Meridian Building

Project Summary:

The Meridian Building was New Zealand’s first completed 5 Green Star building rated under the New Zealand Green Building Council’s (NZGBC) Green Star - Office Design v1 certification scheme and is Meridian Energy Ltd’s head office.

The building was the first to be constructed on Wellington’s waterfront in a decade.

The owner and the tenant both wanted a landmark building, befitting the capital and the site overlooking the harbour, coupled with leading-edge environmental performance. The architectural design is articulated as two separate forms - a glass pavilion that floats on the harbour edge, and a smaller curved annex building that links to the adjacent heritage warehouses.

DNZ Property Group embraced the opportunity to develop and own this high performance green building, and the building aligned Meridian Energy’s accommodation with the company’s focus on positioning itself as a global reference company in renewable energy.

Project Name: The Meridian Building

Address: 33 Customhouse Quay, Wellington

Points Awarded: 70 points
Rating Achieved: 5 Green Star Office Design V1

Building Owner: DNZ Property Group

Architect: Studio of Pacific Architecture in joint venture with Peddle Throp Aitken

Building Services Engineer: Beca

Main contractor: Fletcher Construction Company

The key sustainable features of the building are: 

• Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan and Waste Management Plan for the project construction, more than 60% of waste generated during construction was diverted from landfill.
• Building User Guide provided.
• ‘Mixed mode’ ventilation system allows operation using natural ventilation when conditions are appropriate, or energy efficient HVAC mode with enhanced ventilation rates.
• No car-parking provided, to encourage public transport use.
• Cycle racks, lockers and showers provided for building users.
• Waterless urinals and, sensor taps.
• Rainwater collection and recycling to flush toilets.
• Timber specified from sustainable sources.
• Building developed on a brownfield site.

Innovation points awarded:

• Innovation points were awarded for the application of climate responsive active façade systems and the ‘mixed mode’ ventilation strategy.