Manawa House: a modern blend of energy efficiency and architectural excellence

The name ‘Manawa’, meaning ‘heart’ in te reo Māori, was kindly gifted by local hapū Ngāti Hangarau, reflecting the connection between the building, the Kaimai Power Scheme, and the Omanawa River. It’s a name that symbolises the heart of the community while acknowledging tenants of the building – New Zealand Blood and Manawa Energy. The integration of this cultural element reinforces the project’s commitment to honouring its surroundings and the history of the region, making Manawa House more than just a commercial building – it’s a living part of the community’s fabric.

Located on Cameron Road in Tauranga’s central business district, the building’s distinctive fin design was inspired by Mauao (Mount Maunganui) and has seen the building become an iconic structure in the region, especially for the way it is illuminated at night. It’s a striking building that received the Highly Commended Award for Commercial Architecture at the 2024 Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) Awards thanks to its masterful blend of aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability – a joint effort by the building’s designer, Cube Architecture, as well as those involved, including Iline Construction and Harkin Roofing. 

Considered product selection was also vital, with one of the standout features of Manawa House being its high-performance Warm Roof System, supplied by Dimond Roofing and installed by Harkin Roofing, which plays a pivotal role in the building’s thermal performance, durability, and overall comfort.

Originally designed as a three-level office building for the New Zealand Blood Service, the scope of the project expanded when Manawa Energy joined as a key tenant. The revised design increased the number of floors to four, along with an underground parking level, without straying too far from the initial vision.

“The client aimed to create an appealing corner building with a distinctive character. To achieve this, we incorporated the shape of Mauao into the design through the feature fins and facade lighting,” says Matt Allan, Founder of Cube Architecture.

As well as its appearance, the commercial project needed to be highly resilient, able to function in emergencies, and offer a comfortable working environment. 

This is where the decision to use Dimond’s Warm Roof System proved crucial. Known for its superior thermal insulation and energy efficiency, the warm roof system contributes to the building’s sustainable design and ensures long-term comfort and cost savings for its occupants.

Exceptional acoustic and thermal insulation properties

Dimond Roofing’s Warm Roof System was selected for Manawa House for several key reasons. First and foremost, the system offers exceptional acoustic and thermal insulation properties, both of which are vital for creating a productive office environment. In commercial buildings located in busy urban areas, controlling noise and maintaining comfortable temperatures is essential to tenant satisfaction. The warm roof system ensures that the interior of Manawa House remains quiet and temperate, even in the fluctuating coastal conditions of Tauranga.

Impressive energy performance

From an energy performance perspective, Dimond’s Warm Roof System was integral in helping Manawa House surpass New Zealand’s H1 energy efficiency requirements by an impressive 77 per cent. This level of energy efficiency significantly reduces the building’s running costs, offering long-term financial benefits for its tenants. The use of the warm roof system was part of a broader sustainability strategy for the project, which also included the installation of rooftop solar panels to generate renewable energy. These features align with the environmental goals of both Cube Architecture and the building’s tenants, ensuring that Manawa House is not only a functional and attractive building but also a leader in sustainability.

Ease of installation

Dimond’s warm roofing system’s ease of installation also contributed to the success of the project, enabling Harkin Roofing to complete the job efficiently and helping to keep the overall project on track. As one of the largest and most respected commercial roofing companies in the Bay of Plenty, Harkin Roofing brought over 40 years of experience to the table. Their expertise in metal roofing and cladding was invaluable to the smooth and successful installation of the roofing system at Manawa House.

Manawa House is a prime example of what can be achieved when architectural vision is paired with high-performance building materials and expert installation.

Cube Architecture has seamlessly balanced form and function, and the use of Dimond’s Warm Roof System alongside the expert craftsmanship of Harkin Roofing ensures that the building performs at the highest level, meeting the needs of its tenants while also addressing the challenges of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

This project’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration between architects, contractors, and suppliers. If you’re an architect looking to incorporate Dimond Roofing’s high-performance Warm Roof System into your next project, get in touch with the team or learn more about the product on ArchiPro.