Generator

Generator, New Zealand's leading flexible workspace provider, partnered with RCP to help organise and deliver their first premises in Wellington at 30 Waring Taylor Street in the CBD. 

The former Dunbar Sloane office and auction house is a historic five-level building that underwent a complete transformation. Strengthened to achieve a 100% NBS (New Building Standard) rating, it received comprehensive structural and services overhauls and a modern interior upgrade that championed the natural materials of the original building. The refurbished building now offers 2,450m² of premium shared working space, featuring breakout zones, chill-out spaces, cutting-edge meeting and event suites, and a fully licensed bar.

The project faced complexities commonly associated with refurbishing historic buildings. The building was listed on Wellington City Council's earthquake-prone building register and required the considered management of:

• Preserving the existing masonry façade without alteration

• Contaminated soil

• A dilapidated basement waterproofing membrane

• Old and inaccurate as-built drawings

• Shared party walls with adjacent buildings

• Restricted site access

Another priority was managing and mitigating construction activities' impact on neighbouring businesses and local stakeholders.

The project achieved impressive sustainability ratings, including a 5-Star NABERSNZ rating and a 5-Star GreenStar Design & As-Built rating. These were obtained by implementing various design and compliance pathways aligned with Generator's sustainability and environmental goals. Measures included sustainable product selection, increased bicycle parking facilities, energy-efficient lighting installation, improved indoor air quality, and enhanced monitoring of mechanical systems.

Through change and risk management discipline, and close collaboration between all project stakeholders (including the Wellington City Council), the project overcame its many challenges to deliver a building that preserves a vital part of Wellington's urban heritage and provides the foundation for small Wellington businesses to grow into the future.