Sovereign House
Smales Farm Technology Office Park, Auckland

Sovereign's state-of-the-art headquarters at Smales Farm Technology Office Park combines an aesthetically striking design, environmentally friendly features and cutting edge technology.

Revolutionary and inspirational

In 2008 Sovereign House won a merit prize in the Property Council's commercial building awards, and an Institute of Architects national award. However, it isn't just one the most advanced office developments in New Zealand; Sovereign House is world class.

Architect James Grose was given a blank canvas and seized a rare opportunity to customise the workspace to the specific needs of his client. He designed the building around how each department operates and interacts.

Sustainable and spacious

The 14,500 sqm building's centrepiece is a stunning five-storey glazed atrium, providing an exciting space for staff to meet. There are open stairwells, glass lifts and elegant bridges spanning the atrium. The spaces have been deliberately designed to encourage informal meetings and traditional face-to-face communications.

Sovereign House's two signature features are twin 22m tall vertical bellows-style windows and multi-service chilled beams that combine air conditioning, lighting, power and IT; they remove the need for any suspended ceilings or major ductwork.

The building is sustainable – with rainwater recycling, large skylights to provide natural light and external sunscreens to prevent the building from overheating.

Sovereign – one of New Zealand's leading financial services companies and part of the ASB group – moved into its new headquarters in late 2007, bringing together 800 staff who had previously resided in several locations around central Takapuna.

Sovereign House showcases advanced 'green technology', with a chilled-beam air-conditioning system and a very economical main plant that also runs the Q4 Building.

Tenants

The ground floor of Sovereign House accommodates a state-of-the-art ShoreCare Accident & Medical Centre which operates 24 hours/7 days a week. The facility also houses Family Doctors and Horizon Radiology and to meet the needs of a modern workforce, a gymnasium and 900 sqm Child Pre-School Education facility which is licensed for 115 children.

Retail

Child Preschool Education
ShoreCare Accident & Medical
Family Doctors at Smales Limited
Horizon Radiology
Smales Farm Fitness

Commercial

Sovereign Insurance

"Revolutionary and experimental."
The New Zealand Herald, July 2008

"Sovereign House can stand alongside the small number of inspirational examples of office buildings from around the world."
John Hunt, Professor of Architecture, University of Auckland