The Indigo Hotel Project: Cutting-Edge Design meets Safety Solutions

The Indigo Hotel project exemplifies the convergence of cutting-edge architectural design with practical safety solutions. Located in a bustling urban neighbourhood in Auckland, the hotel’s development reflects a commitment to enhancing guest experience while adhering to strict safety and accessibility standards. Moddex, a leader in modular handrail and balustrade systems, played a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s success.

Introduction

The Indigo Hotel project represents a perfect fusion of modern design and compliance. Located in the heart of Auckland, the $250 million hotel offers a unique guest experience that combines comfort, style, and accessibility. This boutique accommodation features 30 luxury apartments above 250 hotel rooms. As part of its development, the project team sought to create an environment that adheres to stringent safety and accessibility standards through well-engineered solutions, including Moddex’s Ezibilt, Tuffrail and Assistrail systems. With Moddex's support, the Indigo Hotel successfully integrated service access areas and four internal fire egress stairwells, further elevating compliance standards and quality.

Project Overview

The Indigo Hotel project prioritised practical, durable, and compliant solutions to meet its unique architectural and operational needs. To achieve this, Moddex supplied a range of custom-designed handrails and balustrade systems that seamlessly integrated into the hotel's infrastructure.

Key installations included robust handrails for fire egress stairwells and compliant balustrades for service access areas. These systems were specifically engineered to adhere to stringent safety standards while offering long-lasting performance in high-use environments.

By focusing on practicality and compliance, Moddex delivered solutions that not only ensured safety and accessibility but also contributed to the hotel's commitment to quality and longevity.

Project Goals:

From the outset, the Indigo Hotel project was guided by several key goals:

1. Quality Assurance and Safety Compliance

The hotel needed to meet rigorous safety and accessibility regulations, ensuring a secure environment for all guests and staff. All in-house designs received approval through a signed PS1 from a third-party structural engineer.

2. In-house design that covers all the specs

Using in-house design and manufacturing assisted with achieving precise specifications. Drawings were developed based on the Ezibilt system, ensuring compliance and accurate solutions.

3. Harmonising Design and Functionality

Safety features often risk detracting from architectural design. For this project, it was essential to integrate safety elements without compromising the hotel’s aesthetic vision.

4. Sustainability and Efficiency

The use of durable and modular materials was critical to achieving a long-lasting and resource-efficient outcome.

To meet these objectives, the project incorporated Moddex’s innovative solutions, specifically tailored to address safety and design challenges.

Tuffrail Industrial Handrails – TR25 & TR30

The TR25 and TR30 Tuffrail handrails were chosen for areas requiring robust safety measures, including stairways, walkways, and elevated platforms. These handrails offer exceptional durability and strength, ensuring the safe and accessible routes for guests and staff. The TR25 and TR30 systems are modular, allowing for flexible installation that fits the hotel’s design specifications and their corrosion-resistant finish ensures longevity and minimal maintenance, making them ideal for exposed applications.

Ezibilt ™ - Ramp Walkway & Stair Solutions

Ezibilt™ Ramp Walkway and Stair Solutions were selected for the roof and podium services. The pre-engineered stair system offers enhanced accessibility and compliance, ensuring safety even at 43-storeys high. The Ezibilt™ solutions are delivered as easy-to-install components that minimize disruption during construction and the flexible nature of the Ezibilt™ system allowed for customisations specific to the project all whilst remaining compliant.

Both systems were chosen for their modular design, cost-effectiveness, and ability to adapt to the project’s unique requirements.

Project Impact

The Indigo Hotel project achieved significant milestones, demonstrating the impact of thoughtful design and high-quality products.

1. Enhanced Safety Standards

Moddex’s systems provided exceptional safety performance, reducing potential risks for hotel occupants. This impact showcases the hotel’s commitment to safety, accessibility and overall quality.

2. Sustainability and Durability

The use of Moddex’s modular systems minimised material wastage and facilitated future modifications or expansions.

3. Modular Systems of Prefabrication

Using Moddex’s modular systems allowed for adaptability to necessary changes, especially throughout the installation period.

Key Outcomes:

• Enhanced safety: The installation of compliant handrails and balustrades ensured high levels of safety, particularly in fire egress stairwells and service access areas.

• Long term durability: Moddex’s systems are built to last, providing a reliable solution for the hotel’s infrastructure.

• Future-proof design: The Moddex systems can adapt to potential changes or expansions, ensuring that the infrastructure remains relevant over time.

• Operational Efficiency: The modular design of Moddex’s products enabled a streamlined installation process, reducing construction time and labour costs.

Conclusion

The Indigo Hotel stands as a shining example of how safety and aesthetics can coexist without compromise. By collaborating with Moddex, the project team delivered a space that prioritises the well-being of its occupants while building a compliant, heritage-listed project. This project not only raises the bar for hospitality design but also demonstrates the potential of pre-fabricated safety systems in creating inclusive, sustainable, and beautiful spaces.