The Kathmandu and Vodafone developments in central Christchurch are designing their adjoining headquarters in accordance with the Green Star rating certification.
The achievement of a 5 Green Star certification denotes New Zealand excellence in sustainability, in areas such as energy and water conservation, internal air quality and waste management.
The developments are on Tuam St, and together have a net lettable area of approximately 13, 750sqm.
All areas of energy performance and indoor environment quality are being considered to create energy efficient, healthy and productive spaces.
The cost benefit of energy efficiency measures such as glazing, insulation, lighting and heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems will also be conducted.
Sustainability features include energy efficient lighting, low flow hydraulic fixtures to reduce potable water consumption, water metering and alarmed leak detection to monitor water consumption, sustainably sourced timber, zero ozone depleting refrigerants, cyclist facilities, and dedicated fuel efficient parking and motorbike/moped parking.
Kathmandu COO Mark Todd said that the people of Christchurch have expressed a strong desire for a green, sustainable city, which aligns with the company’s values and commitment to sustainability.
“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.”
Rachel Winder, Vodafone head of property, said that the company is committed to operating more sustainably where it can, demonstrated by their success in the Workplace and Community categories at the Sustainable 60 Awards.
“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.”
“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,” Alex Cutler, New Zealand Green Building Council chief executive, said.
In Christchurch the Forte Health Building has a 4 Green Star certification, and the Christchurch Civic Building is one of only six Green Star buildings in the country.
“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,” Cutler said.
Construction on the Vodafone development has begun, with the construction of the Kathmandu development starting in November.
Completion of both buildings is expected to be March 2016.
