The Downtown Ferry Basin redevelopment, part of Auckland CBD's Queen’s Wharf, is a major upgrade known as ‘Te Ngau o Horotiu.’ This project added six new berths with saw blade-shaped pontoons, aiming to accommodate six million current ferry travellers and a 50% increase in the future.

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LIVEFIRM was responsible for constructing the canopy soffit, which features a 50-meter-long design with 503 individual panels created by mana whenua designers. Our tasks included building the structural timber framework to support metal rails between each panel. The ‘Trespa’ panels were imported, requiring precise measurements and coordination due to their unique patterns and tight tolerances. The soffit’s four-faced pitch added to the complexity, demanding seamless pattern alignment and frequent communication with designers and CNC operators.

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The project required pre-constructing the canopy in a yard at Hobsonville Point, transporting it via barge, and final assembly at Queen’s Wharf. This logistical challenge, combined with fluctuating pontoon heights and pre-built column adjustments, tested our team’s adaptability.

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Despite these challenges, we completed the project on time with no safety incidents. The final approval from mana whenua designers and the positive reception from travellers highlighted the success of our efforts, making it a rewarding experience for the team.