Photos by Incredible Images
The Auckland Rail Operations Centre is architectural, efficient and enduring. Its 5 Green Star rating confirms its sustainability X factor.
Essentials
Name: AROC - Auckland Rail Operations Centre
What: Three-level purpose-built integrated rail management centre
Backstory: Initiated by KiwiRail in partnership with Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail; combines all operational rail management teams in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at one site for the first time
Purpose: Monitors the order of trains, separation distances and routes: A sister facility to the National Train Control Centre in Pōneke Wellington
Daily occupancy: Approximately 100 people; capacity for additional staff
Location: Central Park, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Project Snapshot
Owner: CP Auckland LP – a joint venture between Oyster Property Group and global investment firm KKR
Backstory: CP Auckland LP developed AROC in partnership with KiwiRail as a pre-committed tenant (25 year lease)
Location: Central Park is a premium mixed-use precinct situated in Greenlane, Auckland
Architect: JCY Architects
Project GSAP: NDY
Main contractor: Macrennie Construction
Project status: Constructed June 2022 to December 2023; occupancy from March 2024
Project certification: 5 Green Star Design & As Built NZv1.0 Built Rating (October 2024); 5 star NABERSNZ base build rating (pending)
For those at the Auckland Rail Operations Centre, their mission is to support smarter public transport and a greener city. So it’s only fitting that their Auckland office supports that Kaupapa.
“This innovative facility supports an efficient train network which will ultimately enable more people to opt to use reliable public transport, help alleviate road congestion and reduces carbon emmissions,” says Oyster Property Group Head of Development, Mark Hitchcock.
The building comprises a main control room equipped with train controller workstations, offices, training spaces, an incident room, back-up utilities and end-of-trip facilities.
Hitchcock says collaborative team mahi allowed for ‘a step change’ in sustainability during AROC’s design evolution, which secured a 5 Green Star Design & As Built NZv1.0 Built Rating while maintaining a focus on commercial viability.
“The Green Star rating demonstrates the shared sustainable aspirations of KiwiRail and Oyster Property Group. The rating system is well recognised and covers a range of attributes ensuring the design, built form and end operation of the building perform efficiently with a strong sustainable conscience,” says Mark.
BIM technology, including creating an ‘As Built’ digital twin, was central to the project, propelling highly efficient facilities management outcomes.
“One key benefit of our rating is the As Built aspect verifies the delivered end outcome. So not just a design rating that may or may not have been taken through to final form and efficient operation.”
JCY architect, Matthew Pratt, says the design team wanted to deliver “a special environment speaking to the important nature and function of AROC’s activity without being purely utilitarian and minimalist.”
It was vital the workplace reflected the mana whenua of its place and people.
Māori motifs enhance its interior referencing the natural environment while artistic symbols of the land, sea and sky are reflected in surfaces, materials and colours.
“AROC is about a nationwide fundamental business – what could have been a purely performance-based workplace is instead elevating, invigorating and offers a proud sense of belonging,” says Matthew.
In the top floor control room a pitched roof creates a cathedral volume of internal space – driving high quality acoustics and enhancing work area.
Green Star drove innovation around air conditioning and ventilation system energy efficiency “leading to careful consideration around the size, volume, placement and orientation of windows and glazing to enhance natural light and heat across the year.”
Sunlight is controlled by supplementary louvres on the facades to regulate solar gain, while higher than code insulation in areas like the roof and walls aim to support energy efficiency efforts.
“The recovery cost savings of which are part of a long term cost and return financial equation for the building as opposed to an analysis on day one with little concern for lifespan costs.”
AROC’s impressive green features include:
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High performance façade building materials - limiting the potential for failure or wear and tear/ environmental weather damage to the building’s envelope
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Ducted ventilation responding more specifically to the volume and supply zones of fresh air in internal spaces
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Acoustic attenuation above and beyond the norm – enhancing the internal environment for occupants
A duplication of systems and backup (across power, data and communications) to ensure the building continues in the face of a natural disaster or infrastructure power outages
Macrennie Construction project manager, Ben Wrigley, says project was ‘services heavy’ involving:
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Complex ground works (basalt rock and adjacent building foundations)
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An IL3 structure for seismic resilience (considerably stronger than a standard commercial office building)
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High level co-ordination of IT data cabling
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Integrated commissioning
Mark Hitchcock’s advice for developers considering Green Star for the first time is succinct.
“Commit early. The biggest influence can be made at the start of design.”
That early commitment by AROC’s stakeholders translates into gold standard sustainability.
KiwiRail project director, Carl Mills, says the outcome has thrilled all parties.
“The end result has been an excellent control room workspace that staff have rated very highly. We and our transport partners are delighted with the result”.
Green features include:
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Re-use of land (former carpark)
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LCA completed
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96.5 % of construction/demolition waste diverted from landfill
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Outdoor air provided at a rate 50% greater than recognized standards
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Sensor lighting control
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Predicted peak energy demand reduction of 66% compared to a standard building
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Predicted energy consumption reduction of 20% compared to a standard building
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Predicted reduction of GHG emissions of 75% compared to a standard building
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At least 80% of the building’s gross floor area is covered by a commitment to set measure and report on its environmental performance