NZ Post site a pleasing progression
The architect behind Wellington’s Bowen Campus refurbishment, David Giera, is beginning work on a new multimillion-dollar government property project.
Following his recent appointment as architectural design leader at Jasmax’s Wellington studio, Giera has added upgrading the New Zealand Post office on Waterloo Quay to his portfolio.
Argosy Property previously estimated that the reinstatement cost for the 7-24 Waterloo Quay property would be about $50 million, to repair building services and fit out levels one to four and level seven.
Giera said the NZ Post upgrade was ‘‘a natural progression’’ from his past projects, which involved updating historical Wellington buildings to meet the demands of the modern market.
‘‘There’s a nice trend there through my recent work.’’
He has designed office fitouts in several historic buildings and revamped them with new facades and earthquake strengthening.
In Wellington, he has worked on 15 Stout St, formerly known as Defence House and now home to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the National Library.
His Bowen Campus refurbishment of two notable 1960s buildings spanned 35,000 square metres of space and was designed to accommodate a number of sizeable government tenants colocated within the buildings.
Giera also led the awardwinning led fitout of Trustpower’s new headquarters in Tauranga.
This project featured a central atrium and used a design strategy for activity based working, which is a way of designing the workplace to get people to connect and collaborate more successfully.
‘‘Architectural clarity and business clarity are one and the same objective,’’ Giera said, adding that this objective starts with understanding the client’s business at a strategic level.
‘‘All businesses are grappling with the disruptive forces of the digital era, and often the resulting evolution as a business leads to the need for a smarter, more adaptive working environment that can flex, support connectivity, and be a place where talented people want to work.’’
Wellington’s ongoing establishment as a creative hub means there is more emphasis on creating office space compatible with technology professionals and entrepreneurs.
Giera said that means more buildings offering hi-tech solutions and intelligent facade systems.
The popularity of adding atriums to office towers is particularly big in Wellington, he said.
‘‘In Wellington buildings these atria are in high demand because you get all the benefits of what feels like an external space but without having to deal with Wellington’s wonderful climate.’’
Jasmax associate principal Shauna Herminghouse leads the company’s Wellington studio alongside Giera, whom she said was ‘‘well-known for his innovative approach, strategic insights, and extensive experience’’.
Giera said his new role allows him to work on a wider range of projects at one time and gives him an opportunity to advise younger staff.