Tonkin + Taylor has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star Interiors rating for its stunning Pōneke Wellington workspace.
Success follows success, with the consultancy already achieving a 6 Star rating for its Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland office.
Essentials
What: Tonkin + Taylor office fitout
Where: Victoria Lane Office Campus, 161 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Pōneke Wellington
Details: Level 3; 1103m2 workspace
The building: 5 Green Star NZ Office Built v3 rated (April 2024); commercial and retail tenancies - ground floor and levels 1 to 3; podium structure for Victoria Lane Apartments building
Office occupancy: Average daily occupancy 60 people; capacity for 100 +
Project Snapshot
Building owner: PMG Funds
Architect: Unispace
Project manager: Unispace
Main contractor: Unispace
Project GSAP: Patrick Stone, TM Consultants
Service engineer: NDY
Project status: Design concept to completion - 10 months; November 2022 to August 2023
Project certification: 6 Star Green Star Interiors NZ v1.1 (November 2024)
When Tonkin + Taylor outgrew its office space, and its tenancy building was earmarked for earthquake strengthening - circumstances dictated a move.
The company’s new premises, located in a striking angular glassed form in a high-profile central city streetscape, provides a leading example of occupancy well-being, lower impact on the planet and Tonkin + Taylor’s’s sharp focus on sustainability.
“Tonkin + Taylor has a strategy pathway focusing on our purpose ‘Together we create and sustain a better world’. Green Star certification is one way of demonstrating that commitment. We’re really proud to work for an employer who actively walks the talk of its values,” says Tonkin + Taylor Environmental Consultant, Hannah Kelly.
Those values in action include:
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Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland office - 6 Green Star Interiors rating (2022)
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Pōneke Wellington office – 6 Green Star Interiors rating (2024)
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Ōtautahi Christchurch office – final stages of preparation, targeting a 6 Green Star rating
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6 Green Star fitout target for all new builds (where possible)
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Highly sustainable procurement policy
Hannah says Tonkin + Taylor was attracted to a tenancy at Victoria Lane Office Campus by the building’s sustainable credentials, earthquake resilience, EV charging services and end of trip facilities promoting active transport.
Like their Auckland project, input from the team on the ground in Wellington shaped their decisions.
The team behind the successful certification of the Auckland office – Tonkin + Taylor, Unispace, and GSAP Patrick Stone – also propelled the Wellington result.
Commitment, great communication, a one-team mentality, well-defined roles and efficient processes were part of the 6 Green Star magic.
Unispace designer, Antony Walton, says Tonkin + Taylor’s brand, values and connection to the environment were starting blocks for the fitout, while the Wellington landscape provided inspiration for its colour palette and materials.
“The fitout is honest, modern, clean, light, and open. It balances collaborative areas with quiet focus zones. A large social breakout area with spaces to interact and host gatherings promotes connections and a positive culture.”
Daylight and views from workstations were essential given the deep floorplate. 63% of the office receives high levels of daylight and 88% have good access to views.
“The outcome is a healthy and functional environment promoting comfort and wellbeing while being a productive, collaborative and enjoyable space which supports staff to do their best work.”
Unispace construction project manager, Martyn Yuile says challenges included:
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Green Star education - “Achieving a 6 Green Star interiors fitout in Wellington is relatively new. A lot of trades hadn’t worked on a Green Star project - it took time to educate people and ensure the use of pre-approved products.”
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Making sure products used in the manufacture of all big-scale prefabricated items - joinery substrates, support elements and solid timber components - met Green Star standards.
“It’s been great to play a part in one of Wellington’s most sustainable workplaces. The upskilling of tradespeople on the job will benefit the wider industry as lessons are taken onto new sites,” he says.
GSAP Patrick Stone says Tonkin + Taylor is signposting the future of best practice workspaces in Aotearoa.
“What a challenge to the industry! One of the prominent environmental consulting companies is practising what it preaches. They get sustainability and they’re leading the charge with their policy on 6 Green Star office fitouts.”
Highlights include:
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Central city location in a 5 Green Star building with views/occupancy accessibility
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Energy use and performance – metering and tuning ensure the fitout is operating efficiently and at its best, enhancing occupancy comfort
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Indoor air quality and high-quality materials - low VOC paints, low emitting materials, high performing mechanical ventilation and plants – a recipe for high-quality air, and essential for wellness and productivity
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High acoustics standards across the fitout, including multiple acoustically treated meeting rooms
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Welcoming amenities, café space with a great vista, ergonomic furniture
Patrick says Tonkin + Taylor and Unispace’s drive for sustainability has been a standout.
“These two companies really care about their impact and footprint; they do lots of internal sustainable research and they understand Green Star. The project has been a joy.”
Green features include:
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Predicted GHG emissions significantly lower than a standard fitout
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169kgs of construction and demolition waste diverted from landfill
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High quality staff support promotes healthy outcomes/knowledge of sustainable practices
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Operational waste facilities to collect and separate waste stream
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Infrastructure provided to support the uptake of low-emission vehicles
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Lights are flicker-free/accurately address the perception of colour
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Zoned, automatically adjusting lighting
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Efficient sanitary fittings and fixtures
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Green cleaning