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Introduction

Photo of the Department of Conservation building on Manners Street.

Building Type Retrofit of existing building
Location 18–32 Manners Street, Wellington
Building Owner and Developer The Wellington Company Ltd
Tenant The Department of Conservation
Development and Project Manager Gill Consultants Ltd
Tenant’s Advisor Bogacki Property
Architect Architecture+
Engineer Sinclair Knight Merz
Size 7159 m2 lettable area

It is more than fitting that the caretakers of New Zealand’s natural environment are now housed in one of the most environmentally friendly office buildings in the country.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) occupies refitted premises in downtown Wellington that boast the most advanced of sustainable ventilation and energy-saving strategies.

The former cinema complex, now known as Conservation House, underwent a transformation that incorporated so many sustainable principles that it won the Sustainable Building Award at the 2006 Govt3 Awards.

In 2004, the general management team of DOC developed a strategy to drive significant culture change within the organisation. At that time, the Department was operating from four separate buildings, which cultivated a ‘silo’ approach to communication and cooperation.

Senior management realised that moving together under one roof would go some way towards changing the prevailing culture. It would also provide a unique opportunity to express the values and beliefs of the organisation – to ‘walk the sustainable talk’.

Staff members were surveyed to ensure their needs were included in the building design brief and the request for proposals. Staff wanted fresh air, windows that opened and a clean working environment.

Recognising that change can be threatening, care was taken to address staff members’ concerns. Constant communication between management and staff was a feature of the entire process. Staff members were also involved in selecting furniture to ensure it was fit for purpose and in line with sustainability criteria.

The design brief for the new accommodation was based on the principles of a sustainable building. DOC broke new ground for a government department and for the industry in its search for accommodation. It went to the market with its request for proposals only to find there was little appetite for sustainable building specifications. It received just two responses that met its needs from developers, both of which happened to be the most cost-effective.

The Wellington Company’s proposal was for the redevelopment of the existing podium and basement levels of the Mid City building in Manners Street. It stuck to the principles of a “high performance green building” with its objectives being to prevent environmental degradation and avoid resource depletion of energy, water and raw materials.

Securing the services of The Wellington Company to deliver Conservation House, DOC began a strong partnership with the building’s owner. This was new for both parties, but proved beneficial to the point that DOC contracted the same companies to complete the fit-out that the owner had used for the base building.

The green building rating scheme Green Star was just coming into the market in Australia and was used as a design guide on the project.

The new building’s successful three-floor, open-plan design has contributed to an open environment both spatially and socially – a shift that has been easier for younger generations, leaving the others to slowly embrace the more interactive environment. The divisive ‘silo’ approach that once existed has changed significantly within the organisation.

The new building has maintained a strong office and central government presence in this part of Wellington. This has been important in preserving this as a competitive and thriving part of the Wellington City Central Business District.

Photo of the reception area.

Reception area. Photo courtesy of the Department of Conservation.

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