48 | CONSTRUCTION Alaska Construction & Interiors � Kelly Deeks Sustainability foremost in renovation The five-storey Stantec Building at 105 Carlton Gore Road has undergone a full-scale refurbishment. “Our diverse workforce and supply chain has been a real strength of Alaska, and it’s contributed to the success of this project.” Alaska Construction and Interiors is celebrating its Gold Award success at the 2025 Commercial Project Awards for its role in transforming a tired Newmarket office block into one of New Zealand’s most sustainable workplaces. The five-storey Stantec Building at 105 Carlton Gore Road has undergone a full-scale refurbishment, shifting from dated B-grade office space to a high-performing, 6 Green Star rated commercial hub. Owned by Argosy Property Limited, the multi-million-dollar project has set a new benchmark in sustainable retrofit, balancing environmental responsibility with tenant wellbeing. For Alaska, the award is recognition of both technical ingenuity and its values-driven approach. Project manager Bob Marshall says the construction challenges required plenty of Kiwi resourcefulness. “The slab couldn’t support a crane, which meant we had to develop a bespoke scaffolding system with a monorail,” he says. “Everything came in on four-tonne trucks or smaller, and even the façade was hoisted into place rather than craned. From demolition through to rebuild, the methodology had to be rethought. Carting materials across site was done in the old Kiwi way with a ute and trailer. It was classic number-8 wire problem solving.” The project was delivered while keeping sustainability front and centre. With construction and demolition waste accounting for a significant portion of global carbon emissions, Alaska maximised reuse opportunities. 94% of demolition material was diverted from landfill, and the majority of the original structure retained. “We see sustainability, not just in terms of environmental impact, but also in how we build our teams,” Bob says. “We’ve worked hard to bring local Māori and Pasifika businesses into our supply chain. Our diverse workforce and supply chain has been a real strength of Alaska, and it’s contributed to the success of this project.” The result is a 5267sqm workplace designed for longevity and resilience. Energy efficiency is embedded throughout, with 64.8kW of rooftop solar panels supplying around 30% of base building power, EV charging across 10% of car parks, and advanced heating and cooling systems removing the need for gas boilers. The façade achieves 99% air-tightness, delivering comfort while cutting energy use. Argosy made a deliberate decision to refurbish rather than demolish, recognising that reusing and upgrading an existing building was far more sustainable than starting from scratch. The approach aligned with the company’s broader green agenda, allowing it to minimise embodied carbon while delivering a high-performing, future-fit workplace. The 6 Green Star rating provides confirmation that the project has met its environmental goals and delivered on its promise of reduced impact. Architectural firm DGSE brought biophilic design principles into the redevelopment, with a green processional entry and light-filled interiors designed to entice people back to the office in a post-Covid environment. The Stantec Building now houses tenants including Stantec, Harbour Cancer & Wellness, and Colgate-Palmolive, with 300-450 people using the space daily. Bob says the project is already being referenced across the industry as a case study in sustainable retrofit. “With a highly engaged client, clear vision, and cohesive team, we’ve proved what can be achieved when ambition meets collaboration. This building is not just a workplace – it’s a template for the future.”
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