Fonterra South Bloc Office Fitout

Livingstone were engaged to complete the fitout of Level 1 and 2 for Fonterra’s new workplace hub at their prominent SouthBloc site. The design by Chow:Hill, in collaboration with Designwell, was inspired by rōhe of Waikato to connect Fonterra’s Hamilton workplaces to the Waikato land, people, and spirit of co-operation and innovation.

The project began with the demolition of the existing interior office space, followed by remediation and realignment of the space. This included the construction of a new ablution block, remediation of office, kitchen and end-of-trip spaces, plus outdoor shed upgrades, electric charger, and carpark upgrade. Extensive artwork and signage completed the modern and functional aesthetic of the office.

With sustainability a strategic priority for Fonterra, finding a way to reduce waste from the fitout was an important part of the project brief. At the completion of the project, the final diversion rate was 88.5%, with more than 18 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill, including close to 11 tonnes of demolition waste.

Sustainability efforts included recycling and donating cabinetry, bathroom fixtures, and carpet tiles, and collaborating with a previous client to incorporate internal glass walls and doors into a circular waste stream. Used plasterboard was also diverted for gypsum (sulphate-based mineral) recovery through the efforts of our Sustainability Lead, Marita Lavery.