Vodafone and Kathmandu target 5 Green Star in Christchurch

Two major developments in central Christchurch are targeting a 5 Green Star certification – denoting ‘New Zealand excellence’ in sustainability.

The Vodafone and Kathmandu headquarters in Tuam Street are both being designed in accordance with the Green Star rating tool – an independent certification of features such as energy and water conservation, internal air quality and waste management.

The two sites are next to each other with a combined net lettable area of approx 13,750 sq m.

Vodafone Head of Property, Rachel Winder, says committing to a sustainable headquarters in Christchurch was a natural fit for the company. “We recently won two sustainability awards for the Workplace and Community categories at the Sustainable 60 Awards, and we’re committed to operating more sustainably, wherever we can. Our properties make up a significant part of our environmental footprint nation-wide, so our new Christchurch headquarters gives us the chance to not only lower our impact, but create a positive, inspiring and healthy building to work in – a workplace of the future in every sense.”

Mark Todd, COO of Kathmandu said the company's values and commitment to sustainability are well aligned with Christchurch residents. “The people of Christchurch have expressed a strong desire for a green, sustainable city and we are committed to help make that happen. It’s a win-win for everyone - we will get a high quality, efficient building that inspires our creative team while our home city has an innovative organisation committed to sustainability moving into a precinct that is key to the CBD rejuvenation."

Alex Cutler, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Green Building Council, said Green Star provided certainty that the buildings were achieving high standards of environmental features.

“Kathmandu and Vodafone will both reap the benefits of a space that enhances staff wellbeing and productivity, and costs less to run and maintain. These will be wonderful buildings that really embody Christchurch’s vision for its future. The value of Green Star is that it’s an internationally recognised, independent certification of sustainability – delivering better asset value for owners and better performance for tenants. The rigour of Green Star provides a guarantee – without it, you may have a shopping list of green features - but there’s no independent verification of what has actually been achieved.”

Studio D4 is the development manager of both projects. The architects are Jasmax for the Vodafone building and Aqua architecture for the Kathmandu building. The environmental consultancy SEEC is providing Green Star professional services on both projects.

5 Green Star is the highest environmental rating targeted to date among new projects in the Christchurch reconstruction. The Forte Health Building, opened in February, is certified as 4 Green Star. Christchurch also boasts one of New Zealand’s highest rated buildings (the Christchurch Civic Building, opened in 2010, is one of only three 6 Green Star buildings throughout the country).

About the buildings

Vodafone: 213-221 Tuam St. Net Lettable Area 9,250sqm
Kathmandu: 223-231 Tuam St. Net Lettable Area 4,500sqm

Both buildings’ energy performance and indoor environment quality are being carefully considered to ensure energy efficient, healthy and productive spaces. Energy modelling is being undertaken to assess the cost benefit of energy efficiency measures such as glazing, insulation, lighting and HVAC (heating, air conditioning and ventilation) systems. Specific sustainability features include:
Fresh air is supplied at a rate 50% higher than NZ Building Code to promote a healthy indoor environment
The buildings will be tuned for 12 months following completion to ensure building systems perform to their design potential
Energy efficient lighting – including occupancy sensors
Low flow hydraulic fixtures to reduce potable water consumption
Water metering and alarmed leak detection to ensure water consumption is effectively managed.
Low VOC materials are specified throughout to reduce the impact on occupant health from products that emit pollutants
Sustainably sourced (FSC) timber
Zero ozone depleting refrigerants
Cyclist facilities provided for 10% of building staff
Dedicated fuel efficient parking and motorbike/moped parking
Construction of the Vodafone building has started and the Kathmandu building construction will start this month, with both buildings projected to be completed in March 2016.

ENDS

© Scoop Media