A world-class office building focused on sustainability

Green Star ratings are becoming more sought after in New Zealand, with one Wellington building achieving the highest possible score and being recognised for its green construction

Originally built in the 1980s, Argosy Property’s 8 Willis Street - Steward Dawson Corner has been honoured with a Highly Commended award at the World Green Building Council’s Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Buildings Awards.

“We are thrilled to receive this international recognition for 8 Willis Street,” says Peter Mence, CEO of Argosy property Limited. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and all involved in the project, and to our commitment to creating sustainable, high-performance buildings that benefit both the environment and the community.”

With many local accolades already under its belt, including the Property Council Property Industry Awards’ 2024 Supreme Award, this latest commendation places the central Wellington office among an elite selection of buildings worldwide that are leading the way when it comes to low carbon sustainable design and performance.

How did it achieve this?

Rather than facing demolition, the building underwent a deep retrofit to ensure it met the latest seismic requirements, while delivering a world-class space. By preserving the building’s structure, the project was able to massively reduce its emissions while embedding state-of-the-art electrification and efficiency, water conservation and rainwater storage, and an impressive indoor environmental quality for its occupants – all contributing to the building being awarded Wellington’s first 6 Green Star Built rating by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC).

“We tend to say a 5 Star Green Star rating – the highest rating possible – indicates world-leadership in green building. Argosy now has an impressive accolade to back that up. Being recognised next to some awe-inspiring projects throughout Asia Pacific is a triumph and will no doubt inspire future developments to reach for the stars,” says Andrew Eagles, NZGBC Chief Executive.

As well as maintaining the old building structure, 8 Willis Street’s innovative design incorporates a range of sustainable features including advanced energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting and extensive use of recycled and locally-sourced materials. The building also offers a healthy and productive environment for its occupants, with abundant natural light, excellent air quality and flexible workspaces designed to enhance wellbeing and productivity.