Meridian Building Kumutoto Site 7

Sustainability is the keyword in talking about this purpose built office block for Meridian Energy which set new standards for the Wellington Waterfront. There is a sophisticated building management system maintaining the internal environment by controlling the mechanical louvres on the facades, the heating and cooling system and the lighting. Rainwater is collected and most of the hot water used has been solar heated. Construction has been of materials with low embodied energy. "Each facade automatically adapts to suit the weather conditions, and allows the building to be operated passively using natural lighting and natural ventilation, or using 'low carbon' energy-efficient artificial systems when ambient conditions dictate."
The cost penalty for being green has not been published but is rumoured to be substantial. It has been suggested that solar gain could be more easily controlled and cost effectiveness increased if less glass were used as cladding. Completed in 2007, the building architects were Studio Pacific Architecture in a joint venture with Peddle Thorp Architects. The engineers were Becca. See "Architecture NZ" Sept/October 2007.