Overview
Refurbishment of an industrial factory warehouse/office space to create a modern community church, including a 290-seat auditorium.
This transformation project, delivered by Foster Maintain, happened within a five-month timeframe.
About the project
Early contractor involvement enabled Fosters to work with the architects through the design stage, influencing buildability and value-engineering materials to meet budget constraints.
The warehouse was converted into a modern church and foyer area, integrating a large architecturally designed canopy at the entrance.
Within the building, a spacious café and youth recreational area was created, enabling large groups to congregate. Bathrooms were renovated too.
2024
1,400m2
$1.7M
Client testimonial
Formerly leased by the University of Waikato, 21 Ruakura Rd has been used for many things; a place where budding engineers toiled, mail was sorted, student records were held, and earth science rocks were stored.
So, when church leaders engaged Hamilton firm Edwards White Architects to redesign the building’s interior, they vowed to preserve echoes of its industrial past.
“We wanted to make it look nice while retaining some of its character – concrete flooring and cool, steel portal frames – to create a functional space that would serve our community well,” said Caleb, general manager of Activate Faith Group Trust.
The church engaged Fosters to bring the architectural design to life – with outstanding results.
Caleb describes the new church, completed in June 2024, as “a beautiful space”.
“We’re really, really pleased with how it looks and feels – most people are quite wowed by it,” he said.
He was impressed by Fosters’ professionalism, attention to detail, and responsiveness.
“We had excellent project and site managers, who were just masters at managing subcontractors, keeping the work flowing and keeping up with the programme – and they were really good with their communication,” he said.
“Nothing was too difficult to ask; they (Fosters) had a can-do attitude, which was great, and their workmanship was superb.”
Caleb Firth, General Manager of Activate Faith Group Trust
Fosters responded nimbly when the building had to be locked down for six months just before work was due to start and found innovative solutions when extra walls had to be removed.
“Fosters adapted quickly and pulled the design back to budget from a value engineering perspective,” Caleb said.
“They were very good at saying well, you could cut this, or you could do this, or you could swap this out for this – you know those kinds of really practical solutions.”
The church is now working with Fosters on stage two of its refurbishment project.
“We wouldn’t be doing that if they hadn’t exceeded our expectations,” Caleb said.
“Nothing was too difficult to ask; they had a can-do attitude, which was great, and their workmanship was superb.
“I would absolutely recommend Fosters, 100 per cent.”
