Port Taranaki

Builder: Cleland’s Construction
Architect: Ian Pritchard & ProArch Design
Year: 2009

Well known during construction as “Project Greenhouse” the new Port Taranaki Centre office development sets many precedents in Taranaki for quality commercial premises. It was specifically designed and constructed to achieve a sustainable, healthy and comfortable environment for its occupants and visitors. The New Zealand Green Building Council recently awarded a five star rating to the development, confirming the sustainable design and its importance to the built environment. The initiatives taken to gain this special status include:

• Solar water heating
• Low energy, high frequency fluorescent lighting
• Intelligent air conditioning
• Rainwater harvesting for urinal and toilet flushing
• Water restrictors to plumbing fittings
• Double glazed solar glass windows and doors
• Low leakage, openable windows to allow mixed mode operation with air conditioning
• Emergency generator for essential services
• Projectile shading for the external glass facades
• Dense concrete precast panels with an insulated core and concrete floors act as a heat sink
• Special acoustic baffles and treatments to internal spaces
• Low volatile organic compounds and PVC in building materials
• Carpet manufactured from recycled materials
• Basalt stone floor tiles
• Building materials and products selection based on resource efficiency, recyclability, and durability
• Built in accordance with the REBRI Guide construction waste reduction – a 78% total construction waste recycling was achieved
• Recycling facilities
• Secure storage for bicycles
• Fully equipped gymnasium
• Comprehensive shower, changing and toilet facilities
• Extensive landscaping areas with plants that are native and endemic to this area
• A rain garden to act as a vegetative filter for stormwater runoff
  The area in which the building is located is of historical significance, in particular to the Ngati Ti Whiti hapu. In the foyer, the reception desk was designed to showcase a display of stones that were unearthed during excavations for foundations.

ICE Electrical Solutions also took on the responsibility of all mechanical services, data & phone, security, CCTV and emergency back up generator systems working with specialist sub contractors to provide an Integrated Electrical Solution.