Mason Bros. is the first in New Zealand to receive both a 6 Green Star and a 5 Star NABERSNZ rating - the highest possible rating for environmental impact from the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC).
What makes this achievement so special is the adaptive re-use of a historical building previously in industrial use.
Located at 139 Pakenham Street West, Mason Bros. is a stunning character warehouse upgraded and converted into a contemporary three level workplace designed by Warren and Mahoney.
Administered locally by the NZGBC, Green Star is an internationally-recognised rating system for the design, construction and operation of buildings, fit out and communities. A rating assesses nine categories: Energy, Water, Materials, Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ), Transport, Land Use and Ecology, Management, Emissions, and Innovation. The 6 Green Star Rating achieved by the Mason Bros building is the highest, described as ‘World Leading’.
NZGBC CEO Andrew Eagles has high praise for Mason Bros: “This building isn’t just one of the very greenest buildings in Aotearoa – it’s one of the greenest in the entire world.”
He points out that a building designed and constructed with green guidelines doesn’t just reduce its impact on the environment but has shown to improve productivity and job satisfaction.
“The progressive New Zealand businesses involved at Mason Bros are raking in the benefits of such a great building. For instance, there’s the marked drop in absenteeism and a productivity boost, confirming that green verified places are better for people, and better for business,” Eagles adds.
"Sustainability is no longer about simply minimising impact on our surroundings. Today it’s about wellbeing for individuals, communities and the environment. At Warren and Mahoney, sustainability isn’t a separate discipline, it’s an overarching priority. We see ourselves as leaders in sustainability, and it was important that we designed our premises to reflect this," says Warren and Mahoney Principal Blair Johnston.
“As an adaptive reuse, the building incorporates the vast majority of the original façade and structure, substantially reducing its carbon footprint compared to a new build project. Wherever practical, natural finishes of materials have been kept or maximised, adding authenticity to the everyday experience,” says Johnston.
