Council walks the talk with an energy-astute building

Overview

Creating a stylish gateway to the district’s municipal precinct, the double-storeyed Kāpiti Coast District Council Civic Building in Paraparaumu embodies the Council’s energy efficient values.

Prior to 2012 the Council headquarters, originally a bank, lacked public amenities and faced a growing raft of performance problems including maintenance, flooding and seismic issues.

Four years ago, fuelled by its proactive approach to energy efficiency, the Council embarked on an $8 million upgrade of the property with sustainable building practice and energy incisive future-proofing at the core of the project.

Key sustainable features:

During the 2012 refurbishment a third of the existing building was demolished, the remainder was stripped out and an attractive double-storeyed extension added – the combined footprint of old and new is 2300 square metres.

All roofing material and aluminium window frames from the original structure were recycled along with 95 percent of its structural steel and 90 percent of cabling.

Today sustainable features at the Kāpiti Coast District Council Civic Building include:

• Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) air conditioning system and heat recovery system.
• Occupancy sensors to operate lights in meeting rooms.
• Atrium for natural light.
• Low flow water fittings.
• Double glazed northern windows with laminated cedar fins to create shade and reduce solar glare.
• Recycling facilities in kitchens to feed the Council worm farms.
• Shower, changing rooms, lockers and bike parks for staff.