A space for future generations

Building a place that serves the community, providing positive outcomes for future generations.

Tim Harman is a Construction Manager for our team based in Canterbury. He recently led his team to construct The Kind Foundation's (formerly YMCA) new headquarters in Christchurch. In 2024, he was nominated for an NZ Building People Award in the $25 - $30 Million Project category.

The Kind Foundation’s new headquarters, Papa Hou (Treasure Box), is a building designed to meet the needs of its community. It allows the organisation to achieve its core purpose of investing in the next generation by discovering ways to develop young people today, so they will be great members of society tomorrow. This impressive building, covering around 4,000 square meters, is designed to serve multiple purposes, including spaces for reception and a café, a preschool, flexible youth areas, physiotherapy, a theatre, a gym, a dance studio, conference rooms, classrooms, and staff offices, all spread over three levels.

What stands out about this project is its architectural design, emphasising aesthetics and the seamless integration of services. Most of the building’s services are exposed, demanding the highest installation standards to maintain function and beauty. The design aims to foster social connection, sustainability, cultural ties, and community engagement, making it an iconic addition to Central Christchurch.

The building was completed in November 2023. It began with another building contractor before Cook Brothers came in to take over the project. Tim took on the challenge of negotiating the transition of various Trade Partners who had already been engaged in the project. Tim’s open approach and effective use of the wider project team facilitated seamless information sharing among the client, consultant group, trade partners, and his site team.

“As the project neared completion and the schedule became increasingly tight, Tim’s leadership was crucial. He held daily meetings with the key trade partners, providing them with the support and motivation needed to meet deadlines,” said Milly Perkins, Project Manager for RCP.

“His unwavering dedication and resilience ensured the project stayed on track and was completed successfully on time.”

Other important factors to consider in this project were working with a community organisation and being flexible to their values and needs. Tim was instrumental in enabling The Kind Foundation to realise several social impact initiatives.

“We decided we would mill our own timber for one aspect of the build. The timeframe, specification and quality of the final product was unknown and created a number of programme risks – however we figured it out together and now there is timber in the building from trees we planted 30 years ago,” said Josie Ogden Schroeder, CEO of The Kind Foundation.

“Other examples were the large-scale murals we wanted spray-painted on three of the shear walls, and our desire to have youth install all the window manifestations, both before PC. All of these things (and more) created significant health & safety, logistical and personnel issues for Tim to have to manage and work around – which he always did for us because he understood how important they were to our vision and goals as an organisation.”

Tim’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to the project’s success and the community’s well-being allowed him to foster a positive relationship with the client and ensure that everyone remained focused on achieving the best possible results.

“What Tim has done for me, alongside his really great team, is restore my faith in the construction industry because I believe he genuinely cared. It was more than just another job,” said Josie Ogden Schroeder, CEO of The Kind Foundation.

“I am extremely grateful to Tim for his leadership and commitment to our project. I believe the success was consequent of a fantastic team overall, positive relationships, and a rather unusual emotional investment that was shared by everyone involved.”

This building will serve the community of all ages and backgrounds, symbolising a successful collaboration that benefits the community.