Architecture, Interiors
ASB North Wharf, a truly modern bank.
This is an international benchmark in sustainable building that provides a head office for ASB Bank with an activities based workplace.
The seven-storey office block highlights a glazed multi-level walkway over a central public lane. The lane facilitates pedestrian connectivity and is the central component of an interconnected public/private space.
ASB North Wharf incorporates a number of innovative environmentally sustainable strategies. The atrium functions as the building’s ‘lungs’ - cross ventilation is achieved by fresh air from the open windows in the façade being drawn up into the top of the building through a ventilating funnel. The light reflector on the building’s roof captures and reflects natural light deep into the building. A distinctive sunscreen on the north façade references the leaves of the Pohutukawa, a native New Zealand north island tree.
Designed from the inside out, the workplace is based on a “village square” concept with themed “neighbourhoods” and a range of communal spaces. These provide a choice of work settings and inspire a sense of identity, community and transparency in line with the work culture aspirations of ASB.
Impact
A building designed around the wellness of the building’s inhabitants that incorporates natural ventilation and light.
Themed neighbourhoods provide multiple home bases, with choices in work settings empowering staff.
The building’s external skin provides solar and wind control, daylight and views.
"ASB North Wharf is one of the most advanced commercial buildings of its type globally. The guiding philosophy behind the building’s unique design mirrors ASB’s focus on the principles of innovation, teamwork and sustainability.
The interior of ASB’s new corporate headquarters has been specifically designed to promote a sense of activity and well-being for our people. For example, physical transparency offers unobstructed views into and through the building providing a spacious, naturally-lit working environment. At the same time, the expansive design breaks down traditional workplace barriers and offers new levels of flexibility and mobility. In addition, the building’s large open atrium and wide variety of informal gathering and meeting environments naturally draw people and teams together for the sharing of information and ideas.
These features combine to enable ASB people to work with each other in new ways to deliver truly unbeatable service to our customers and communities. ASB has long been known for our desire to innovate and challenge convention. Our new home, ASB North Wharf, will undoubtedly play a major role in helping us to continue to build on this heritage long into the future."
- Barbara Chapman, ASB CEO
The Process
The buildings rooftop funnel serves a dual purpose - facilitating natural ventilation whilst referencing Auckland’s volcanic landscape.
The funnel extracts heat and pollutants from the building interior using natural ventilation principles.
The light reflector on the building’s roof is designed to divert sunlight deep into the building's atrium.
Boatbuilders and boat building technologies were employed in the manufacture and installation of the funnel, with components prefabricated offsite and then assembled on site.
The facade has been developed to the cost plan of a typical fixed louvre system. Utilising yachting technology to create a ‘leaf’ facade, the design emulates the shade of a tree for occupants within the building.
The distinctive sunscreen references the leaves of the Pohutukawa, a native New Zealand north island tree.
The artistic abstraction of the leaf was digitized and computationally developed into an architectural façade element. BVN in conjunction with the artist then worked with shipbuilders to develop a tensioned façade system that enabled a natural movement of the façade component, just like a leaf.
The buildings rooftop funnel serves a dual purpose - facilitating natural ventilation whilst referencing Auckland’s volcanic landscape.
The funnel extracts heat and pollutants from the building interior using natural ventilation principles.
The light reflector on the building’s roof is designed to divert sunlight deep into the building's atrium.
Boatbuilders and boat building technologies were employed in the manufacture and installation of the funnel, with components prefabricated offsite and then assembled on site.
The facade has been developed to the cost plan of a typical fixed louvre system. Utilising yachting technology to create a ‘leaf’ facade, the design emulates the shade of a tree for occupants within the building.
The distinctive sunscreen references the leaves of the Pohutukawa, a native New Zealand north island tree.
The artistic abstraction of the leaf was digitized and computationally developed into an architectural façade element. BVN in conjunction with the artist then worked with shipbuilders to develop a tensioned façade system that enabled a natural movement of the façade component, just like a leaf.
Credits
BVN
Collaborators
BVN in association with Jasmax
Consultants
Marshall Day Acoustics
Collaborators
BVN in association with Jasmax
Consultants
Marshall Day Acoustics
Photography
John Gollings
Awards
The New Zealand Institute of Architects Architecture Medal (2014)
The Interior Design Excellence Awards High Commendation International Category (2014)
The World Architecture Festival High Commendation Office Buildings (2014)
The New Zealand Institute of Architects Architecture Award for Interior Architecture (2014)
Supreme Award - Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards (2014)
Property Council New Zealand - Hays Commercial Office Property Award (2014)
Property Council New Zealand - merit in Resene Green Building Property Award (2014)
New Zealand Commercial Project Awards - Gold Award (2014)
The New Zealand Institute of Architects Architecture Award for Commercial Architecture (2014)
The New Zealand Institute of Architects Architecture Award for Sustainable Architecture (2014)
The New Zealand Institute of Architects - Auckland Architecture Award for Sustainable Architecture (2013)
RAIA Interior Architecture Award in the International category
