minimal impact on staff and residents. With this in mind, strong communication and daily coordination with staff was essential.
Points of Interest
- The completion of the project was staged to allow residents early access to common areas, along with access to the first apartments for sale.
- Strict access protocols and working area demarcations were established when construction within the existing building was occurring, ensuring that over 50 residents and 10 staff were minimally affected by construction.
- Construction included fully piled foundations, which were installed with a minimum of disturbance to the residents living immediately adjacent.
