Supporting the growth of a vibrant retirement community
Master Planning and Staged Delivery
The Northbridge Retirement Village Upgrade comprised the construction of three apartment buildings delivered across three stages.
Rubix was engaged in March 2015 to provide comprehensive project management services across all stages of the development. Our involvement also included a master planning process for the wider site, incorporating two care facility buildings, two additional apartment buildings, and future plans for a seven-storey apartment tower.
Managing Delivery Within an Operational Village
Delivering the redevelopment within a fully occupied retirement village presented a number of logistical challenges. Rubix worked closely with the Northbridge team to develop a construction methodology and staging strategy that responded to site constraints while enabling residents to move into completed buildings as they became available.
Stage One, completed in 2017, encountered significant ground conditions that required design modifications during delivery. Rubix worked collaboratively with the consultant team and contractor to develop practical solutions, ensuring the project remained on programme and within budget.
A lessons learned process was implemented between stages to identify opportunities for improvement, mitigate potential risks, and support the successful delivery of subsequent stages.
Points of Interest
- The Northbridge Lifecare Trust was founded in 1972 by a group of forward-thinking Aucklanders who identified the need to provide secure accommodation and lifelong care for older people.
- Northbridge is a leader in sustainability and has implemented a range of initiatives to improve building performance, including solar power, rainwater harvesting and insulation exceeding code requirements.
- The redevelopment was delivered within a fully occupied retirement village, requiring carefully planned staging and construction sequencing to enable residents to transition into completed buildings as they became available.
