Generator’s fitout at 40 Bowen Street showcases what the best green workspaces can be. Awarded a 5 Green Star interiors rating, this dynamic work zone reflects Generator’s commitment to sustainability, care for the environment and ESG metrics.
Essentials
Name: Generator Bowen Campus
Where: 40 Bowen Street, Wellington – within the landmark mixed-use precinct Bowen Campus adjacent to the Beehive
Who: Generator is Aotearoa’s leading flexible workspace provider; offers premium shared and co-working space options; seven sites across Auckland and Wellington (the majority Green Star or NABERSNZ rated); owned by Precinct Properties
What: 3112 square metres across the ground and first floors; 30 per cent of the total building space; includes workspaces, meeting and event rooms, wellness spaces, a parents room, prayer room, and EOT amenities; the Generator fit out is included in the building’s shared atrium for continuity of a collaborative and lively arrival experience
Where: 40 Bowen Street, Wellington
Occupancy: average of 450 people
Project Snapshot
Fit out owner: Generator
Fit out architect: Warren and Mahoney
Main contractor: LT McGuinness Limited
GSAP: Patrick Arnold
Project status: fit-out construction integrated into building construction – completion October 2022
Project certification: 5 Green Star - Office Interiors v3 rating (August 2023)
A botanical oasis of social collaboration and focussed work is the vibe at 5 Green Star Interiors rated Generator Bowen Campus.
Featuring elevated garden beds, hanging plants and tactile materiality it’s a space which says occupancy experience is number one.
With significant natural light, low noise levels, and a sense of openness and peacefulness, Generator Bowen Campus articulates the benefits of a 5 Green Star workspace setting.
Generator general manager, Lauren Joyce, says sustainability isn't just a checkbox - it is a core value underpinning everything the smart-tech workspace provider does.
“Green Star aligns perfectly with our vision. Across the Precinct and Generator businesses there’s a strong belief that sustainable thinking is essential for a brighter future and what is worth building is worth keeping.”
“Achieving our 5 Green Star rating at Generator Bowen Campus is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to these values,” she says.
Lauren says from a project aspiration and process assistance perspective the base build Green Star target at 40 Bowen Street propelled Generator’s fitout journey.
“As an integrated project, the team culture has been all about achieving a highly sustainable outcome.”
She says the 5 Green Star rating for Generator Bowen Campus is “incredibly beneficial” in a competitive marketplace which includes the pull of WFH (working from home).
“A high Green Star rating is becoming increasingly vital in our sector. Flexible high-end workspaces are now recognised as a more sustainable alternative to a traditional office lease because of reduced energy consumption, optimised space utilisation, waste reduction (fit-out reuse) and a shared community culture of sustainable behaviours.”
“A Green Star certification serves as a beacon of transparency for our prospective clients – it reassures them of our dedication to sustainable design and build practices.”
She says in a market where greenwashing exists, having a Green Star rating reinforces Generator’s position as an environmentally-conscious operator.
Lauren says Generator is seeing increased demand from businesses with an ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) focus wanting office space that assists them in meeting their ESG considerations.
“Larger multinational and enterprise clients now prioritise sustainability when choosing workspace providers. A Green Star accreditation is attractive to these businesses and has helped us gain customers.”
Warren and Mahoney associate architect, Matt Reid, says the sustainable design of 40 Bowen provided a strong foundation to build on when setting the vision for Generator Bowen Campus.
He says the design of the Generator fit-out is influenced by place and draws reference from its immediate context - the pristine parliamentary grounds, native flora and fauna of the botanical gardens and nearby Tinakori Hill.
“With close to 300 plants throughout it resembles an urban greenhouse with its design capturing diverse texture and planting, moments of intense colour and relief, density and openness. The workspace guides its occupants along a garden path style experience to working, meeting and hospitality destinations.”
Meeting and working spaces are positioned against the perimeter of the building, wrapped around its central core, gaining valuable access to natural light.
Low noise design from both the building services and the overall building increases occupancy comfort.
Matt says longevity has been a key focus with future flexibility for office layouts made possible via a series of bulkheads constructed above the ceiling line – allowing new partitions without compromising in-ceiling services and minimising future construction work.
Project GSAP, Patrick Arnold, says Generator Bowen Campus is a great example of a highly sustainable building nurturing a high-level sustainable fitout.
“For example, the highly quality base build mechanical, metering and lighting systems along with water efficient fittings contributed to points achieved within Generator’s interiors rating across its two floors in the building.”
This is in line with Precinct’s strategy of ensuring a strong base building foundation for future Clients to achieve their sustainability objectives with the ever expanding Green Star rated premium office Portfolio.
Generator general manager, Lauren Joyce, says preliminary energy data indicates the amenities are using between 30 to 40 per cent less electricity than its other sites not located in Green Star rated buildings.
Low energy consumption is one of a long list of positives at Generator Bowen Campus.
Lauren says the 5 Green Star fit-out is uplifting occupancy health, mood, productivity, engagement, retention and pride.
Generator Bowen Campus client, David McLellan, CEO and founder of Jooules Ltd, says the facilities are perfect for growing his team. “It's truly a fantastic workspace with great natural light and loads of luscious plants. The Generator team always go the extra mile to support us. We love working here.”
Green and technical features include:
- sustainable materials and products; points achieved for environmental and health accreditation of ceilings, flooring, paints, furniture, timber and engineered wood products.
- energy and water efficient appliances and tapware.
- over 90% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.
- over 95% of lighting zones are below 100m2 allowing for lighting efficiency.
- Renewable energy certificates purchased for 100% of electricity consumption
- low energy consumption computers and monitors.
- low energy consumption for process loads.
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Photogrpahy by Jason Mann.