Puke Ariki Museum and Library

Builder: Cleland’s Construction
Architect: BGB
Year: 2000

One of the largest projects completed by the New Plymouth District Council in recent times it has also won a number of national awards for design including lighting.

The company won the contract in a public tender and was awarded the project in January 2000. A challenging project in many respects not the least being the three year construction period at a fixed price!

The project was in two parts with the complete refurbishment of the existing four storey library building, a new building on adjacent land on the North side of Ariki Street with an air bridge linking both buildings.

Ice Electrical was responsible for the complete installation of a new main supply to the existing library building including new main switchboards, new distribution throughout the building including rising mains to the upper three floors.

An extensive cable support system was installed throughout to allow for reticulation to lighting, general power and data/telephone cabling. New specialist lighting was supplied and installed throughout including emergency and exit lighting via a monitored system. A new data/telephone structured system was installed throughout the Library building.

The second stage of the project was a new purpose built three storey building to house museum displays. Again a new mains supply and main switchboard were installed with distribution throughout the building. Extensive cable supports systems were again required with most of the building not having a ceiling as such. The cable supports being visible in the finished areas required a high level of attention to detail and coordination with other services. Much of the general lighting was also installed off the cable support systems.

In addition to the main electrical and lighting contract the company was also engaged by the museum display and fit out team to install all specialist display lighting.

The project was completed in June 2003 with in excess of 14000 man hours required.