PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Hub comprises 1,286m of new build construction (in an existing open-air courtyard) and 4,679m2 of refurbished adjacent existing space. The Hub formed part of the Unitec campus developments, and involved the alteration, addition and refurbishment of two adjacent buildings in the Wairaka Campus on Carrington Road in Mt Albert. This involved the development of a new library, retail space, performance, teaching and learning, social and collaborative nodes.
CLIENT BRIEF/PROJECT CHALLENGES
Unitec wanted the development to become the heart of a world-class campus, and to support a more modern teaching and learning experience, fitting of a modern 21st Century Institute of Technology. Unitec envisioned a space to attract and foster student meetings and interaction, providing a welcoming point of entry for students and visitors. The Hub is Unitec’s “heart”. WSP worked closely with Unitec and the other design team members to deliver design initiatives that would also meet their sustainability objectives for the building.
OUR SOLUTION
WSP’s approach to design and documentation anchored a strategy around flexibility and adaptability of systems and technology. The design supported a more modern teaching and learning experience to attract and foster student meetings and interaction. The approach was based upon the very clear expectation that all property projects would have a strong focus on delivering long-term performing assets that included sustainability as part of the core brief, but with a focus on achieving outcomes and results in terms of energy and occupant comfort and engagement.
OUTCOME/CLIENT BENEFITS
The sustainability features in the building design enabled natural ventilation during hotter periods of the year, making use of a displacement system, automated window opening and night purge of thermal mass. Heating of the building during winter through thermal boiler heating system to the new zones and HVAC to existing refurbished zones.
The Building Envelope was designed to the new components to maximise use of external climate for the comfort of occupants whilst meeting high energy efficiency standards. Fire Engineered system verification modelling to maximise the open spaces and learning environment while maintaining occupant safety. BMS integration of all services to maximise control and system performance.
OTHER EXTERNAL BODIES INVOLVED
Project Managers: RDT
Architects: Andrew Scott Cotton Architects + Design Group Stapleton Elliott
Structural/Civil Engineers: Structus
Quantity Surveyors: WT Partnership
LIST OF PRIMARY SERVICES
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Fire Protection
- Fire Engineering
- Acoustics
- ICT
- Security
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