A statement building integrates world-leading sustainability across every square metre.
6 Star Green Star Design rated 50 Albert Street showcases the change we want to see.
Essentials
Name: 50 Albert Street
What: new 17 level building in CBD; 28,000 square metres of lettable area; $650 million project
Tenancy: Spark HQ (6 floors); Spaces, MYOB, Qantas, FNZ, UDC Finance, Milford Asset Management, Mojo
Daily occupancy: approximately 3000 people
Address: 50 Albert Street, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Project Snapshot
Owner: CC Helios Trust Pte. Ltd
Former owner: Mansons TCLM Ltd
Architect: Architectus
Project GSAP: Peter Bryant, SEEC Ltd
Main contractor: Mansons TCLM Construction
Building services engineer: Agile Engineering Consultants
Project status: site purchased (Mansons) 2015; demolition of existing building stock 2021; construction to completion 2021 to 2024; occupation October 2024
Project certification: 6 Star Green Star NZ Office Design v3 rating; the project has achieved the first WELL Core Pre-certification in Aotearoa
COVID-19 may have disrupted the delivery of 50 Albert Street but the end result is an architectural and sustainable dynamo.
“World leadership is not easy to come by and to be able to say 50 Albert Street has achieved that is a great thing,” says Mansons TCLM project manager, Paul Wilkinson.
The company has been dedicated to sustainable building and occupancy wellness for more than a decade – 50 Albert St showcases its strong position in the marketplace.
“We take immense pride in our previous and current projects that have achieved Green Star certification. We strongly believe in continuing this trend we can point to a track record that’s very attractive to new tenants and purchasers.”
Mansons’ sale of the property in 2022 to global investment fund, CC Helios Trust Pte. Ltd, is a case in point.
The building’s dynamic green narrative and sustainability credentials played a significant part in attracting its buyer and is a key component for its new owner.
But the development of this state-of-the-art green offering in Tāmaki Makaurau’s inner cityscape wasn’t without obstacles.
Two adjoining developments underway in close proximity to the project - City Rail Link along Albert St, and a hotel development (beside) - posed a physical challenge.
The geography of the site added further complexity - two street frontages with a 10 metre gradient difference between each.
“One could describe 50 Albert Street as contextual architecture - a process in which a structure is designed in response to its specific urban and natural environment,” says Architectus principal architect, Severin Soder.
While the mass of the building is articulated in three slender towers, a four-storey podium (comprising 210 car parks, electric car and bike charging points, end of trip facilities and a service centre) negotiates the level difference between frontages.
A generous ground floor lobby with a curved staircase, 12 levels of workspaces above and a breakout recessed terrace floor featuring a balcony with greenery are part of the mix.
Reacting to its setting and sustainability, the building’s high performance envelope features elegant ‘stacked’ aluminium façade panels with triangular folds.
The striking arrangement balances transparency and opaqueness - while contributing to a high-comfort internal environment for occupants and reduced operational carbon.
“Sustainability is multi-faceted with the completed building being more than the sum of its parts – which aligns with Green Star’s holistic assessment across sustainable aspects,” says Severin.
Given the building’s 2000 square metre floorplates and close neighbours – the delivery of good day light and external views was a key consideration.
The problem was resolved with extra high floor to floor heights and stepped ceiling perimeter junctions to maximise daylight penetration.
“We think 50 Albert Street fits well into the CBD, enhances its immediate surroundings and provides an exceptional workplace for its occupants,” says Severin.
“The high sustainability credentials have been effortlessly integrated throughout.
The large and flexible floorplates, side core circulation and generous storey heights will enable the building to accommodate changing tenant requirements and in doing so a long lifespan - which is truly sustainable.”
Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP) Peter Bryant says 50 Albert Street expresses the green change wanted in the commercial sector.
“Working with a committed client on this project which spanned the pandemic and to achieve this outstanding result, has been particularly rewarding.”
Paul Wilkinson says during the project Mansons’ assisted a number of its regular subcontractors to improve their production practices to align with its own sustainable approach to construction.
He says the prefabrication of most structural and façade elements allowed for effective ‘stockpiling’ of procured product which could be delivered to site in large quantities and installed immediately – aiding the construction process and reducing material waste.
“We believe 50 Albert Street is inspirational – it goes a long way to establishing a new benchmark within commercial buildings.”
Green features include:
high quality indoor environmental performance - increased outdoor air rates, good quality daylight, well-designed acoustics; healthy, productive workspaces
mechanical system features CO2 control reducing heat and cooling loads
efficient lighting system; provides users with appropriate exposure to light for maintaining circadian health
high-performance double-glazed curtain wall system
façade/ building services designed to achieve low levels of ambient noise
PV solar power generation (93kWp)
low-flow water fittings - 31 percent potable water use reduction
rainwater harvesting system; serving WCs/irrigation
energy efficient regenerative breaking lifts in main building
Innovative aspects include:
sustainability briefing for contractors
learning resources to enhance knowledge of the building’s key green features and real time performance
post occupancy survey commissioned to drive improvements