Teamwork leads OPAIC student to national win

OPAIC student Wei Qi (Beatrice) Hong and her teammates have won one of New Zealand’s top construction competitions, crediting their success to strong teamwork and mutual support.

The BRANZ ArchEngBuild Challenge is one of New Zealand’s leading interdisciplinary competitions, fostering collaboration between final-year students in architecture, engineering, and construction.

Held at the University of Auckland last week, the challenge brought together 40 of the country’s top students to design innovative, resilient, and sustainable housing solutions in just 72 hours. Teams tackle a real client brief and are mentored by professionals from across the industry.

Beatrice says the biggest highlight was being paired with such amazing and genuinely supportive teammates.

“I feel incredibly lucky that I met friends for life, and it was truly life changing. For us, it wasn’t just about being professional or smart; it was about how we supported each other as a team. We focused on tolerance, care, respect, and open communication.”

On the first day, instead of jumping straight into the design, they took time to introduce themselves and get to know each other. Brainstorming sessions were lively, with everyone participating and sharing ideas.

“Decisions were always made together, and we changed our design many times to make sure everyone was happy,” says Beatrice.

The team barely slept, but balanced hard work with regular breaks to maintain their wellbeing. They always checked on each other, and supported one another, and made sure workloads were balanced.

“Our team spirit and strong bond were at the core of our success.”

One of the most valuable lessons Beatrice took away from the ArchEngBuild Challenge was the importance of teamwork and supporting one another, especially in high-pressure situations.

“Looking after each other’s wellbeing and building a supportive environment is just as crucial as technical skills when it comes to achieving success as a team.”

Working closely with teammates from diverse backgrounds broadened her perspective and showed her the strength that comes from inclusion and collaboration.

Beatrice said winning the competition was a huge surprise.

“We agreed that, win or lose, we’d given it our best and had so much fun together. Winning was just the icing on the cake.”

The winning team received a $12,000 prize and national recognition for their innovative, client-focused design.

Lecturer Dr Omer Altaf says Beatrice’s team stood out for their creative thinking, collaboration, and strong technical approach, impressing the industry mentors and judges.

“Beatrice’s success reflects not only her individual talent but also the strength of our Construction Management programme in preparing learners to lead and collaborate in multidisciplinary settings.”

Omer says it is a fantastic achievement and a valuable experience that will shape her future career in the built environment sector.