University of Auckland's B201 wins local and global awards

B201 has fast become a favourite meeting point for students and staff, even for people outside the three faculties it houses.

The reinvigorated building, with design by Jasmax and engineering by Beca, is also winning plaudits from outside the University.

On 15 May, at the New Zealand Architecture Awards for the Auckland region, the revamped building on 10 Symonds Street was a winner in the Education section and will now go forward to the National Awards.

It has been well-publicised that the building is a shining example of sustainable refurbishment and achieved a 6 Green Star rating for its design, but the Auckland Architecture Award judges highlighted another feature that is equally important.

“The repurposed structure has elevated the mana of the adjoining Waipapa Marae and Fale Pasifika, and recentred the Ngāti Whatua whenua on which the University stands.

“Once hidden from view by the blocked hulk that was the former School of Social Sciences, B201 brings the University’s key Indigenous spaces into view.”

The citation also included part of Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh’s poem, written when B201 was officially opened in September 2023.

Our B201 landing ramp
Forged in Waipapa’s backyard,
Flows to our Marae and our Fale
Linking Symonds Street to Wynyard

(Read the full poem here.)

B201, which is nine floors high and 41.5m, also recently won two International Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat awards, the Repositioning Award of Excellence, reflecting its sustainable refurbishment, and the Systems Award of Excellence.

The Repositioning Award, formerly known as the Renovation Award, recognises projects that undergo upgrades that innovatively extend the life cycle of the building, through re-use and technical solutions.

The Systems Award reflects the adoption of innovative methods to enhance a building’s space for its occupants. This includes mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sustainability, energy generation and indoor air quality features. To be considered, the building must demonstrably advance innovations in systems engineering in an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable fashion.

On average, B201 uses a third of the energy of equivalent-sized New Zealand buildings through its ‘passive house’ design principles.

Simon Neale, the University of Auckland’s Chief Property Officer, says global recognition of Waipapa Taumata Rau’s most significant sustainable building project is heartening.

“Every day we are seeing people really enjoying the spaces we’ve created, but it’s also great to know it is being recognised by industry bodies as well,” says Simon.

“This project showcases how we can, where suitable, avoid knocking down our existing spaces and, instead, adapt and reuse them, massively slashing our carbon emissions while creating spaces fit for the future.”

“To meet our climate change goals and create a zero-carbon future, we need more of the leadership and partnership demonstrated in the construction of this world-leading innovative building.”