Introducing New Zealand's latest regenerative workplace

Meridian Energy, New Zealand’s leading provider of renewable energy, have relocated into an iconic heritage building in Wellington, the Old Bank Arcade. Meridian’s new workplace rejuvenates the 120-year-old landmark building, giving it a new lease of life and cementing Meridian's legacy within Wellington.

Sustainability and caring for the natural environment are key operating values for Meridian as custodians of New Zealand’s environment. It was critical that their new workplace set the highest standards of health and wellbeing while leaving a net positive impact.

The Living Building Challenge is the most advanced and comprehensive sustainability accreditation in the world. Led by the International Living Future Institute, it's purpose is to leave a net positive impact on people and the planet. Certification is achieved through measuring actual performance of the space over a 12-month period, ensuring an authentic and tangible impact on the environment.

Targeting the Living Building Challenge itself is a complex task and working in a Category-1 listed heritage building added an extra layer of difficulty. The project team took a thoughtful and sensitive approach to design and construction, ensuring a light-touch to make the space fit-for-purpose without permanently altering the building.

A key component of achieving Living Building Challenge accreditation is using local, sustainable materials and suppliers, presenting the opportunity to discover new suppliers that promote a circular economy.

Unispace partnered with XFrame, a local company that creates pre-fabricated, modular meeting rooms. This solution ensures minimal impact on the basebuild as the rooms are constructed using reversible fixing methods - without glues or adhesives, allowing Meridian to make easily make changes and accommodate future space needs without creating waste.

The benchtops in the kitchen and end-of-trip facilities, supplied by Critical., avoiding 2,932kg of carbon emissions through recycling plastic waste

• Kitchen benchtop is made of 3,465 pieces of plastic packaging, and 8m of recycled commercial fishing nets
• End-of-trip benchtop is made of 56,333 pieces of recycled soft plastics and 8,750 recycled plastic bottle caps.
  
  

Meridian’s marketing material was reused by SAVEboard to create feature wall panels in the entrance and end-of-trip facilities, instead of being taken to landfill. This is a creative way to integrate Meridian's brand into the space while minimizing waste.

• 95% of waste diverted from landfill
• 90% of materials with zero toxicity levels
• 50% of materials New Zealand made
• 95% of workpoints with access to views and daylight
• 100% FSC-certified timber
• 30% furniture re-use/restoration

Meridian’s new home is a regenerative environment that ‘walks the talk’, prioritizing sustainable development, wellbeing and the health of their people and the planet. It is currently under audit to achieve Living Building Challenge interior accreditation and will be one of the first in New Zealand and the world to achieve this.

Take a look into the workplace here.