banner

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.

A head office that’s out of the box!

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

Get in touch
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Visit Website

About the
Professional

  • Projects published
  • Recent Responsiveness

    100%

    Usually responds within
    2 days on weekdays

COLORSTEEL® is made, tested and trusted for New Zealand conditions. We are inspired by the colours and landscapes that surround us and, in turn, we strive to create products that will inspire you. For more inspiration, visit www.colorsteel.co.nz

To learn more about the winning projects and professionals celebrated at our recent COLORSTEEL® Awards 2023, click here.

Our story started over 40 years ago when New Zealand Steel began making COLORSTEEL® roof and wall cladding products from New Zealand iron sand. It was a world first, and a feat that required imagination, ingenuity and sheer determination. 

These qualities have become COLORSTEEL® pillars - it’s who we are and how we work. 

For New Zealand:
We’re inspired by the landscape around us. From snow topped mountains to tussock grasslands, you’ll see New Zealand reflected in everything we create.

COLORSTEEL® products also undergo intense, long-term colour performance and exposure testing. So you can be sure they’re made and trusted for our conditions. We’re so confident in the durability of our products, we back them with robust warranties.

For you:
We’ve developed COLORSTEEL® products to meet the needs of New Zealanders. Whether it’s roofing your dream home, building a fence or cladding a warehouse– there’s a COLORSTEEL® solution for your project.

By combining beauty, durability and flexibility, we believe COLORSTEEL® is about more than just a steel solution - it’s about turning metal into magic and transforming the everyday.

For the environment:
All COLORSTEEL® solutions carry the Environmental Choice NZ licence which means they can contribute to the achievement of maximum points in Homestar and Green Star materials credits with NZ Green Building Council.