We re-purposed a giant retail outlet into a world leading 6 Star NZGBC Green Star certified manufacturing and design hub for Thermosash Auckland's operations.
Overview
Our Auckland HQ reuse project was named Kererū (in line with our logo bird motif). The project involved the transformation of the former Nido building — a giant purpose-built 27,000m² commercial structure designed for a single retail tenant — into a manufacturing and design hub that would house Thermosash’s Auckland operations for the next 50 years.
For eight years Thermosash Auckland had been operating out of two separate premises, with manufacturing and offices on each site - the new large premises would enable everyone to be under one roof again.
The project was completed in 2023, 50 years after Thermosash was founded in 1973. Which resulted in a double celebration for Thermosash Auckland.
Because we offer highly sustainable facade solutions to our clients, we intended to 'walk the talk' with our own new premises and therefore put the focus on developing responsible sustainable methodologies and processes which we could implement during the project and also carry through into the operation of our HQ.
Achieved Certifications
- 6 Green Star Design and As-Built NZ v1.0 certification by NZGBC - representing world leadership.
- Certified Gold Airscore AirRating for the internal environment measuring occupational CO2, PM2.5, TVOCs, relative humidity and temperature. Only the second building in New Zealand to receive this rating.
- Toitū Envirocare Carbon Reduce certification. Financial Year 2021-2022.
Carbon Savings
- 95% of the building façade and 95% of the existing structure was reused along with a proportion of the building's services. Adaptive reuse of the building has saved approximately 7000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of upfront embodied carbon compared to a new reference industrial building.
- Greenhouse gas emissions from the base building are predicted to be reduced by 70% compared to a reference industrial building using a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation - usage excludes factory and office equipment loads.
- The building is predicted to save 15,000 tonnes of operational carbon emissions over its typical 50-year
building life cycle compared to a reference industrial building. - Including upfront and operational carbon emission savings the total savings over the 50-year building life compared to a new reference industrial building are predicted to be
22,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Responsible Re-purposing
The energy efficient building’s 220kW photovoltaic (PV) array is predicted to generate 54% of the base building electricity usage - excludes factory and office equipment loads.
The new factory is fitted with globally sourced state of the art production machinery providing world-class efficient manufacturing. We use low-carbon aluminium sourced locally in NZ from a remelt facility that uses recycled aluminium and a renewable electricity grid - providing us with the lowest embodied carbon high-quality aluminium extrusions readily available.
The existing car parks were significantly reduced and converted to yard space. 15% of preferential car parking spaces (equivalent to 25 spaces) are reserved for fuel efficient vehicle, including 2 EV charging bays.
- The building uses 64% less water than a reference industrial building and includes low flow water fixtures and rainwater harvesting.
- 95% of furniture for existing premises was reused and/ or donated, the remaining unwanted furniture &
partitioning was collected by JunkRun (sustainably operated). - 92% low VOC paints adhesives and sealants.
- 95% use of FSC Timber
- 96% diversion rate from landfill was achieved for the demolition and construction waste generated. The
industry standard is 70%.
Site Location
With close and easy access to the motorway for fuel efficiency, the North-Western Cycleway, as well as the Lincoln Bus Interchange, multiple transport options are assured. The HQ has end of trip facilities and indoor cycling racks for the convenience of staff who cycle to work, and local amenities can be accessed on foot contributing to the convenience of the location.
Unique Opportunity
Project Kererū was a unique opportunity to re-purpose rather than build new - turning a legacy commercial building into a high-performing, sustainable production facility is no small task. It required adaptability, technical skill, real-time problem-solving and a committed collaborative team spirit.
Our world leadership in our own adaptive reuse project underscores our commitment to delivering sustainable building envelope solutions for every project we undertake.
To find out more
contact Thermosash.