AIC Construction Students Gain Industry Insight on Live Project

Year 3 students visited a major Auckland construction project to see construction methods, heritage retention and site operations in practice.

The visit took place at 256 Queen Street, a major Precinct development being delivered with Icon Construction in central Auckland. The project combines the refurbishment and retention of the heritage-listed former Auckland Savings Bank building with a new 32-level purpose-built student accommodation development, giving students insight into the planning and delivery of a complex commercial project.

The visit began at the site office, where students were introduced to the project before joining a panel discussion with key members of the project team.

Industry professionals shared insights from their own careers and discussed the knowledge, skills and attributes graduates need when entering the construction sector. Students also gained a clearer understanding of the different roles involved in delivering a development of this scale.

The group then toured the site, observing structural works including slab construction using the jump form technique and learning more about construction sequencing on a large-scale project.

Students also saw how sections of the heritage building are being retained, including the temporary works used to protect and support the structure while construction continues.

The visit highlighted the importance of health and safety monitoring, site controls and coordination within an active construction environment.

Seeing these processes firsthand helped students connect classroom learning with industry practice, while developing a broader understanding of the planning, technical decision-making and collaboration involved in complex construction projects.

Students also had the chance to ask questions and receive practical career advice from industry professionals as they prepare for their own transition into the construction sector.

AIC thanks the Icon project team and Precinct for welcoming our students on site and generously sharing their time, experience and industry knowledge, and the Employability team for coordinating the visit.