ASB North Wharf lauded for ‘market leading’ energy use
21 November 2019
ASB’s innovative flagship headquarters has been recognised as among New Zealand’s most energy efficient buildings.
North Wharf, ASB’s six-year old site on Auckland’s waterfront, has just gained a 5 star base building rating under the NABERSNZ scale – a national scheme that rates the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. The 5 star rating denotes ‘market leading’ efficiency.
The achievement is testament to years of focused energy management, with ASB working closely with landlord Kiwi Property Group and energy experts ESP, to ensure the building runs sustainably.
Chief Executive of the New Zealand Green Building Council Andrew Eagles congratulated ASB and Kiwi Property Group for their leadership and for working collaboratively to achieve rigorous environmental goals.
“ASB’s 5 Green Star North Wharf building was a flagship of sustainable design when it was first opened. Now, the NABERSNZ rating is hard proof that those environmental principles have been adhered to,” said Andrew Eagles.
“It’s no mean feat to achieve 5 stars. It takes hard work, attention to detail and a strong partnership between landlord and tenant. Landlords and tenants that seek NABERSNZ on the buildings they own or lease are leading the way to a lower carbon future, reducing energy bills and delivering healthier outcomes for staff.”
He said a NABERSNZ rating was independent third-party verification that energy goals were being met, which is why Government has adopted NABERSNZ for buildings it leases. A NABERSNZ rating is valid for one year. ASB North Wharf is one of only seven buildings around New Zealand to hold 5 stars for base or whole building energy use, and one of only three in Auckland.
Matthew Rowbotham, ASB GM Property, said the bank had a stringent energy reduction target across its whole portfolio, including the branch network, data centres and regional offices. “By 2025 we aim to be using 50% less energy across all our properties than we were in 2008. We’re currently tracking at 41% so are well on target.”
Kiwi Property National Facilities Manager, Jason Happy, said the company was committed to NABERSNZ ratings across its portfolio. “Getting a NABERSNZ rating is independent validation of our investment and the huge work to realise that investment. Sustainability is embedded in everything we do at Kiwi Property. This enables us to focus on reducing our resource consumption while building asset and business resilience.”
One of the first buildings to be opened in Auckland’s leading-edge Wynyard Quarter precinct, ASB North Wharf is a 5 Green Star design (NZ excellence for sustainability). Among its sustainable design features are a light-filled atrium, openable windows for fresh air and a distinctive helio-coil exhaust on the roof.