Light touch drives industry-leading transformation

A seismic upgrade was the catalyst to transform this 1980s Wellington office block into an efficient, sustainable showpiece – and one of the most cost-effective 5* Green Star buildings in New Zealand.

Located in the heart of Wellington’s CBD, 22 The Terrace is proof that older office towers can demonstrate market-leading green credentials with some smart design and clever thinking. 

Challenged to deliver a highly sustainable retrofit with a build period of just over a year, structural upgrades have brought the building up to 100%NBS, with the building now ready for the next 50 years.  

Furthermore, sustainable features incorporated into the building are the envy of many new-builds and appropriate to its location in Wellington’s commercial heart. They include:

• rainwater harvesting – particularly valuable given the pressure on water supply in central Wellington
• a high-performance film applied to the existing single-glazing and the existing envelope insulated, which transformed the comfort for the building’s users, while simplifying the construction programme
• upcycling the building’s existing fabric – from the main structure and façade to stair handrails and hydraulic systems
• replacing the gas boiler for a modern efficient plant that contributes to an estimated 70% reduction in operational carbon against the Building Code
• deployment of Beca’s BTune service to identify further energy reductions and help achieve a 5* NABERSNZ rating once the tenants returned.

Our project team also had to negotiate a wide-range of challenges – from the lockdowns and supply-chain constraints of the pandemic, through to updates to the Green Star tool, while delivering a culture change for how the building operates – significantly complicated by the wide range of tenants.

A worthy recipient of several industry awards, 22 The Terrace has set a precedent – that sustainable, low carbon, modern office space can be achieved at an attractive price point, and that a light touch can have a transformative impact.

Awards:

• 2021 Property Council New Zealand - Wellington Property People Awards:
  • Excellence in Sustainability Award
• 2022 Property Council New Zealand - Property Industry Awards:
  • Excellence – Commercial Office
  • Excellence – Green Building