Future ready - the largest mass timber office building in New Zealand
90 Devonport Road
For a country rich in timber, particularly softwoods, our building industry hasn’t always kept pace with the international adoption of mass timber structures. The projects completed to date have largely been highly specialised and have attracted a significant price premium.
To combat this, we adopted a ‘timber-first’ design approach – where every decision was informed by the properties of the material and the feasibility of the project, to ensure that we didn’t ‘design-in’ unnecessary complexity. As a result, 90 Devonport Road represents a repeatable commercial typology and a step change in cost-neutral carbon reduction.
Delivered on time and under budget, the project showcases how prefabrication, early collaboration, and a bold shift away from traditional steel and concrete can reduce environmental impact while maintaining quality, speed, and cost-efficiency.
With Tauranga City Council as occupier, and the Bay of Plenty being central to New Zealand’s forestry and wood processing industry, the scheme utilises timber for sustainability, for wellness and for the opportunity to celebrate the identity of the region.
Built through strong partnerships and a kitset approach from structure to fitout, the building demonstrates how innovation in design and delivery can be scaled nationally. Fully leased by Tauranga City Council, 90 Devonport Road proves that timber construction is not just viable, it’s the future of high-performance commercial development in Aotearoa.
We wanted to push the boundaries to design a wholly sustainable, future-focused workplace which maximises the use of natural materials such as the exposed timber columns which celebrate the uniqueness of the building.
90 Devonport Road offers a true post-Covid workplace, creating a destination, and offering a point of difference from standard office environments. It’s an exemplar in responsible development, creating an environment to be proud of.
Collective Effort
Collective Effort
