Wellington AOG Accommodation

Creating a modern hybrid workplace was the project key driver with the design focusing on the connection to the land and environment as well as the cultural connection of the site. The design goes beyond functionality by infusing cultural references, historical artifacts, and deliberate design choices.

In the 1850's, the site was known as Clay Point/Kai Upoko, a headland on the foreshore of Wellington Harbour at the southern end of Lambton Quay. This connection to the land and early Wellington served as the inspiration for the design, materials and colour selections. 

The fit out was designed to achieve a 5 GreenStar certification, and aimed for points approaching 6 GreenStar. Selecting indigenous New Zealand rimu veneer and sustainably sourced materials to utilising ecofriendly wool upholstery, environmentally conscious choices were prioritised at every turn. LVL supporting beams and timber framing—usually residential structural elements, not typically utilised in commercial—were used in place of steel posts or studs, as well as using lumber on levels 1 and 2, all supplied from New Zealand. The LVL beams were utilised to get GreenStar engineered wood product credit. SaveBOARD panels made of recycled plastic were used to clad the curved walls, which express a natural, organic form and accomplish a tighter radius than Gib.

The design celebrated the heritage features of the building, taking advantage of the ceiling height, exposing the beams as well as the ceiling services with the fitout contrasting this with a set of self-contained structures: unique ‘rooms with rooms’ concept with no obvious connections to the structure above. This reinforces the concept that the floor is the land, and the ceiling space is the sky, and the walls behind are Clay Point, and intertwines more of Aotearoa's history into every detail.

Our Project managers were instrumental in delivering this project on time and to budget. Working with our inhouse construction managers and carrying out early engagement of subcontractors meant that the buildability and detailing was addressed early to minimise on site queries. Health and safety was considered every step of the way, for everybody involved from start to finish. Health and safety meetings were held each week and included specific training, and monthly, contractors would also partake in a wellbeing and catch up sessions. Our inhouse Greenstar experts set expectations with the contractors right from the outset to ensure smooth delivery of this Greenstar project.  

• Project team

• Montana Barker,

• Drew Blair,

• Ryan Swart,

• Sarah Courtney,

• Laura Becker,

• Xin Jiang,