NZ’s first mass timber office block: 1,500 pieces of giant Lego

NZ’s first mass timber office block: 1,500 pieces of giant Lego
Willis Bond senior development manager Will Ellison says wood is best (Image: NZME)
Andrea Malcolm
The developer of New Zealand’s biggest mass timber office block, which will house Tauranga City Council, says nothing comes close to wood for reducing embodied carbon. The council’s new premises, due for completion next year, use 1,500 pieces of prefabricated engineered timber instead of traditional steel and concrete. Developed by Willis Bond, the eight-storey,10,000sq m building has half the embodied carbon – emitted through manufacture, transport and installation of building materials – of a traditional stee...

More Infrastructure

Developers make unsolicited bids for prime Chch rebuild site
Policy

Developers make unsolicited bids for prime Chch rebuild site

Crown Infrastructure Delivery is weighing up options for the massive site.

Oliver Lewis 28 Mar 2025
Govt support to unlock billions for community housing
Policy

Govt support to unlock billions for community housing

It's been called a watershed day for the community housing sector.

Oliver Lewis 27 Mar 2025
Plan change to boost 'capital city of growth' accelerated
Infrastructure

Plan change to boost 'capital city of growth' accelerated

Auckland Council has until May 30 to make decisions on a development-friendly plan change.

Oliver Lewis 26 Mar 2025
RMA replacements to end 'culture of no'
Policy

RMA replacements to end 'culture of no'

The Government looks to Japan as it unveils two replacement planning laws.

Oliver Lewis 24 Mar 2025