The University of Auckland (B201) Social Sciences building situated on Symonds Street is a world leading sustainability project, achieving 6 Star Green Star NZGBC design rating.
A key goal of the reuse project was to achieve a high level of airtightness for improved energy efficiency. The facade was designed with 30% vision glazing and 70% opaque materials to minimise heat gain. The existing 50-year-old concrete clad building was reclad with a low-carbon high performance Thermosash PW1000 Unitised Curtainwall system. The glass-to-wall ratio, combined with high-performance glass and leading passive house airtightness principles, allowed for an 'ultra-low energy' mechanical ventilation system. As a result, the building uses nearly one-third the energy of an equivalent new build in New Zealand.
Jaxmax designed the UOA B201 building to reflect and acknowledge the historic trading Pā of Waipapa and the waka that were used for trading from the shore of Te Tōangaroa (Auckland's CBD eastern waterfront area).
“To reduce the embodied carbon of the new façade we considered design options with minimal amounts of low carbon materials. The design of the curtain wall system utilised aluminium extrusions sourced in Aotearoa made from 85% recycled content and 60% less carbon emissions than international aluminium. Due to the inherent strength of these lightweight extrusions, we could further reduce the quantity of material required.” Jasmax Principal and design lead, Chris Scott. Building 201: Reuse of University of Auckland building slashes carbon (nzgbc.org.nz)
Thermosash building envelope solutions include:
NORTH TOWER AND EAST TOWER (L4 - L10)
PODIUM OF THE EAST TOWER (L1 - L3)
ATRIUM (L1 - L4)
Auckland
Jasmax
Hawkins
2023