Athfield Architects Ltd.

Building 303

Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt

Building 303

Architectus

ARCHITECTS
Architectus

PHOTOGRAPHS
Simon Devitt

AREA
8800 M²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Auckland, New Zealand

CATEGORY
Campus, University

Text description provided by architect.

Building 303, located at the corner of Princes and Wellesley Streets in central Auckland.

The brief called for a full seismic upgrade as part of a complete refurbishment of the building that would feature various work space types, breakout spaces and research laboratories.

Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt

Extensive undergraduate laboratories are located at the upper level of the podium overlooking the Park to the west and the new Plaza Extension to the east.

Automated opening windows in the tower façade operate in conjunction with forced cool outdoor air reticulation via the existing services core risers to provide an effective low energy night purge cooling cycle utilising the building mass.

To optimise the cooling benefits much of the building’s structural concrete has been exposed in the refurbishment.

Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt

A new entry and transparent permeable edge to Princes Street replaces the original concrete balcony with its blank wall to the street. During the day opening windows allow occupants individual control of their personal environments.

Occupies an important gateway position at the interface between The University of Auckland’s City Campus and the CBD.

Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt

Significant work was undertaken to co-ordinate the various disciplines to ensure the large number of extract flues serving the labs could exit on the east side of the podium.

Above this new sunshades replace the original tower elements which were removed due to material degradation. In the centre of the tower facade.

Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt

Above the Plaza Extension ETFE roof and away from the Park to the west.

At level 4 of the tower a red vierendeel truss bridges the gap between building 303 and the adjacent building 301 further supporting social exchange and collaborative working across the different departments in each building.

Building 303
© Simon Devitt
Building 303
© Simon Devitt

A new entry and transparent permeable edge to Princes Street replaces the original concrete balcony with its blank wall to the street.

Facing Albert Park and the harbour beyond, a large 'balcony window' accommodates breakout spaces and allows views of the life of the campus within.

Building 303
© Simon Devitt


Building 303
Diagram
Building 303
Diagram


Building 303
Section
Building 303
Floor Plan

Athfield Architects Ltd.
T +64 3 3772007
Athfield Architects Ltd.
65 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand