The new building for Environment Canterbury has been environmentally designed from the beginning of the project. The brief was to make the most of current technologies to create an efficient sustainable building that also offered a high level of comfort to its users. With this in mind, we worked with Beca on a chilled beam system for heating and cooling the building. The energy was supplied by a ground source using groundwater, taken from the 85m aquifer and returned to the 35m aquifer. 

The façade was then optimised to ensure the right level of solar gain and thermal insulation was achieved. Good daylighting and good views are enjoyed from all parts of the building. The atrium circulation encourages staff interaction via a central stair, with places to stop and talk.The Services building accommodates 140 bike parks with showers and lockers for staff. If the staff choose to take the bus to work the Bus Exchange is just over the road.

Rainwater from the roof and carpark is stored for irrigation. The stormwater from the car park is filtered through rain gardens adjacent to carparks. FSC sustainable Southland Beech timber has been used throughout the building interior to stunning effect. Low environmental impact paints, floor coverings and refrigerants were also used to ensure the building complied with the highest ESD standards.