2025 Building People Awards
We had an epic night at the Building Institute Aotearoa Building People Awards!
BIM Coordinator Patrick Gallego was the equal winner of the James Hardie Innovation | Auaha Award.
Patrick identified a gap between digital processes and carbon assessments and developed CarbonCore 360, integrating Autodesk Construction Cloud and other digital platforms to give teams live visibility of carbon emissions alongside cost and programme. Patrick’s collaborative approach was key – he worked with suppliers and end-users to ensure the solution’s usability.
Part of our Wellington BIM team, Patrick acts as a digital bridge, connecting people, tools, and ideas to drive meaningful change. His leadership proves that innovation doesn’t always require new tools – sometimes it’s about using what we already have in smarter, more connected ways.
The digital BIM space holds enormous potential for sustainability. Patrick’s work shows that if we harness it well, we can build not just better, but greener – and today.
Patrick’s work proves that sustainability and performance can go hand-in-hand, and he brings the kind of energy, genuine enthusiasm, and open mindset that’s essential to driving change through digital tools and collaborative processes.
Canterbury Project Manager Gareth Salisbury was Highly Commended in the Carters $10-$50 Million Project Award for his work on Te Hurihanga ō Rangatahi Youth Hub Christchurch.
Gareth played a central and multifaceted role in the delivery of The Youth Hub, leading the project through complex construction challenges on a constrained urban site. He fostered a collaborative approach across the project partners and a safe, respectful site culture.
Known for his humility, calm confidence and outstanding communication, Gareth made balancing the project’s technical demands with community and sustainability goals look easy. We’re absolutely delighted to see him receive this recognition.
Gareth overcame funding uncertainty and stakeholder resistance with empathy and precision, while fostering inclusivity and collaboration.
The Whakamaru team of Amanda Bulman and Denis Chin from Three Line Studio, Ken Johnston and Dion Williams from Naylor Love, City Missioner Murray Edridge and Matt Reed from Kensway Highly Commended in the HUBEXO Collaboration | Kotahitanga Award.
This team truly lived by the mantra “no us and them”, working as partners to deliver an innovative, transformative wraparound community facility for The Wellington City Mission. Their relationship was defined by trust, openness and a shared commitment to keeping costs down while delivering exceptional value.
We’ll leave the final word to the judges:
Their genuine collaboration, shared vision, and technical innovation set a new benchmark for social infrastructure.
Lead Design Manager Sonia Muir was named a Fellow of the Institute at the awards. Fellow Awards recognise members who have made a significant contribution to the development of the New Zealand construction industry. Sonia’s influence has been both longstanding and long lasting, with contributions to the Institute and other volunteer-driven organisations including the NAWIC alongside her sterling work in our national design team.
Thank you to all the sponsors and to the Building Institute Aotearoa for hosting a great night celebrating the people behind the projects!
