Green agenda build by Watts & Hughes, cladding by Insite Facades

When a new building wins a New Zealand Institute of Architects award and achieves a 4-Star Green Star commercial rating the first in the district it reflects well on all parties involved.

Sharpac Properties owns the high-profile building, with Tauranga's oldest law firm Sharp Tudhope Lawyers as principal tenants. The sustainable, award-winning design was by Jasmax, with Matrixx Consultants as contract architects. Watts & Hughes Construction was the main contractor, delivering the concrete, carpentry and ceiling components, and co-ordinating and project managing the other trades, says W&H director Mark Gutry.

"The levels 3 and 4 fit-outs also undertaken by us received a 4-Star built rating," says Gutry. "The entire project was completed to budget, with significant savings made by introducing Litecrete. The pumice in this product allowed larger-format panels and transportation savings.

"As a Green Star-rated project, we had to comply with the New Zealand Green Building Company rating scheme and this required a site-specific Environmental Management Plan (EMP). As a result, we recycled more than 75% of normal site waste."

Significant build elements that contributed to the high Green Star rating included use of low VOC materials, advanced services and rain water collection systems and an energy-efficient facade.

Insite Facades supplied and installed the Faveton ceramic Bersal tiles, in colour BS07, which give the building its distinctive organic aesthetic, says director Jonathan Calder.

"The main challenge was to achieve the architectural precision required. The use of the Mage aluminium structure cavity system enabled variable facade cavity depths to incorporate plumbing and electrical services while providing a flat facade outcome."

Insite Facades is a specialist facade installation company that, together with Insite Aluminium, has delivered a complete facade installation on many commercial, architecturally significant projects.

Contact Watts & Hughes Construction, phone (07) 547 4074. Web: www.whconstruction.co.nz. For more on Insite Facades, phone Jonathan Calder on 021 950 704. Web: www.insitefacades.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas