Delivering a world-class engineering precinct within a live campus
Inspiring innovation
The Canterbury Engineering the Future (CETF) programme, completed in 2018, was a flagship redevelopment of the University of Canterbury’s School of Engineering in Christchurch. The $150M programme involved the rebuild and refurbishment of seven buildings, including the creation of a new Engineering Core, specialist laboratories, teaching spaces, offices, and collaborative areas.
Engineering the outcome
Rubix was appointed as Project Manager, leading a large and diverse team through a fast-paced and technically complex programme. At project initiation, we supported the client in securing a main contractor through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model to meet critical programme milestones. During design, we facilitated extensive engagement with end-users across multiple engineering disciplines, ensuring that technical teaching and research requirements were fully integrated through workshops, design reviews, and BIM coordination.
Environmental considerations were a key focus throughout the programme. The site’s location and the nature of the research facilities required careful planning, coordination with regulatory authorities, and implementation of robust environmental management practices to ensure compliance and protect surrounding ecological features.
Construction occurred within a live campus, requiring careful staging and daily communication with staff and students. Online tools and social media were used to provide real-time updates on access and wayfinding, ensuring safety and continuity of teaching and research.
Delivered on time and within budget, CETF has provided the University of Canterbury with world-class facilities that support innovation, collaboration, and future-focused engineering education.
Points of interest
- We worked closely with the client and contractor during an Early Contractor Involvement phase, then helped all parties to navigate the intricacies of the project’s Gross Maximum Price head contract during the delivery phase.
- With the University’s insurer funding part of the works, we facilitated joint decision making and agreement among stakeholders to ensure the project could continue unbridled by insurance related constraints.
- Online tools were used to communicate daily with staff and students, and social media tools were used to update ‘Gen Y’ students on changing access and wayfinding information.
