Each year, the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) local architecture awards honours the finest designs and architects our country has to offer, and 2021 did not disappoint.  There were many amazing projects across New Zealand selected to win one of these prestigious awards, and Tilley Group is proud to have made a contribution by supplying the stunning perforated, folded panels for one of these projects.

In response to their client’s request for “a box with a pool”, the architects have delivered just that, albeit a skilfully executed box that rises above the constraints imposed by its steep and challenging site. This is a generous home that belies its small 330m² site. Stretching over three levels in an effectively arranged plan, the home’s clear zones take advantage of a northern aspect and views over the city. A folded, perforated screen across the facade works hard to address shading and privacy concerns while doubling as a fall protection barrier for the internal rooms. In a design reminiscent of infill housing in cities of greater density than Nelson, the Collingwood Street House provides an example of a typology that is rarely seen but sorely needed in the region.

Source: https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/winners-announced-2021-nelson-marlborough-architecture-awards/

There were many other fantastic winning designs, here are a few of our favourites:

Stewart Residence
A close and thoughtful collaboration between client and architect, this energy-efficient passive house is an easy and comfortable place to live and entertain in, and is carefully designed to create a delightful duality. Upon approach, one is greeted by an entranceway that will scoop you up and draw you through the solid boundary wall, beyond which a series of internal and external rooms are strung along an internal spine. The sun and wind are cleverly softened and managed by external frames, while views to the north gather around an outdoor pool.

source: https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/9825

Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat
For Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat, the client sought to lead by example with a hotel and campground that visibly educates guests on the benefits of sustainability. The resulting work across the disciplines of engineering, landscape architecture, the arts and more, has been successfully orchestrated by the architects. The retreat consists of a compelling landscape of building forms arrayed around a central green common. These structures fulfil a variety of functions while responding to the client’s desire for the nostalgic aesthetic of a bush cabin. The use of recycled materials, along with close attention to air quality, thermal comfort and acoustics, means guests of Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat will be immersed in a rich sensory atmosphere.

source: https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/9898

Invercargill Public Library Refurbishment
On a tight budget, this well-used and loved space from the 1980s has been given a new life. Previously siloed spaces have been opened out to produce a community-focused social hub. A central information kiosk and stairway has been inserted into the building, transforming what was previously a thoroughfare between streets into a light-filled atrium, while maintaining and celebrating the original post-modern architecture.

source: https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/9756

SCION Innovation Hub - Te Whare Nui o Tuteata
Innovation creates artefact in this robust response to a complex masterplan brief. Superstructure and tectonics conform to play with scale and occupation in a masterclass of progressive timber technology. A simple horseshoe plan contrasts well with a visually rich skin to create a welcoming and warm environment. Visual connections allow easy navigation and use of the space while creating a sociable and contemporary work environment. This building is an asset to the Scion campus, and creates a welcoming arrival and public interface that combines technology with culture in a cohesive and well-assembled building.

source: https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/9581

All winners of the 2021 NZIA Local Architecture Awards can be found at https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local-architecture-awards#location=&category=&year=2021&view=Winners&keywords=

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Large, perforated corten panels punched by Tilley Group, form the basis of a Māori design installation at the Gisborne's Cook Landing Site National Reserve.  According to Ngāti Oneone artist Nick Tupara, it's ambitious goal is to balance the way our history is presented.

Leading the project, Tupara says, “It comes out of a response from our nation, I guess, through our Tūranga Tairāwhiti community to say 'are we telling the history the way we'd like it to be told?'”  Tukutuku was used by Māori to bind materials for houses, the same technology used to bind waka that Māori navigated to Aotearoa.  “You get to exchange with another person with a barrier between you and together you offer materials through that barrier and create something quite beautiful at the end,” says Tupara.  Weaver Adrienne Stewart from Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti says, “You learn how to communicate without having to speak to each other, you learn to how weave tukutuku panels on a larger scale.”

Ngāti Oneone are collaborating with the Department of Conservation and the Gisborne District Council with the aim of balancing out the historical narratives of the region.  The panels will stand as a monument for the next generation.  “Hopefully something for my mokopuna to look at later on in the future knowing that their nanny has been involved in something really important for Tūranganui-a-Kiwa," says Stewart. 

Department of Conservation officer Jamie Quirk says, “It's a story that's overdue in telling and it'll be items like this wall that will encourage people to go down there, look at the site, enjoy the site and understand what's happened over there over a long long period of time.”  Tupara says, “There has never been a reference to our iwi, our local Māori people and this is our opportunity to bring some balance into our storytelling and to the way we pass on our history to others.”

Weavers from Te Tairāwhiti East Coast and around the country are participating in the process.  “From Ngāti Tāmanuhiri all the way up the coast and when you do that you always get a few extras, you get ones from Tainui, Whakatōhea, Whānau-a-Apanui, everyone who wants to come and share in a unique experience, even Ngāti Tauiwi, Pākehā weavers as well," says Tupara.  Weaver Jo-Vanna Ropiha from Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki and Ngapuhi says, “It's amazing to be able to be part of the mahi that we do here in Tairāwhiti, absolutely amazing.” 

The new structure will honour the Māori esoteric school of learning called Puhi Kai Iti, and stand where navigator Maia and his waka Te Ikaroa-a-Rauru landed centuries ago.  “To bind a sharing of stories, history, heritage, to bring together our shared differences, but also at the end of the day to create a space that's safe for us to have these discussions on our history and how we can use those to benefit our people,” says Tupara.

This article is republished from Te Ao Māori News

http://www.teaomaori.news/weaving-together-people-culture-and-heritage

Article: Te Kuru o te Marama Dewes

August 2019.

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The Elegance of Origami

In a densely populated area of Nelson, a clean-lined, elegant vertical home addresses the challenges of a tight site to deliver abundant light-filled spaces with outstanding views and privacy from the street.

Once part of a larger parcel of land, the steep section nestles into a landmark pocket of lush vegetation under the Grampians on a hill overlooking Nelson city towards the port.

Tilley Group was proud to be involved in this project, manufacturing the stunning folded, perforated screens that form such an iconic part of this build.

An active retired couple intent on downsizing had built their home several properties up the hill about a decade ago. Although they were enthused by the area and views, they weren’t sure if the 331m2 site lower down could provide the elevation and amenities they required. Before they purchased, they invited Simon Hall of Jerram Tocker Barron (JTB) Architects to give his verdict.

“It was a an exercise in meeting all the wants and needs this generation likes and can afford on a  small site including a nice,  low-maintenance modern house with three bedrooms above double car garaging with a basement, swimming pool and a lift as well for accessibility,” says Simon. “The challenge is how you put all this on the land without completely consuming it and maintaining outdoor amenity.”

On the upside, the mature trees gave an established feel to the site and his clients could obtain sign-off for resource consents from the existing owners.

Much of his focus was on addressing issues around light, shade and privacy from the street in an interesting manner. His strategy was to provide a stacked stair at the back for vertical circulation up through three storeys and a lift at one end.

“It’s like a saddlebag attached to the main building form with all the services and bathrooms to the rear and views from the living areas and bedrooms in front.”

Going up three storeys with expansive floor to ceiling glass on each floor maximised light and created a generous feeling of open space inside.

“Because of the views and mature vegetation, you don’t feel like you’re among a lot of houses. It’s like living in an apartment. The trick was accentuating the views while at the same time, providing privacy.”

Geometric shade fins made from perforated powder coated aluminium, custom punched and folded like origami, maximise privacy and provide a unique architectural feature to the street façade. A louvred screen on the poolside deck off the lounge visually buffers the adjoining property.

Vertical construction over three floors effectively separates the main living from an independent guest studio the couple has used for Airbnb accommodation next to the double garage, laundry and lift on the ground floor.

Two bedroom suites on the mid-floor include a spacious master bedroom that opens to the street, catching grandstand views east over the trees to Tasman Bay. The spare bedroom gains a poolside view, opening to the courtyard on the north-west corner; the ultimate covered entertaining space for summer. Living spaces on the upper level cantilever out over the pool area, which is embedded in a pre-cast concrete basement.

The building has a dark, austere flavour, constructed of shuttered pre-cast concrete to the first floor with a timber frame structure clad in Colorsteel and touches of black cedar around the courtyard.  JTB struggled to find a supplier for the pre-cast work so the builder, IMB Construction put in extra effort to complete it themselves.

Interiors draw on that rich aesthetic with dark, charred oak joinery and “quite heavy, earthy tones”. The kitchen has an industrial flavour featuring an expansive linear pendant in a rustic charred timber. The idea of permeability on the exterior is reinforced in a perforated screen in the stairwell.

Defining the entry, a cantilevered canopy leads to a large door opening onto a double-height space highlighted by pendant lighting.

Simon enjoyed the process of making the house very comfortable and functional for a couple who spend a lot of time at home entertaining. “It was rewarding seeing them happy with lots of light, heat and amenity.”

He says, the benefit of going up three storeys means you can stack a lot more in. “From a design aspect they’re really elegant. You can create more interest with a three-storey building. Two levels can be quite blunt, their proportions often can look  square and blocky.”

For Simon, the project reasserts his belief that you don’t need a big site.

“You shouldn’t be deterred by small, tricky sites. Good opportunities come from them. If you work them hard, they are a lot more rewarding.”

Click here to find out more about this project.

This article is republished from ArchiPro

https://archipro.co.nz/project/collingwood-street-residence-jerram-tocker-barron-architects

Article: Vicki Holder

Photos: Jason Mann Photography

July 2020.

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Every year, Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) runs its widely respected peer-reviewed Local Architecture Awards program that showcases the immense design talent on display across the country.  25 winners have recently been selected from the Canterbury region, chosen by a panel of professionals headed by convenor Huia Reriti, joined by Wellington architect Anne Kelly, Christchurch architects Bernadette Muir and Daniel Sullivan and Christchurch architectural designer Tobin Smith.

With the range of winning designs including new homes, heritage restoration projects, large buildings and public spaces, it is stunning to see the variety of architectural creativity and quality on display amongst this year’s celebrated projects.

Tilleys is proud to have been involved with one of these prestigious award winning designs, manufacturing the intricately patterned perforated Aluminium panels that make up the striking façade of the University of Canterbury’s Electrical Link building.

The jury had this to say about the project:

University of Canterbury Electrical Link Building Re-clad

What at first glance seems to be a simple makeover of an existing structure is actually a beautifully orchestrated response to a multitude of inherent and problematic design issues. The architects of the Electrical Link Building Re-clad have approached the pragmatic design brief as an opportunity to re-imagine the building through the development of a crisp, white perforated mesh screen – pervious to light but impervious to avian interference – that envelops the existing structure. The sharp hexagonal geometry of the existing floor plate has been celebrated and enhanced to create a vertical beacon within a predominantly horizontal neighbourhood.

For a full list of winners, visit the NZIA webpage at:

http://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local-architecture-awards#location=&category=&year=2020&view=Winners&keywords=

Images sourced from: http://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/8985

July 2020.

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No stranger to laser cutting technology, Tilley Group has operated various CO2 systems in their manufacturing processes since 1994. If laser cutting was regarded as a “disruptive” technology back then, today’s fibre laser cutting systems have turned disruptive into “revolutionary”, given their impact on sheet metal fabrication in recent years. 

Always future focused, choosing action over inertness is something the 99-year-old company is well known for.

“Be it one of our proprietary products or project work, customer value has been our ongoing purpose since 1921. Creating better value in a competitive industry 4.0 environment, we are committed to identifying business needs, investing in technology that will meet them, building organisational capabilities and actively adapting processes and culture so both remain relevant,” says managing director, Rory Bremner.

Investment into a fibre laser system was crucial to meet the company’s future needs. Among the many suppliers they approached, Bystronic provided the best fit with a BySmart 3015 system. Having recently purchased an Xpert series press brake from Bystronic, the overall experience ticked a lot of boxes. Bystronic worked with Tilley to create an “end to end” manufacturing roadmap for the needs of the business today and tomorrow.

"Bystronic stands out for their strong reputation for building reliable, fully integrated manufacturing systems, backed by a wealth of industrial knowledge and experience." Having a wholly owned subsidiary selling and servicing in the Australasian region, meant easy, clear and reliable communication with the manufacturer.

Tilley Group embraces all facets of the light and fast factory of the future. Working with a supplier who understands digitalised manufacturing in terms of Industry 4.0 promises speed, with directness and flexibility. Bystronic’s BySoft 7 software package makes it easy. Constructing and calculating parts, creating cutting plans and bending programmes simultaneously, while planning and monitoring the entire manufacturing processes wouldn’t be imaginable without powerful software like BySoft 7.

“You maintain an overview, while completing jobs quickly, affordably and reliably,” says Phil Dornan, Tilley Group’s production manager. “Seeing machines communicate with each other is novel in animation, but totally mind blowing when you experience the gains and end results when it is operating in your factory.”

There is also something green about Tilley Group’s new machines. The new fibre laser is significantly more energy efficient than the old CO2 laser. Using the same power input, it generates four times the output. The new Xpert series press brake also contributes to the reduced power consumption due to the “Energy Saver” function.

“We maybe in our 100th year, but every day our barometer feels the industry 4.0 revolution that is transforming so many industry sectors around the world” says Rory. “The Tilley factory of the future is intelligent and embodies the lean principle. We will continuously optimise our production processes, not because it sets us apart from our competitors, but it provides the best value for our customers.”

The next step that is being considered is the implementation of fully-automated, digital solutions for laser cutting and bending: “Our goal is full digitalisation”.

This article is republished from NZ Engineering News

July 2020.

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Smart recycling and rubbish bins have arrived in Gisborne to help reduce litter and make it easier for the Gisborne community to recycle correctly.

The Let’s Put Litter in its Place campaign has resulted in more than 150 sets of bins being installed in 17 regions around the country including seven in Gisborne and rural locations.

Bins have been installed at Waikanae Beach and Gisborne i-Site, the summit of Titirangi/Kaiti Hill, the Botanical Gardens and outside public toilets at Te Araroa, Tolaga Bay and Matawai.

The Smart EYEfi bins have technology and features that reduce contamination by managing overflowing bins and improving ease of use and identification, said The Packaging Forum Litter Project manager Lyn Mayes.

Each set has bins for recycling, glass and rubbish.

“We trialled these bins around the country and found they not only reduced contamination levels but our audits of the pilot bins showed an improvement in overall behaviour,” said Ms Mayes.

“Eighty-one percent of items disposed of in the yellow recycling bins and 99 percent of items in the blue glass bins were correctly placed. This is a fabulous result.”

Each recycling and rubbish bin has an EYEfi unit which provides an alert when bins are nearing capacity. Bins are subsequently emptied as required, rather than on a schedule.

The bins have been designed to make their purpose clearer.

They come in “nationally-agreed” colours for recycling and waste and have signage in te reo Maori and English.

“Almost 80 percent of people have said the colours and signage make the bins easier to use,” said Be a Tidy Kiwi programme manager Richard Leckinger.

“Over the past three years we have counted litter and monitored the impact of the new bins and are seeing a measurable decrease in litter.”

In a national litter field count conducted in May of 2018 by Waste Not Consulting, an average of 19.5 items of litter per 1000m2 was counted in Gisborne, compared to the national average of 30.5 items.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said while the city had a better-than-average litter record, there was always room for improvement.

“It’s great to see smart technology being used to reduce litter. We will be monitoring the data and utilising the routing technology to minimise servicing costs.

“I support the Let’s Put Litter in its Place campaign and I’m pledging to Be a Tidy Kiwi and Put Litter in its Place. I’d like to see other Kiwis doing the same.”

The Packaging Forum promotes recycling under the Government’s Love NZ brand and The Auckland Litter Prevention Steering Group, who manages wthe Be a Tidy Kiwi brand.

The $2.4 million project has received $1.72m from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund.

This investment is supported by the national advertising and consumer awareness campaign “Let’s Put litter in its Place – it’s just how we do things around here”.

This article is republished from The Gisborne Herald
http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/4411823-135/going-tech-to-improve-rubbish-habits

December 2019.

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Elizabeth Barbalich doesn't want to talk about skincare today.  Which is surprising, given she founded the globally successful natural beauty company Antipodes Nature.

Instead, Barbalich wants to talk architecture. Or, more specifically, the opening of her company's Wellington HQ, Antipodes House.  Carved into the shell of an historic 1930s Art Deco building, Antipodes House, the company's global office and only retail store opened in Ghuznee Street last week with a lavish party.

It took four years and around 250 workers to wave the renovation wand over the 2070m2 building, including adding 200 tonnes of steel beams and specialist earthquake technology that burrowed thick micro-piles 30 metres underground.  The result is a four-storey, light-filled office space and roof terrace housing 50 staff, from marketers and product developers to designers and videographers.

"Wellingtonians of a certain age might remember the building as the iconic Bar Bodega," says Barbalich, settling into a chair in her new office on the first floor. "But it started life in the '30s as the Nestle Chocolate factory and since then has also been an RSA and, in the '80s, the famous restaurant, Brasserie Flip."

Barbalich admits she always loved the building and stumbled upon it by chance. "We were lucky the previous owners wanted a quiet sale. It was pretty run down, but we knew we had to restore this grand old dame of Wellington."

It's the latest step in a journey that's taken Barbalich from her kitchen sink to a $100 million retail empire whose cleansers, serums, moisturisers and lipsticks are stocked by everyone from Sephora and Boots to pharmacies, health food stores and duty free shops across Asia, the US and Canada.

"I've always had sensitive and dry skin, so was looking for the ultimate hydrating product," says Barbalich. "Since my three children were young [they're now 22, 20 and 19], I've been keen on healthy food and lifestyles and finding natural alternatives for synthetic products."

It helped that Barbalich had a science degree, so, back in 2005, she started sourcing ingredients and studying the chemistry of formulations that she experimented with in her family's kitchen.

"I spent two years weighing and mixing countless trial formulations at home, until eventually knew I had something that would work. I contacted a cosmetic chemist in Auckland, who'd developed various European brands, as well as a French 'nose' who helps develop scents for products. I then found a local manufacturer willing to take over production and we started with seven products, including a face oil, night cream and a hand cream."

Barbalich admits the first four or five years were tough, when she had to do everything herself, including securing distribution, selling the products, tell the brand story and travelling the country alone, working directly with every store who took the brand on. Not to mention raising a young family.

In 2013, her property developer husband Zoran joined the business, looking after sales into China and financial operations.

Barbalich admits their business dominates family life, with the couple spending most of their waking hours discussing it, or travelling for it.

Up until the move into the new headquarters, staff were scattered around various apartments in a former eye hospital in Newtown that Zoran had turned into a residential development.

"After so many years, it's great to finally have everyone under one roof and to be in such a central location."

This article is republished from Stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/117669696/kiwi-natural-beauty-brand-antipodes-nature-opens-wellington-retail-store

November 2019.

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As a forward focused company, Tilley Group Ltd is constantly evolving and looking to the future.  A significant part of that strategy is to always be looking at reinvesting in new technology that will help them continue to deliver the strong quality and service they pride themselves on and that their customers have come to expect.

The Industry 4.0 revolution means a significant change for how factories are set up and the way companies function by making full use of smart functionality and connected systems.  Tilley is embracing that challenge by looking for new solutions that improve their processes to both meet the challenges and seize the new opportunities that this change will bring.

The key to any industrial progress and organisational development, is looking for products from companies that inspire trust. Bystronic stands out for their strong reputation for building reliable, fully featured products as well as having a solid background of industrial knowledge and experience.  Their wholly owned subsidiary servicing the Australasian region, meant easy, clear and reliable communication which was invaluable to Tilleys.  Interacting directly with Bystronic has helped foster a high degree of confidence and trust in the company’s products and service, and in turn created a strong working relationship. Their dedicated New Zealand service base means prompt, valuable support for a wide range of after sales service.  This includes installation, training, maintenance, trouble shooting & repair as well as local phone support (including after hours) and a service team of factory trained engineers.

One of the most attractive aspects of Bystronic’s range of machines, is their powerful suite of software packages.  The comprehensively featured but easy-to-use BySoft system in particular makes creating and monitoring processes simpler, faster and more efficient than ever before.  Peace of mind comes from the online functionality enabling both the monitoring of the machine as well as enabling the latest updates for its software to be downloaded immediately upon availability.  Should any issues possibly arise, they are promptly detected and addressed which minimises downtime.

Bystronic designs its machines for the emerging demands of Industry 4.0.  This means that as Tilley Group migrates towards greater automation, there is confidence in the knowledge that these machines are capable of adapting to those needs and ensuring that they will have a long, productive and relevant lifespan.

After installation of Bystronics Xpert 100 Series Pressbrake, Tilley quickly began to see first-hand the value it brought to their company.  Due to its intelligent design, the intuitive controls meant bringing operators up to speed was incredibly easy.  Improvements to work-flow were quickly noticed thanks to the process optimisation the operating system delivers, and the connected network solutions allowing systems within the company to communicate with each other lead to noticeably reduced lead times.

The high quality design of the machine meant that Tilleys could not only improve their folding capabilities but it also ensures that their focus on consistent quality is attained faster and easier than before.  This in turn leads to a noticeable drop in wastage of time and materials.

This article is republished from New Zealand EngineeringNews

September 2019.

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