Client: Expo '92 LtdPrincipal Consultant: Lake engineering
Architect: Peter Hill
Quantity surveyors: Young & Co partnership
Construction Period: 9 Months
Scope of Works: Construction of NZ Pavilion
Argon Construction Ltd, with its reputation for efficiency, attention to detail and reliability, was offered a negotiated contract to build the New Zealand pavilion at Expo '92 in Seville, Spain.
This project 20,000 kilometers away from NZ, on the worlds largest construction site, posed a unique set of circumstances and conditions.
Argon accepted the challenge and took the decision to use New Zealand materials and labor. The company had the immense organizational and logistical tasks of transporting workmen, equipment and materials to the other side of the world.
In February 1992, construction work began on the pavilion.
Careful thought was given to choosing the workmen for this project. Managing director, Tom Cashen, wanted to send a balanced group who would be proud ambassadors for their company and country. Men who would remain committed to the work over the months of working 70 hour weeks in difficult conditions far from home.
In Seville, the company created a New Zealand environment for the crew of 45, which included sub-contractors and office staff. Living four to a house, the men had their own Maori culture group, football team and social club.
Rather then work Spanish hours with breaks for siestas and fiestas, the Argon Construction Ltd crew worked long hours each day and over the many Spanish public holidays to achieve the clients timeframe.
The Building
The New Zealand site, although only 2500m2 in size, was at the hub of Expo 92, next to the British and American pavilions and across from the major European exhibitors. The monorail passed right outside. This ideal situation was one factor in attracting a visitor target of 250,000 people each week between April and October - 4.5 million visitors in all.
Another factor was the building itself. It was a relatively simple structure dominated by the space-frame roofing system. Inside there were three theatres, an information center and food hall at ground level, with the VIP lounge, display area and offices above.
For construction of this unique building, Argon shipped 200 container loads of basic materials from New Zealand to Spain. Steel was imported from England, and exterior panels from Australia. In an environment where even the smallest things were difficult to obtain and replacement parts impossible to find, the company's staff proved to be very adaptable, learning new skills and designing their own specialist equipment to undertake some tasks.
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