Containers are designed to ‘contain’ things. Usually freight that’s most often seen on trucks or adorning the decks of large ships. They’ve been used as an alternative building or housing solutions before but rarely have they become the main platform for a corporate head office.

Royal Wolf’s offices in Auckland’s East Tamaki boast two 40-foot and six 20-foot containers which act as the centrepieces of the architecturally-designed facility.

Architect Frank Tonetti was hand-picked to head the project, largely due to his innovative work using containers as building and housing solutions for those in dire need.  

The brief he received from the Royal Wolf team was specific and demanding. They wanted offices that would showcase the company’s expertise in innovative container construction. It also had to complement the landscape rather than detract from it.  

The challenge was to demonstrate the versatility of containerised building solutions as well as moving away from the conventional way they are stacked. The focus was on developing a series of spaces between, around and under the containers. Having the structures built at different angles helped to provide an aesthetic edge.  

The outside of the containers needed little work, but it was a different story inside. The containers, in their original state, were designed to carry freight, and simply would not pass the ‘human accommodation’ test.  

This is where COLORSTEEL® entered the equation. Essential to the project was the Metalcraft-insulated panels and the pre-finished Colorsteel MAXX® external cladding. The panels are able to span long distances yet are lightweight, saving on installation costs and assembly time.

The COLORSTEEL® ‘skin’ added an extra layer of protection and also an attractive highlight to the finished building.

Roofing Material: Colorsteel MAXX® in Smokey
Roofing Profile: Thermospan
Cladding Material: Colorsteel Endura® in Titania
Cladding Profile: Thermopanel
Architect: Architettura Ltd
Supplier: Metalcraft Insulated Panels