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COMMERCIAL OFFICE
+ THIS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SECTOR INCLUDES AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENTS THAT DELIVER INNOVATION AND DIVERSITY OF DESIGN. YOU’LL ALSO FIND PROJECTS OF VERY DIFFERENT SCALE IN THIS EXCITING CATEGORY.
The contemporary layout and fit-out enables superior integration and communication between teams. Design elements, such as the tukutuku, represent the weaving together of police and community.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS
Piki Ki Te Ao translates as “the aspiration of diversity; the coming together of communities” – and this is the name given to the refurbished home of specialist New Zealand Police services.
The building is central to police operations throughout New Zealand, but also for the local community.
Two distinct goals – transforming the dated building into a modern workspace and upgrading it to national standards for government facilities – have been addressed in this project. As well as representing a new approach for New Zealand Police, the project demonstrates the success of working closely with local iwi to achieve better outcomes for all.
This refurbishment brings together a wide range of critical regional police functions that were previously dispersed across multiple Auckland locations. The layout has been changed from cellular floors to larger, open-plan spaces, enabling superior integration and communication between teams.
Many of the building’s functions – including the 111 (Northcoms) and 105 Call Centres, as well as specialist departments such as photography and digital forensics, and offices – required detailed user briefs. As these individual groups had different desired outcomes, collaboration was key in successfully transforming the dated offices into modern, fit-for-purpose spaces.
Honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi was also key to this project, an approach that is woven into its fabric. A tukutuku design represents the weaving together of the police and community; a turning-of-the tide-koru symbolises the vision of achieving better outcomes through working in partnership with iwi. The heart of the build contains the Whare Wananga space.
Illustrating the desire to move away from dated stereotypes, the plain palette traditionally used by the police has been overhauled. At Piki Ki Te Ao, most floors have an earthy palette of yellows, oranges and greens. Colour psychology has been applied to the call centres where staff take 105 and 111 calls, with soft shades aiming to reduce the intensity of this environment. +
PIKI KI TE AO
482 Great South Rd, O - ta - huhu, Ta maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER, DEVELOPER NZ POLICE CONSTRUCTION WATTS AND HUGHES ARCHITECT GHDWOODHEAD CREATIVESPACES SERVICE, STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL ENGINEER GHD QUANTITY SURVEYOR RDT PACIFIC PROJECT MANAGER OCTA OTHER CONSULTANTS BLACKYARD ENGINEERING, HOLMES FIRE
EXCELLENCE & BEST IN CATEGORY
Top Architects Monk Mackenzie designed the sculptural arc for the head office, plus a mammoth distribution centre. Above inside the 77,500sqm distribution centre.
Opposite Natural light streams into the head office.
LANDING A TOP-FLIGHT PLAN IN SUSTAINABILITY
This project marks the commencement of an enduring partnership between two iconic New Zealand brands – Auckland International Airport and Foodstuffs North Island. The aim: to deliver a transformational environment for Foodstuffs North Island store owners, customers, supply partners and employees, while creating a flagship investment.
For Auckland Airport, the development was integral to its long-term strategy to expand its customer base, while maintaining its vision of The Landing being the country’s pre-eminent business park.
And the result? A transformational environment for Foodstuffs staff and visitors alike. Meeting the landscape at its extremities, the expansive curved fascia and soffit combined with a fully glazed facade present a bold, sculpted presence. Terraces are accessed directly from the level-one office space and landscaped paths lead down to the surrounding land.
This striking design, teamed with sustainability and operational efficiency at the forefront, serves to enhance The Landing’s already world-class reputation. The 15ha Landing Drive greenfield development comprises a 8500sqm head office, which sits on 2.8ha, plus a 77,500sqm distribution centre.
Building information modelling was key during the construction phase, and being able to use this technology to assess and plan building tasks meant elements were built once and built right.
From the outset, sustainable practices and renewable solutions were priorities, and integral to balancing project constraints. An integrated base-build and fit-out project, the facility has achieved a Green Star 5 Rating. A Green Star 6 Build Rating is now being worked towards.
The design recognised Foodstuffs’ long-term commitment to the site, so selection of materials had to be robust yet beautiful. All were approved by the Green Star consultant who assessed their contribution to the target rating.
These aspirations illustrate the fundamentals of the relationship between Foodstuffs and Auckland Airport – trust, collaboration and an aligned desire to achieve excellence, says Daniel Byrne, head of property development Auckland International Airport.
A range of sustainability measures were considered and assessed for design impact. This informed decisions related to solar performance, heating and cooling loads, thermal efficiency, rainwater-harvesting capacity, interior lighting levels for wellbeing, energy-saving and planting density.
Rainwater harvested from the building’s roof is used for toilets and all plumbing fixtures are low-flow products. A 6000sqm photovoltaic array was installed on the adjacent distribution centre’s roof, offsetting 100 per cent of the office’s electricity needs.
Above Created to be worker-friendly, the complex is also at the leading edge of architectural and sustainable design.
From an urban design standpoint, all the ingredients necessary for a special building were available for the project – a location within a world-class, master-planned business park; a flat, north-facing site with multiple access points; and unimpeded elevated views over the Oruarangi estuary and reserve.
The architectural vision was clear. The office design pushes the boundaries and reflects the shared vision for a landscape-integrated building that connects Foodstuffs with the land, as growers and producers.
Inside, the building is designed for flexible working practices. Staff – as the most important user group – have conveyed a huge sense of pride in the knowledge that they are working within an environment at the leading edge of sustainable design.
This ambitious project, the owners are delighted to report, was delivered three per cent under budget and four months ahead of schedule. “Auckland Airport Property is committed to sustainable development, not just in the physical built form, but insofar as developing places for businesses and their people to thrive,” says Byrne.
“In Foodstuffs we have a partner who shares these long-term values. The
Above Sweeping curves are repeated in the interior.
Below The outside of the distribution centre. driver for Auckland International Airport was to create a transformational environment for our customer Foodstuffs North Island and their staff, with leading-edge sustainability at the forefront,” he adds.
The plan also benefits the wider community. “The Landing is 150ha in total, 20ha of which will be dedicated to public spaces, with cycle paths and walkways integrated throughout.”
The vision, however, remains singular – for The Landing to be New Zealand’s leading industrial business park. Auckland Airport believes that in addition to top-notch facilities, businesses need a location that offers staff world-class amenity and recreational space.
“Foodstuffs North Island is the latest in a long list of businesses that have seen the value of locating to such an environment,” says Byrne. +
FOODSTUFFS NORTH ISLAND
Landing Drive, The Landing, Ma - ngere, Taa - maki Makaurau Auckland OWNER, DEVELOPER AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION HAWKINS, MACRENNIE COMMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION ARCHITECT MONK MACKENZIE, ECLIPSE ARCHITECTURE SERVICE ENGINEER ECS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BGT STRUCTURES, DAY CONSULTING MECHANICAL ENGINEER ECUBED QUANTITY SURVEYOR RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL PROJECT MANAGER TSA OTHER CONSULTANTS ASSEMBLE (BIM), PROTECH (FIRE PROTECTION)
