OfficeMax

Overview

Adapting to the changing needs of the business and education sectors has been a feature of OfficeMax’s long and successful history in New Zealand. As the company has grown, so has its relationship with Goodman.

Challenge

A design-built facility at Highbrook Business Park, that allowed OfficeMax to integrate its head office functions with its distribution warehouse, was completed for the office supply company in 2008.

A functional and efficient building that facilitated staff interaction and provided high quality workspaces were key objectives in the design brief. Equally important was the desire to achieve a property solution that was environmentally sustainable and cost effective.

More than 10 years later the 18,900 sqm facility has been expanded to accommodate the customer’s e-commerce focused growth strategy. The project includes a large warehouse extension and new enclosed breezeway. With a constrained site area, existing parking and yard areas needed to be utilised with construction staged to enable OfficeMax to keep operating throughout the project.

Solution

The original office and warehouse were designed, to maximise operational efficiencies while meeting sustainable best practice guidelines. Natural materials were left in their raw state where possible and the building was orientated and designed to be energy efficient. 

Comprehensive onsite amenities were provided for staff and a ‘street like’ central atrium was created, forming a social heart through which all employees enter and circulate. In 2021 a new 7,500 sqm warehouse extension was completed with the existing yard being converted into a 6,500 sqm breezeway.

The project also included a solar energy system with an 780-panel photovoltaic array installed on the roof of the warehouse. With an annual generation capacity of 347,500 kWh the system is producing around 26% of the customer’s electricity, enough to power around 60 New Zealand homes for a year.