New Zealand’s highest Green Star-rated building

Beca's structural analysis unlocked an ambitious transformation of the University of Auckland’s 1970s Social Sciences building, B201.

Our approach demonstrates market leadership in the adaptive reuse of a major building. Repurposing the existing structure reduced construction by six months, and was the most feasible route to creating a highly adaptable, educational environment – the highest scoring 6-Star Green Star building in New Zealand to-date.

The heavy, deteriorating concrete façade was replaced with an airtight, lightweight curtain-wall façade. This unlocked new access routes through the shear-walls, allowed the plant to be located on the roof, and created space for the spectacular new atrium.

The high-performance curtain wall minimises heat gain, and is a key part of the ‘Passive House’ air-tightness approach, which enables an ultra-low energy mechanical ventilation system.

A world-leading two-stage heat-pump system provides 100% electric heating and cooling to the adaptive reuse building, but also two buildings that were serviced from B201 but were not part of the redevelopment. This allowed their existing radiators to become 100% electric, elegantly decarbonising the initial campus heating ‘problem’. 

Hybrid use of high performance, low carbon materials maximises their respective attributes: steel for long spans, carbon fibre for strengthening, and lightweight timber flooring, all showcased in the naturally-ventilated atrium’s timber and steel structure – the centrepiece of this ambitious adaptive-reuse development.

Awards

• 2024 Property Council New Zealand Property Industry Awards - Resene Sustainable Building Property Award, Best in Category 

• 2024 Property Council New Zealand Property Industry Awards – Colliers Project Leaders Education Property Award, Excellence 

• 2024 Property Council New Zealand Property Industry Awards Naylor Love Heritage & Adaptive Reuses Property Award, Excellence