Excellence for InnoV8
Officially opened on Wednesday 27 July, the 8,500m2 Vodafone InnoV8 building on Tuam Street, Christchurch, has been awarded a 5 Green Star Design rating, denoting New Zealand excellence. It is the first building in Christchurch’s rapidly growing innovation precinct to achieve a Green Star rating.
The InnoV8 building comprises four floors of office space, with a Vodafone concept store and cafe on the ground floor. Designed by Jasmax, the InnoV8 building is being
developed by Studio D4 and Calder Stewart Development with the end investor being Tuam Street West Ltd. InnoV8 will be leased under an exclusive long-term agreement with Vodafone.
The building’s green features include passive solar design and a high-performance façade to maximise daylight while balancing heat levels. A highly efficient ventilation system has also been fitted, which brings in outdoor air at a rate of 50 per cent above what’s required by Building Code, to provide a healthier indoor environment for staff.
Other sustainability features of the office include LED lighting to reduce energy consumption; water metering and alarmed leak detection to ensure water consumption is effectively managed, and building tuning for 12 months following completion, to ensure building systems perform to their design potential. 90 per cent of site waste will be diverted from landfill through reuse and recycling, and there will be dedicated carpool car parking and cyclist facilities.
New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) chief executive Alex Cutler says that as the rebuild continues, it’s inspiring to see that companies are dedicated to creating high-performing buildings that have a smaller environmental footprint, and that they are also using an independent rating tool to certify that the green features measure up internationally.
“Designing for sustainability is the best way to ensure lower energy bills, a healthier indoor environment and a more resilient building. This makes a Green Star building a smart long-term investment, as those features mean it’ll be more attractive to both investors and tenants. The Vodafone InnoV8 building is an example that we hope other companies will follow when building in Christchurch,” says Ms Cutler.