Whangārei Civic Centre

Babbage successfully contributed to the delivery of Whangārei District Council’s new Civic Centre - a landmark facility that unites Council staff, elected members, and the wider community in a sustainable, high-performance environment.

This completed four-storey, 7,800m² development features open-plan workspaces, Council chambers, and flexible retail/community areas, all designed to meet 5-Star Green Star standards and ready for future NABERSNZ certification.

Babbage’s Building Services and External Envelope teams collaborated to deliver a seamlessly integrated design response that supports operational excellence, resilience, and long-term energy efficiency.

Babbage Building Services provided:

• Comprehensive design across electrical, data, ICT, security, AV, mechanical, hydraulics, fire protection, and sustainability.

• Smart solutions including rainwater harvesting, rooftop solar, and responsive HVAC zoning.

• SmartAir-controlled fan coil systems, exposed services coordinated with architectural intent, and climate-responsive ventilation strategies.

• Advanced lighting integration combining task, accent, and ambient lighting with DALI, DMX, and sensor controls for both performance and spatial comfort.

Babbage External Envelope led the envelope design review and provided technical oversight throughout construction to ensure compliance, performance, and build quality for the building envelope. The team:

• Developed practical solutions that met New Zealand Building Code requirements while responding to complex design challenges.

• Coordinated detailing - such as waterproofing at exposed structural junctions - using 3D visual procedures to ensure clarity and buildability.