Environmental Protection Authority

Offices and meeting rooms were clustered to the centre of the triangular floor plan to maximise the open-plan work-space areas and provide views across the whole floor. Glazed partitions increase the connectivity across the floor, and improves daylight penetration into the meeting rooms.

A different native tree has been introduced as part of the glazing manifestation pattern for each floor, with silhouettes of some of New Zealand’s extinct animal species located throughout the fitout as a reminder of the vulnerability of our wildlife and the importance of the work carried out at the EPA. The colour palette has been used as a subtle orientation device, with blue walls facing towards windows with green-belt views, and green walls facing windows with harbour views.

Environmentally sustainable design principles have been incorporated throughout the fitout, which has focused on energy efficiency and the use of sustainable materials. Environmentally preferable materials include cork, linoleum, bulletin board, timber veneer and low-emissivity MDF throughout. Structured planters across the tops of storage units bring a healthy dose of greenery into the workspace. Recycling and green compost bins have been built into the kitchen joinery.

Energy efficiency initiatives include lighting controls which incorporate both motion detection and daylight harvesting to minimise artificial lighting levels, specification of low energy long-life fluorescent and LED light fittings throughout, manual control air fans to meeting rooms, and point-of-use water heating for kitchens.

The fitout demonstrates that even with a modest budget, sensible planning and the careful application of a restrained palette of materials can deliver an efficient work-space and enhance the organisation’s identity.