16 | Reducing carbon footprint Argosy Property s one of New Zealand’s largest commercial landlords. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Argosy Property T T Kelly Deeks Committed to laying the foundations for a better future for tenants, investors, communities, and the environment, Argosy Property is leading the way in sustainable, energy-efficient green buildings with a unique retro-fitting approach that helps Argosy Property and its tenants to reduce their carbon footprint. As one of New Zealand’s largest commercial landlords, Argosy Property owns, develops, and manages a $2 billion portfolio of high-quality industrial, office, and large format retail properties. This top four NZX property company is not only focused on achieving financial returns, but also on reducing its impact on the planet by working on green developments and leading the market in converting existing properties into green and energy-efficient buildings. More than 30% of its portfolio is currently in green-rated buildings, and Argosy Property is now working towards growing this to more than 50% by 2031. Argosy Property head of sustainability Saatyesh Bhana says as a result of its sustainability focus, the company can offer its tenants modern, innovative, and energy efficient spaces which help advance their productivity and sustainability aspirations. “We do sustainable buildings because they have better returns, lower operating costs, and they are better for the environment,” he says. “It’s all about the people. In this post-Covid market where we are trying to attract people back to the office, we’ve got to give them excellent space that makes it attractive to come into work.” Argosy Property is inciting workers out of their cold, draughty, high-energy homes with green buildings which reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste by incorporating eco-friendly features like solar panels, double-glazing, natural insulation, recycled materials, rain water harvesting, LED lighting, high performance facades, EV charging, and modern end of trip facilities. Argosy Property’s latest redevelopment has impressed not only its tenants, but also the expert judging panel from the prestigious Property Council New Zealand’s Property Industry Awards, where 8 Willis Street won the supreme award, the commercial office award, the heritage and adaptive use award, and an excellence award in sustainable building. Leveraging its experience with previous Green Star projects and capitalising on the learnings gained from its past 11 years of sustainable building, Argosy Property has created Wellington’s first 6 Green Star Built building with the integration and expansion of two properties at 8 Willis Street and Stewart Dawson’s Corner. This property is 18,700sqm of people-centred workspace and features a dynamic seismic bracing system which contributes not only to the building’s resilience, but also to meeting its target of zero embodied and operating carbon. The seismic damper system employed by Beca, which absorbs earthquake energy, saw the required number of dampers reduced from 40 to just 12, reducing the carbon intensity of construction materials and helping the building to achieve its 130% NBS rating. The building has also been given a NABERSNZ 5.5 Star rating for below average carbon emissions from energy consumption, thanks largely to an innovative mechanical design by Chris Rowe from COR Associates. T his bespoke system utilises simultaneous heating and cooling with reverse cycle chillers that provide free heating or cooling depending on their operating mode. With the mechanical system paired with the high performance, airtight thermal façade, the energy efficiency of this building sets a new market standard for the commercial building sector. Argosy Property is now working on future-focused brownfield industrial developments in two Auckland locations, targeting 6 Green Stars with large column-free warehousing with EV truck charging. Proudly supporting Argosy Property 09 393 5001 www.elumex.co.nz • Electrical Design & Installation • Service & Maintenance • Lighting & Automation • Data & Communications • Medical & Educational Facilities • Greenstar Rated Projects Elumex Electrical is an Auckland based company specialising in:
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