"There is no such thing as a 'cookbook of solutions' in the world of geotechnical engineering - every site has its own challenges."
Collegiality is an attribute that has stood out to Gavin during his 17 years with Beca. From mining assignments in Indonesia to leadership opportunities in Christchurch and Auckland, he has developed relationships right across the business, as geotechnical engineers often work alongside a range of other disciplines.
By grasping many project opportunities that have come his way, Gavin has a thorough understanding of not only geotechnical aspects of projects but other processes such as design and construction. “I enjoy applying the knowledge that I have picked up over the past 25 years working around the world to the challenges we have in our projects today,” he says.
In recent times Gavin’s main areas of activity as Technical Director - Geotechnical are New Zealand wind farms, and highway and railway developments. Most recently and most challenging geotechnically has been the New Lynn Rail Trench. The West Auckland project requires a 1km long, 8m deep excavation through weak alluvial soils on a narrow and congested urban site.
He is also the geotechnical reviewer for Auckland’s key central city motorway project, Victoria Park Tunnel, and the imminent Mackays to Peka Peka expressway project on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington.