Taking Sustainable Building To The Max
December 10th, 2008
Office products company OfficeMax NZ has set a new benchmark for sustainable building development with its new headquarters at Highbrook. The new 15,000sq m distribution centre and 4500sq m office has replaced the company’s three former Auckland sites. It is one of the first buildings to use the NZ Green Building Council’s “Green Star” design techniques, to maximise energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. The distribution centre lighting dims in reaction to the amount of available daylight from the sky lights and is movement-activated in low use areas, both of which save considerable energy. Plumbing fittings have being installed to minimise water consumption.
All enclosed offices and meeting rooms are provided with separate individual switches, ensuring lights are not used unnecessarily. From light fittings to fridges, all equipment purchased for the building have a high efficiency rating. OfficeMax reconditioned existing seating and recovered them with a 100% recyclable NZ wool fabric rather than scrapping them for new chairs. All desk tops are made from low-formaldehyde emitting MDF. The Govt is applauding OfficeMax’s efforts, with Associate Economic Development Minister Wayne Mapp attending the official opening. Mapp says, “Businesses that innovate in an authentic way like this will be among the leaders within a more prosperous NZ.”
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