CASE STUDY

The Pacifica Tower

The Pacifica – Elevating Auckland’s Skyline with KOROK

Standing at 178 meters and reshaping the Auckland skyline, The Pacifica is New Zealand’s tallest residential tower. This iconic 57-story structure, designed by Plus Architecture and developed by Hengyi, was brought to life by one of New Zealand’s largest construction firms, Icon. With 273 luxurious apartments ranging from one-bedroom units to super-penthouses, The Pacifica is not just a solution to Auckland’s residential housing shortage but also a cornerstone for the rapid gentrification of its district.

The Pacifica – Elevating Auckland’s Skyline with KOROK

Standing at 178 meters and reshaping the Auckland skyline, The Pacifica is New Zealand’s tallest residential tower. This iconic 57-story structure, designed by Plus Architecture and developed by Hengyi, was brought to life by one of New Zealand’s largest construction firms, Icon. With 273 luxurious apartments ranging from one-bedroom units to super-penthouses, The Pacifica is not just a solution to Auckland’s residential housing shortage but also a cornerstone for the rapid gentrification of its district.

The Pacifica – Elevating Auckland’s Skyline with KOROK

Standing at 178 meters and reshaping the Auckland skyline, The Pacifica is New Zealand’s tallest residential tower. This iconic 57-story structure, designed by Plus Architecture and developed by Hengyi, was brought to life by one of New Zealand’s largest construction firms, Icon. With 273 luxurious apartments ranging from one-bedroom units to super-penthouses, The Pacifica is not just a solution to Auckland’s residential housing shortage but also a cornerstone for the rapid gentrification of its district.

Architectural Vision

The Pacifica’s design, inspired by Auckland’s network of laneways and expansive blue skies, features a unique transition from a darker, intricate lower half to a lighter, open upper half. Plus Architecture’s creative lead, Ian Briggs, highlights the meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the glasswork that transitions from granular at the lower levels to more serene as it reaches the skyline. The building not only harmonizes with the street-level environment but also establishes a distinct presence in Auckland’s evolving cityscape.

Awards and Recognition

The Pacifica has garnered significant acclaim, including:

• 2023 Concrete NZ Awards – Nauhria Premier Concrete Award – Winner

• 2022 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards – Residential – Gold
• 2021 International Property Awards: Asia Pacific – Best Apartment/Condominium New Zealand Award – Winner
• 2021 Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards – Multi-Unit Residential Property Award – Winner

KOROK’s Contribution

KOROK played a crucial role in ensuring The Pacifica’s safety and sound insulation by supplying all the fire and acoustic rated panels used in the lift shafts, risers, and ducts

Architectural Highlights

The Pacifica integrates luxury and functionality across its 273 apartments. Upper-level units feature winter gardens that provide a buffer between residents and the outside environment, echoing the sense of a traditional front garden. The interiors reflect contemporary New Zealand design with natural materials and darker timbers, creating a warm, sheltering atmosphere.

The Pacifica stands as a testament to modern residential architecture, combining luxury living with practical urban solutions. KOROK’s fire and acoustic rated panels played an essential role in this landmark project, reflecting our commitment to delivering high-performance building solutions. This project underscores our dedication to enhancing safety, efficiency, and comfort in luxury residential construction.

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CASE STUDY

BNZ Place: A Testament to Innovation and Sustainability

After nearly four years of design and construction, BNZ Place at 1 Whitmore Street in Wellington is officially open. This 12-storey, 17,000m² building, a collaborative effort between Studio Pacific Architecture and Jasmax, epitomizes practical and purposeful workplace design, combining sustainability, wellbeing, and functionality.

Seismic Resilience and Safety

BNZ Place is one of the most seismically resilient buildings in New Zealand, featuring base isolation to protect against significant structural damage during earthquakes. Raised on a plinth to minimize flood risks and supported by piles extending 60 meters below ground, the building exceeds seismic strength requirements with an NBS rating above 180%.

Innovative Features and Sustainability

Targeting a 5 Green Star As-Built rating, BNZ Place incorporates high-performance solar control glass, energy-efficient systems, and a structural steel diagrid. Efficient floorplates, a double-height entry lobby, inter-floor stairs, and a rooftop courtyard contribute to its state-of-the-art design.

KOROK’s Contribution

KOROK played a crucial role in the construction of BNZ Place by supplying fire and acoustic walls for lift shafts, risers, and ducts. KOROK panels offer significant advantages over traditional construction, as they can be installed from one side only, eliminating the need for scaffolding inside shafts and reducing construction time and costs. Additionally, KOROK panels can be installed before the structure is watertight, preventing water ingress through open shafts.

A Collaborative Effort

The project involved collaboration with various stakeholders, including Newcrest LP, the developer behind the building. CEO Dan Huggins emphasized BNZ’s commitment to Wellington and its future. “BNZ Place reflects our commitment to the city and our vision for the future. We are thrilled to share this vibrant and innovative space with our customers, colleagues, and the people of Wellington,” he said.

BNZ Place at 1 Whitmore Street symbolizes resilience, innovation, and sustainability. With its doors now open, it stands as a testament to collaboration, forward-thinking design, and a commitment to a better future for Wellington.

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CASE STUDY

Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre

Situated directly across from the New Zealand Museum, Te Papa, Tākina is a modern facility spread across three floors. The upper levels offer extensive conference spaces accommodating up to 1600 delegates, while the ground floor is dedicated to international and domestic exhibitions. Built to a 5-Star Greenstar standard, Tākina exemplifies sustainable building practices in New Zealand. We commend LT McGuinness Ltd for their exceptional leadership and execution throughout the Tākina project. Their focus on quality, safety, and innovation ensured that Tākina achieved high standards in fire safety, acoustic control, and construction efficiency.

Project Highlights:

• Earthquake Protection: Tākina’s structural resilience is ensured by 32 base isolators, allowing for movement up to 750mm in any direction.
• Innovative Design: The building features an expansive curtain wall, curved entries, and large stud heights, which posed unique construction challenges that were successfully managed.
• Health and Safety: Despite the complexities, the project saw no major accidents, highlighting the effectiveness of rigorous health and safety protocols.
• Budget and Timeline: With a transparent tender model and precise planning, the project was completed within budget and on schedule, despite market fluctuations.

KOROK Contribution

• Product Supplied: 78mm Panels Gen 2
• Service Provided: Lift Shafts, Risers, Ducts Fire and Acoustic Rated Protection

KOROK is proud to have supplied our 78mm Panels Gen 2 for the Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. Our participation in this project enabled us to enhance the efficiency of both the design and construction phases.

Key Features and Benefits of KOROK Panels:

• Single-Side Installation: Panels can be installed from one side only, eliminating the need for scaffolding inside the shaft, which reduces construction time and costs.
• Early Installation: KOROK panels can be installed before the structure is fully watertight, helping to prevent water from entering the building through open shafts.
• Cost and Time Efficiency: The innovative design of KOROK panels streamlines the construction process, resulting in faster program times and overall cost savings.

The Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases modern architectural design and the performance of KOROK products. By choosing KOROK, LT McGuinness Ltd ensured that Tākina met high standards of fire safety, acoustic control, and construction efficiency. We are pleased to have contributed to this significant project, enhancing Wellington’s skyline and setting a benchmark in sustainable construction. For more information on how KOROK can enhance your next project, please contact us.

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CASE STUDY

Voco-HIE Hotel

KOROK® was involved in the construction of a dual-branded hotel in Auckland’s Central Business Precinct. Located at the corner of Albert and Wyndham Streets, this project, led by Icon NZ, began in 2019 and was completed in December 2021. The VOCO-HIE development is a 38-story building, standing approximately 135 meters tall, making it one of New Zealand’s tallest structures. The building offers expansive views across Waitemata Harbour and Mount Eden, featuring a modern design.

Building Design and Features

The dual-branded hotel includes:

• A 4-story glazed podium with separate entries for both hotels.
• Guest services such as an all-day restaurant, bar, fitness center, and retail spaces.
• 294 Holiday Inn Express rooms on the lower floors.
• 200 VOCO Hotel rooms on the upper floors.

The VOCO brand, chosen by global hotel operator IHG, emphasizes sustainability through initiatives like recycling plastic bottles for bedding and using honey from onsite bees. The Auckland VOCO hotel continues these practices, alongside the ‘Me Time’ concept focusing on premium beds, superior showers, user-friendly technology, and innovative lighting.

KOROK®’s Contribution

KOROK® provided high-performance fire and acoustic wall systems for the VOCO-HIE development. Key highlights include:

• Fire Protection: KOROK® systems offer up to a 2-hour fire rating, ensuring strong fire safety.
• Acoustic Performance: The systems exceed the minimum STC 55 rating for hotels, achieving an STC 63 rating, ideal for ensuring a quiet environment for guests.
• Design and Installation: KOROK®’s interlocking panels simplified and sped up installation, reducing labor costs and construction time. The panels’ clip-together design allowed for easy installation by a small crew, with comprehensive installation guides and on-site training provided.
• Space Efficiency: The small footprint of KOROK® panels maximized usable floor space, offering developers greater flexibility in building design and planning.

Environmental Commitment

KOROK® panels were manufactured in New Zealand from locally sourced materials and were custom-made to minimize waste. They are fully recyclable and reusable, aligning with the sustainable ethos of the VOCO brand.

Collaboration and Innovation

KOROK® and Icon NZ collaborated closely to devise solutions for lift shafts and staircases, reflecting a commitment to quality and innovation in construction.

KOROK® was proud to contribute to the VOCO-HIE dual-branded hotel project, providing high-performance fire and acoustic wall systems that supported the building’s design and sustainability goals. This project showcased KOROK®’s dedication to quality and innovative building solutions.

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CASE STUDY

Wellington Airport Control Tower 

Wellington Airport welcomed a new state-of-the-art air traffic control tower in August 2018, designed to handle the airport’s demanding operations with over 97,000 flights annually. Standing 32 metres tall, the tower provides panoramic views across the airfield, ensuring air traffic controllers have optimal visibility to manage air traffic safely and efficiently.

This iconic structure is one of New Zealand’s safest buildings, meeting 100% of the building code for its importance level. The tower’s base includes 13 advanced base isolators to deliver superior earthquake resilience, a critical feature in Wellington’s seismic environment.

KOROK® Systems for Lift Shafts, Risers, and Ducts

KOROK® was proud to contribute to this project, supplying 78mm fire-rated acoustic panels for the lift shafts, risers, and ducts. Our systems are specifically designed to streamline construction and improve safety on site. By allowing installation from just one side, scaffolding inside the shaft is not required, reducing both construction time and costs.

Our panels offer superior fire resistance, acoustic performance, and seismic resilience, making them the ideal solution for high-importance structures like the Wellington Airport control tower.

Why KOROK®?

• Efficient Installation: No need for internal scaffolding, speeding up project timelines.
• Superior Fire Protection: KOROK® systems ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.
• Acoustic Performance: Helps to minimize noise pollution in critical areas like lift shafts and risers.
• Seismic Resilience: Engineered for enhanced stability in earthquake-prone zones.

The Wellington Airport control tower is a landmark project, showcasing KOROK®’s capabilities in delivering advanced, resilient building systems for critical infrastructure.

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High Performing and Lightweight

KOROK® 78mm galv panels are precision rollformed from high-quality zinc-coated steel strips. The steel used for our shells meets the AS/NZS1397:2001 standard, ensuring consistent strength and durability. Each panel features a base metal thickness of 0.4 mm B.M.T. with a Z275 zinc coating, enclosing a lightweight aerated concrete core. This combination delivers a nominal weight of just 10.2 kg per lineal metre, making KOROK® panels easy to handle and install while maintaining exceptional structural performance.

Our panels are designed for versatility and high performance, offering superior fire and acoustic ratings for a wide range of applications. They provide fast, efficient installation with minimal on-site modifications, reducing labour costs and program delays. The lightweight nature of KOROK® panels also eases transport and handling, particularly on multi-storey construction projects.

Backed by over 20 years of experience, KOROK® panels are BRANZ-appraised, Kiwi-owned, and widely trusted across New Zealand for projects ranging from residential developments to complex commercial constructions. Our systems are designed to simplify installation, maximise safety, and deliver long-lasting performance, making KOROK® the preferred choice for builders, architects, and developers seeking reliable fire and acoustic wall solutions.

CASE STUDY

KOROK Fire and Acoustic Wall Systems at Tūranga Library, Christchurch

KOROK proudly contributed to the Tūranga Library project in Christchurch, New Zealand, which opened its doors in October 2018. As a replacement for the Christchurch Central Library, which was damaged during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Tūranga stands as a modern architectural masterpiece. Designed by New Zealand firm Architectus in collaboration with the award-winning Danish firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, the library’s striking design reflects the golden hues of Christchurch’s Port Hills. KOROK’s fire wall and acoustic wall systems were installed in the building’s lift shafts, risers, and ducts, providing superior fire protection and sound insulation to support the library’s functional and safety needs.

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Fire and Acoustic Rated Wall Systems for Shafts, Risers, and Ducts

KOROK® fire and acoustic rated wall systems offer superior solutions for lift shafts, risers, and ducts. Lift shafts require fire and acoustic rated protection to ensure building safety. With our innovative panel design, you can install from one side only, eliminating the need for internal scaffolding and significantly reducing construction time and costs.

Key Advantages:

• Single-side installation: No scaffolding required inside the shaft, speeding up the construction process.
• Fire and acoustic performance: Our systems provide high-level fire resistance and acoustic insulation, ensuring safety and comfort. For lift shafts, this fire and acoustic rated protection is critical.

KOROK Lift Shaft, Risers, Ducts Systems