Flexibility and collaboration the key to success for HDC Streetscape upgrade

Background 

“When looking at what products to specify for these areas we chose Firth’s Commercial Paving range because we can have 80mm thick pavers and there is a good range of colours available which can also be mixed and matched with various finishes - plane, bush hammered and honed - plus they are New Zealand made,” says Aaron Tissies, Special Projects Officer – Building and Public Spaces for Heretaunga Hastings / District Council. “We needed to choose paving that is durable as often wide footpaths are accessed by courier drivers as they stop to deliver or pick up in the CBD and maintenance vehicles will park on the footpath to be close to the work they need to do.”  

Aaron says another reason for selecting the thicker 80mm pavers is that it means access can be had to the various services that run to the complexes and buildings. “Using Firth Holland Set and Piazza pavers does mean if in the future access to services is needed the paving can be pulled up, the issue resolved and the paving re-laid without too much of an issue.” 

 Working with Firth 

“I have dealt mainly with Bernice Cumming, Architectural Consultant from Firth over the various paver options and finishes available and she has been great,” adds Aaron. “If there was the odd delay with a delivery etc she told me up front and together we were able to work on a solution that suited both parties. I do often speak to the local Firth branch and Stephen Martin in Dispatch who also works closely with AMC Concrete who are a good customer for them. It’s been a great working relationship which will continue as we move on to the HB Research and Architectural Museum Research area.”  

The design included a variety of finishes and colours of Firth’s Piazza paver in a honed and bush hammered finish. “AMC have done a great job of laying them. Having the different finishes and compatibility - ie we used the 200 x 100 Hollands Sett paver with the Piazza - has meant we have come up with some great patterns.”  

“From our perspective working with Aaron has been great,” says Bernice. “There was a short manufacture time and install window required.  Everyone at Firth pulled out all the stops to manufacture and deliver for our customer and Aaron was superb to work with.  At times our dispatch team at Hunua worked with Aaron to a changing delivery site schedule.”

“This was a great example of a job presenting challenges for both parties involved and those parties working together to overcome and find solutions to get to the final result.”  

“Communication and flexibility by Firth and ourselves has meant H-Central is mostly completed and looking really great,” adds Aaron. “I regularly get comments about how good it looks. We are very pleased.”  

Overall, the streetscape project when completed, will revitalise Hastings City Centre and promote economic growth, preserve cultural heritage and create a lively community hub.