A new residential college at the University of Otago exemplifies world-leading high-density green living for students.
Te Rangihīroa College has achieved a 6 star Green Star rating.
The exceptional facility has achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design & As Built rating.
Essentials
Name: Te Rangihīroa College - Te Whare Whakamaru o Te Rangihīroa (the protective house of Te Rangihīroa)
What: six-storey building;14,500 square metres; steel frame with concrete floors
Details: 450 bedrooms (300 standard + 150 ensuite); ground level comprises a whare kai dining room, social lounge, media and music rooms, two dedicated study/teaching zones, laundry, back-of-house facilities; landscaped grounds; external courtyards; kitchen gardens
Name: Te Rangihīroa, Sir Peter Buck was a University of Otago alumnus and the first Māori medical graduate from a university in Aotearoa
Location: brownfield site; adjacent to the central university campus
Daily occupancy: 450 first year university students
Address: 15 Forth Street, Dunedin Ōtepoti
Project Snapshot
Project Snapshot
Owner: University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
Architect: Jasmax
Project GSAP: Powell Fenwick
Project status: design phase early 2019; construction late 2020 to end of 2023; occupation early 2024
Project certification: 6 star Green Star Design and As-Built NZ v1.0 rating (July 2025)
When the University of Otago’s original ‘Te Rangi Hīroa College’ – housing 125 students - was identified as a future expansion site for Dunedin Hospital’s long-term redevelopment, forecasting came into play.
The institution required a future replacement for those lost college beds, a need to address capacity to meet future student demand and cement its strategic accommodation goals.
With environmental responsibility at the fore - framed by the university’s Vision 2040 strategy; Tī Kōuka Sustainability Strategic Framework; an alignment with Te Ao Māori concepts of sustainability and a commitment to be net zero by 2030 – it embarked on its first purpose-built undergraduate residential college in 50 years – Te Rangihīroa College.
Green Star was pivotal from the get go.
“Green Star is one of the foremost benchmarking tools in Aotearoa allowing us to provide a recognised and practical measurement of our project. It was also an opportunity for us to test our design and facility standards against Green Star – assisting us with some internal benchmarking,” says University of Otago, senior project manager, Kim Sneddon.
“The 6 star outcome reflects our deep commitment to delivering a high-quality, long-term asset.”
Jasmax Principal, Matthew Downs, says while the built form of Te Rangihīroa is a simple expression of function, structure and purpose, it embodies large-scale cultural narratives.
“Te Rangihīroa was both a student and a national figure and the college needed to honour his legacy. Through collaboration with the university, Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāi Tahu, the architecture is a physical expression of partnership between iwi and institution.”
That cultural language includes:
connection to the whenua through the building’s base layer of bluestone blockwork
taonga, artworks, tukutuku patterning and a high-performance unitised façade envelope – animating the upper levels of the building as a living entity with end panels in a kaokao design
the four wings of the building are named after Te Rangihīroa's core values
Matthew says with 450 students living on-site energy performance was the big-ticket item. Optimal environmental performance, bedroom configuration to maximise direct sunlight supporting energy efficiency and student wellbeing, smart electronic door closers enabling an 'open door' culture and healthy, engaging spaces were part of the mix.
While the project initially targeted a 5 star Green Star result, Powell Fenwick GSAP, Zoe McQuoid, says as the design progressed and energy modelling results were assessed “it was clear the project was already performing at close to a 6 star level.”
With team collaboration and mahi described as “amazing” – Zoe says the most impressive aspect of Te Rangihīroa is the performance outcomes achieved through smart, integrated design.
That smart design context includes:
low-carbon biomass heating; space heating and hot water are supplied via a biomass-powered District Energy Scheme; reducing reliance on fossil fuels; providing large efficiency gains.
high performance building fabric; insulation levels were more than double the building code requirements of the time; cutting heat loss; and reducing energy use and operational costs.
heat recovery ventilation; bathroom extract air pre‑heats incoming fresh air, reducing heating energy; and improving comfort.
climate resilience planning; long-term durability; future proofing the building.
low‑e double glazing; minimises heat loss; and reduces overheating risk.
naturally warm, stable, comfortable low-energy rooms year round
excellent indoor air quality, reduced condensation, heat recovery support comfort
quieter, restful bedrooms
low‑toxicity materials, OEKO‑TEX‑certified mattresses – healthy indoor environment
functionality and calmness
convenient recycling and low‑flow fixtures – encouraging everyday sustainable behaviours
future‑ready; reliable living with reduced disruptions from extreme weather events.
excellent access to public transport.
” Seeing all the elements come together in Aotearoa’s first 6 star Green Star student accommodation building has been particularly rewarding. Te Rangihīroa sets a clear precedent for low‑carbon, high‑performance halls of residence and demonstrates world‑leadership performance is achievable for large, complex residential colleges,” says Zoe.
Sustainability makes life better with:
The university says student applications for Te Rangihīroa College have indicated clear interest in the building’s green credentials – and is stated as the reason some students want to attend.
Southbase national sustainability advisor, Kate Butterfield, says Green Star ensured environmental sustainability was centre stage during the design and construction phases of the college.
“Ongoing training and quality assurance processes ensure these high Green Star standards are now maintained consistently. This holistic approach benefits the environment and enhances the health and wellbeing of occupants and staff. Te Rangihīroa signposts sustainable, practical, high-quality living environments,” says Kate.
Kim Sneddon looking through a sustainability lens says one of the project’s biggest triumphs has been the campus-wide adoption of a Green Groundskeeping Policy.
Initiated at Te Rangihīroa – “it’s propelling meaningful student engagement with the building’s green features including hands-on actions with electricity saving.”
More green features:
efficient lighting; LED lighting and smart controls in shared spaces reduces electricity demand
chilled‑water cooling; common areas are cooled using a highly‑efficient chilled‑water system
low light pollution
minimisation of indoor pollutants
peak electricity demand reduction
more than 60 percent of nominated area receives high levels of daylight
predicted potable water consumption – almost 40 percent lower than a standard building