BritoMart (Auckland, New Zealand)

After Hamilton, we rode back to Auckland to meet with a representative, Sara, from Cooper and Company. The firm is responsible for developing, owning, and managing a Green Star 5 design facility in downtown. The building complex was originally constructed for residential; however, because of the economy crash, they were re-marketed as commercial space. The building designs were flexible enough to accommodate luxury condominiums and/or lease-able commercial offices. With the complex still months away from completion, the entire space has already been leased by WestPac and other large firms in Auckland.

It was easy to see how the complex received a 5 star rating using the Australian Greenstar rating system. They had carpets that were tiled and made with organic materials. The complex is “floating” above a train station, which created many great architectural puzzles that were all solved through Cooper and Company and Hawkins Construction working in concert. Every office will have a view of the harbor and well-lit, spacious cubicle areas. There is a workout facility on the top floor, also with an amazing view. I could only imagine working in such a facility.

Hamilton Garden (Hamilton, New Zealand)

On Thursday we visited Hamilton Garden in Hamilton, New Zealand. This garden is like no other garden in that it has sections dedicated to different aspects of nature. We saw representative art and sculptures, and even a sustainable garden in which no life form is taken for granted. There is a worm bed, a potpourri area, and so much more. The garden is maintained partly by the local horticulture students at the nearby university. This type of community and nature co-involvement is what I think will help facilitate more sustainable environments back in the states.

I take my neighborhood as a prime example of the focus not being on implementing more sustainable ideas in the community. Our homeowners association would rather us waste our drinking water and the energy used to supply it in order to keep the grass green. It would make more environmental and economic sense to let the grass that's native to the area grow in our yards. Then we could install a rainwater harvesting technology that could be used to irrigate a neighborhood garden with the same concepts as Hamilton Garden. I believe a park and neighborhood garden with walking and bicycle trails would be a much more aesthetic and eco-friendly use of the common areas.

I plan to offer this suggestion when I return home to Ft. Worth, but I fear the proposal will fall upon deaf ears. I will post whether the idea will even make it to the voting table.

As with every other location we’ve visited, this garden emphasizes recycling, low water and energy consumption, and no littering.

Aquamarine (Rotorua, New Zealand)

We visited the Aquamarine in Rotorua, New Zealand on Wednesday, Jan 5 2011. The aquamarine overlooks an amazing park, playground, and view of the harbor. There are natural hot sulfur springs all around. The director of the aquamarine was gracious enough to explain the sustainable initiatives that the owner personally endorses.

Here are just a few of the things they have implemented:
-They voluntarily post their water consumption used daily
-They have temperature and humidity systems that automatically control the building heating/cooling.
-They mandate recycling in and around the facility
-They have contests for new sustainable initiatives they can implement
-The staff turns off electronics that are not in use for long periods of time like TVs, and computer monitors

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Sustainable Practices on Waiheke Island:
Water cisterns were used on practically every house.

Fishermen throw the fish they catch back into the water to preserve the natural ecosystem.

The natives willingly partake in recycling practices.

Dual-flush toilets were in use all over the island.

Iron Bank, Auckland, New Zealand

This mixed-use commercial building in the heart of Auckland has a 5 star rating from the Australian Greenstar rating system.

We were also able to see the automated car park in action.  It is located underground to maximize the building space.  The mixed-use complex has beautiful architectural properties, however, the economy has left most of the units still un-leased today.

Monday, Jan 3 2011 (Auckland, New Zealand)

Visit to Stanley Group

Stanley Group specializes in innovative design projects in New Zealand, both commercial and residential.  For example, they have done projects such as KFC, ski fields, Starbucks, residential homes, golf courses, and schools.

Gary Caufield discussed with us the “leaking building” issues all over the island due to untreated timber being used from about 1983 to present.

Currently, untreated timber can still be used for developing in New Zealand because there is no regulation preventing developers from continually using it.  As we see in the states, Gary confirmed that developers in New Zealand usually look for the cheapest way to develop, not necessarily the most sustainable way.

Stanley group’s latest cost saving innovation was to start building wall panels first and then slide the floor panels in because it keeps weight down and uses less timber.