This award is based on the environmental features of the design and will only be awarded if deserved. It recognises the relationship our man-made buildings have with the environment and responsibility we have as an industry.
Foster Group
BCD Group Ltd (Engineer), Foster Construction (Construction Company), Jasmax (Architect/Designer)
Profile Group Ltd
This industrial plant includes a 50,000sqm state-of-the-art glass factory, other manufacturing facilities, offices, and a two-story commercial kitchen. Measuring 437m long, the facility was the largest construction project undertaken in New Zealand between 2019 and 2021. Due to the sheer scale of the project, site manoeuvrability and management was challenging and needed careful management. Over 2,000 individuals worked on the project, with up to 400 people on-site at a time. The COVID lockdowns and accompanying supply chain disruption affected the build’s cost structure and timeline, but all trades collaborated to ensure the project was delivered on time and in-budget. Gaining 5-star Green Star certification, this project was designed and built to meet strict criteria. Standout sustainability aspects include 90% of construction waste being diverted from landfill, onsite ponds collecting water from the roof to be re-used, skylights reducing the need for artificial lighting, and timber being used to replace concrete where possible.
Sustainability was a major focus throughout this build, gaining a 5-star Green Star certification. Standout sustainability aspects included 90% of construction waste being diverted from landfill, collection and re-use of roof water, skylights reducing the need for artificial lighting, and timber replacing concrete where possible. With 20% of the site dedicated to wetland and riparian planting, enhanced ecology and water sensitive design principles were used to replicate natural water systems and recharge the wetlands basin. Collecting three million litres of water run-off annually, provides water for fire-fighting storage, toilets, and irrigation. To maximise natural light throughout the offices and a factory floor the size of six rugby fields – the building features 5,400 square metres of skylights, used to reduce the energy consumption from artificial lighting. Staged construction allowed the factory the luxury to “glaze itself”. With over 1500 insulated glass units that’s a significant reduction in carbon associated with transportation. The longest journey from raw glass to finished and installed unit was 900m, with the shortest distance being 90m.