Whangarei’s distinctive new Lower Hatea River Crossing was named supreme award winner at the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards held in Auckland on Friday (16 May).

Created by the international and local team of McConnell Dowell, Transfield Services, local architect firm Peters and Cheung, top UK bridge architect Knight Architects and UK based Eadon Consulting, the bridge was up against 38 of the country’s top commercial properties vying for awards.

The structure was described by the judges as a clear example of an outstanding commercial construction, demonstrating that functionality and aesthetics need not be mutually exclusive.

As well as the supreme award, the project also took out the Commercial and Civic category award, a Gold award and the value award for top property over $15 million.

Winning projects from all categories were:

Commercial and Civic

• Lower Hatea River Crossing, Whangarei, Transfield Services McConnell Dowell joint venture – Supreme Award, Gold and Value Award over $15million.

Education

• AUT Sir Paul Reeves Building, Auckland, Fletcher Construction – Silver

Health

• CDHD Christchurch Hospital Parkside Wards and Acute Medical Assessment Unit, Christchurch, Leighs Construction – Gold and Value Award $5-$15 million.

Industrial

• Christchurch Temporary Stadium, Christchurch, Hawkins Construction – Gold.

Restoration

• Strowan House Earthquake Repairs, Christchurch, Bushnell Builders Limited – Gold.

Retail

• Pak’n Save Marlborough, Blenheim, Robinson Construction Limited – Silver.

Tourism and Leisure

• Puzzling World Sculptillusion Gallery, Wanaka, Amalgamated Builders (2001) limited – Gold and Value ward under $2million.