A new direction

Auckland Savings Bank (ASB) engaged BVN to design a new headquarters on Auckland’s waterfront in the burgeoning Wynyard Quarter. The move from the CBD to the water’s edge marked the culmination of a sea change in the bank’s priorities, with sustainable design and the well-being of both staff and the wider environment at the forefront of its vision for the future.

The guiding philosophy behind BVN’s unique design mirrors ASB’s focus on innovation, teamwork and sustainability. Its bold and eclectic aesthetic draws inspiration from the wharves of Waitematā Harbour and the ecology of the wild north coastline beyond.

A new anchor for an old port

The ASB site is a long rectangle divided towards the eastern end by Waikokota Lane, an essential part of the waterfront laneway network. BVN amplified the organisation imposed by the laneway, dividing the building into two forms, reducing the overall volume and providing a visual and material break to the long north elevation. The lane was further embraced by using it as an entry point, a backdrop, and an opportunity to showcase the visual complexity and richness of the building crossing overhead.

Transparency as a design principle

ASB prides itself on a culture of transparency and inquiry, which is expressed in the expansive openness of its interior layout and the unadorned and expressive structure. Nowhere is transparency more apparent than in the theatre of movement through the building. As people traverse its many stairs and bridges, 

An activity-based, elastic workplace

The workplace is based on a network of ‘streets’ and ‘neighbourhoods’. While neighbourhoods are essentially team home bases, they are comprised of variously sized communal workstations and quiet zones. Each neighbourhood is identifiable by the colours of nautical flags, contributing to a sense of identity and team belonging.

Traversing the neighbourhood streets, staff will inevitably pass by the public ‘boathouses’ – shared work and social environments 

A sustainable success

A commitment to the health and well-being of people was at the heart of this design, guiding the predominant use of fresh-air ventilation. The geometrically diverse and visually rich central atrium threads its way through the two halves of the building. This multi-storey void, slightly staggered between floors, draws sea breezes in through the openable windows and out through a sculptural funnel - an abstraction of Auckland’s iconic Rangitoto volcano.

The distinctive rooftop light reflector directs daylight at multiple angles deep into the interior. Apart from referencing the industrial architecture that once dominated the precinct, the rooftop funnel and reflector have an emblematic quality – symbolising a place that marks the junction between land and sea.

The combined use of natural ventilation, solar control, natural light and water harvesting overlaid on a dynamic and democratic workplace, established a new benchmark for sustainable commercial buildings.

A globally significant achievement

The impact of ASB in realising the Wynyard Quarter vision can be seen in the precinct today, where new buildings continue to be established and the streets and laneways buzz with cafes and bars. Its indelible presence and contribution to neighbourhood-making have amplified the harbourside quarter’s potential. Its forward-looking design proudly asserts the presence of the bank in this location and marks the transformative move it made away from traditional office practices, processes and philosophy. The ASB North Wharf project is the result of a sincere, long-term process of change, one that the ASB hopes will continue to contribute positively to the future of Auckland.

"ASB North Wharf is one of the most advanced commercial buildings of its type globally. The guiding philosophy behind the building’s unique design mirrors ASB’s focus on the principles of innovation, teamwork and sustainability.

The interior of ASB’s new corporate headquarters has been specifically designed to promote a sense of activity and well-being for our people. For example, physical transparency offers unobstructed views into and through the building providing a spacious, naturally-lit working environment. At the same time, the expansive design breaks down traditional workplace barriers and offers new levels of flexibility and mobility. In addition, the building’s large open atrium and wide variety of informal gathering and meeting environments naturally draw people and teams together for the sharing of information and ideas.

These features combine to enable ASB people to work with each other in new ways to deliver truly unbeatable service to our customers and communities. ASB has long been known for our desire to innovate and challenge convention. Our new home, ASB North Wharf, will undoubtedly play a major role in helping us to continue to build on this heritage long into the future."

- Barbara Chapman, Former ASB CEO