Heke Rua National Archives Wellington
Heke Rua Archives New Zealand is a 9-level heritage campus situated in Wellington - the building protects 1000s of artifacts (Taonga) and historical documents and is designed to honour the land, its descendants, and the Māori language. The façade design required close collaboration between cultural consultants Tehei Ltd - led by Rangi Kipa, Warren and Mahoney Architects and façade engineers to embed patterned Māori motifs in the facade without compromising thermal or structural performance.
The facade
The facade is required to maintain the repository at an internal temperature of 18°C ± 1°C for a minimum of 48 hours following and earthquake or system failure.
High performance thermally broken curtainwall systems comprising of Thermosash PW1000-TB200 structurally flush glazed system and Thermosash PW1000-TB200 opaque curtainwall system with hooked on rainscreen panels.
Exceptional High Performance - Thermal / Airtightness / Seismic / Weathertightness: This is one of the highest performing facade solutions in NZ to comply with Conservation of Cultural Heritage code BS/EN 16893 (requiring a u-value average < 0.4 w/m2.k which is a factor of 10 better than NZS 4284 airtightness after a DLS +/-35mm seismic interstorey building movement).
Thermal modelling was conducted using the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory software which resulted in Thermosash developing a new innovative method of fixing the rainscreen via a transom and hook-on system designed to eliminate thermal bridging from the rainscreen to the framing. The new design significantly increased thermal performance resulting in a much-reduced dewpoint and condensation risk, energy savings and building service efficiency.
The system also performed exceptionally well in airtightness, weather and seismic resilience during testing in an IANZ accredited laboratory by Window Engineering Consultants, and during in-situ as-built testing.
Cultural Motifs: The facade features embossed patterns inspired by the biodiversity of local flora and fauna, referencing the Pipitea Marae and te reo Māori. A striking cultural element—the Māori moko (facial tattoo)—is abstracted into vertical lines above the entrance, serving as a symbolic wayfinder and anchoring the building in its cultural context. This design honours tangata whenua and the whenua, while positioning the building as a civic and cultural landmark.
The Result: Thermosash engineered, manufactured and installed a highly insulated, thermally isolated near zero air-leakage unitised façade system, whilst also delivering on architectural aesthetic intent and culturally significant motifs.
National Treasure
Through its thoughtful integration of cultural narrative and urban presence, the building is poised to become an iconic national asset—preserving and protecting the history and identity of Aotearoa New Zealand for future generations.
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Thermosash has over 50-years' experience in the facade industry. With our innovate methodologies and expert teams we consistently deliver high performing building envelope solutions that reduce embodied and operational carbon and positively contribute to more sustainable project outcomes.
Products used in Heke Rua National Archives Wellington
Professionals used in Heke Rua National Archives Wellington
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About the
Professional
Thermosash is New Zealand’s largest commercial window, curtainwall, total clad façade designer, manufacturer and contractor - local since 1973.
As a world class supplier of engineered façades, we provide, through constant evolution of our product range, systems that are trusted and proven.
“Our work at Thermosash is critical to the building industry. Our prefabricated design specific engineered building envelopes shape the appearance of our skylines: offering comfort to occupants from heat and cold, protection from the elements, respite from the acoustic discomfort of busy cities and pleasure to those who appreciate the built environment”. David Hayes, Group Managing Director.
Our growth since 1973 demonstrates that the strength we offer the building industry is underpinned by supplying quality, long lasting, engineered building envelope systems. Our ability to meet tight lead times and on-site programmes, our acceptance of transfer of design responsibility, our engineering, manufacturing, logistics and on-site capabilities, together with our team’s passion and quality service commitment enables us to remain at the forefront of the facade subcontracting industry.
Our Expertise
Thermosash’s abilities have grown since its 1973 start-up when Laurie Hayes and his colleagues manufactured commercial windows out of a small production facility. It quickly became apparent that the products and skills of the workforce were creating a performing quality, flexible product that the market sought.
Over time, our teams of dedicated and committed people have grown, this has been possible through constant reassessment of internal and external processes and manufacturing methods from around the world. We’ve also provided ongoing reinvestment in the training of our people to ensure lean process, IT Systems, material handling machinery and transport logistics equipment, as well as design office and factory production process improvements. We are able to offer a world class company with manufacturing facilities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Our Offering
We offer an end-to-end integrated facade solution from conception to completion. We have an extensive range of cost effective, high performance rainscreen, pressure equalised window, door and façade solutions to suit any commercial project. Our products are incorporated in high-rise office blocks, apartment buildings, shopping centres, airports, institutions, hotels, industrial complexes and quality architectural homes.
In addition to offering bespoke façade solutions for new builds, we are experts in recladding, rainscreen over-cladding and the refurbishment of existing façades.
- Year founded1973
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