Global specialist engineering firm, Arup, whose portfolio includes the Sydney Opera House, and the iconic Gherkin in London, set out with a goal to create one of the most sustainable workplaces in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Arup’s new workplace is housed within Cooper and Company’s Hayman Kronfield Building, a Category 2 listed-heritage building in the Britomart Precinct, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The workplace pushes the boundaries of sustainable design and construction by targeting the world’s most stringent sustainability accreditation, the Living Building Challenge. Living Buildings are regenerative and positive, requiring a progressive and thoughtful approach to design and construction to achieve net positive carbon, water, and waste targets. It is an accreditation that raises the benchmark.
A journey of co-creation
Working in partnership with Māori Mana Whenua, Dane Tumahai and Paora Puru of Te Manu Taupua Ltd, the workplace centers around connection to New Zealand’s cultural heritage. In particular connecting the people of Arup with the community and with the land.
Arup’s new home is located among significant cultural landscapes that Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have a cultural, traditional, spiritual, and historical connection to; as the earliest settlers in the area. The Māori principle of Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) underpinned all design and construction choices. It was important that the Māori worldview is meaningfully felt, seen, and connected with within the workplace.
Living Building Challenge
Arup's new workplace sets the benchmark for corporate environments in the future. Aligning with their net-zero by 2030 goal, the space has a positive impact on the environment and occupants' wellbeing.
To achieve Living Building Challenge certification, the project team followed sustainable and regenerative building practices. Key highlights include 99% of waste diverted from landfill, 90% of materials are free of toxic ingredients and 50% of materials are sourced locally within New Zealand.
The workplace is currently undergoing the 12-month audit process, once this is complete the project will be the first interior to receive Living Building Challenge certification in New Zealand.
End-to-end design and construction was completed within 10 months, with an 11-week window for construction. This is an incredible achievement for the project team given the additional complexity and diligence the Living Building Challenge requires.
Read about Arup's workplace in:
citybiz
Work Design Magazine Office Tour
CoreNet Global's "The Pulse" blog
Work Design Magazine blog
