Willis Bond set to develop New Zealand’s largest mass timber office building in Tauranga’s city centre

Our latest project, 90 Devonport Road is set to be the largest mass timber office building in New Zealand and will target a net-zero carbon footprint for the building’s construction process.

We have worked alongside Warren and Mahoney architects to design the 10,000sqm building, which is set to be Tauranga City Council’s (TCC) new office building and uses engineered timber in place of most traditional concrete and steel elements. The aim of the design is to reduce embodied carbon – carbon emitted through the manufacturing, transportation and installation of building materials and components – to the lowest level possible.

Willis Bond Executive Chair Mark McGuinness says the project sets a new precedent for innovative and sustainable building design in New Zealand.

“Our goal is always to keep as much carbon in the ground as possible and to walk with a light footprint. What makes this project unique is the scale at which we’ve been able to achieve this.” 

Demonstrating world leadership in sustainability, the building is targeting the highest 6 Green Star rating Design and As-Built NZv1.0 – Design Review Rating, and will showcase a raft of green features including rainwater harvesting, EV charging, and facilities that encourage active transport options.

Commission Chair Anne Tolley says sustainable outcomes were key when considering the new, purpose-built office space, which will house all council administration staff under one roof.

“We wanted to push the boundaries to design a wholly-sustainable, future-focused workplace which maximises the use of natural materials, such as the exposed timber columns which celebrate the uniqueness of the building,” says Anne.

“Willis Bond and Council staff continue to work with mana whenua to ensure that mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) principles are incorporated and add to the look and feel of the building.

“This will be our home for at least the duration of the 15-year lease, so it’s important that we get it right and create a facility that both speaks to its Tauranga Moana origins and provides a welcoming and people-friendly space for our staff and the community.”

Bringing all administration staff together in one building will have significant cost and efficiency benefits, while the long-term lease arrangement means there will be no construction outlay, which will also help the council stay within its required debt limits.

Construction of 90 Devonport Road is expected to commence in late-2022 and be completed before the end of 2024.