Previously the Chief Post Office, the 40m high building - which is constructed from concrete, stone aggregate and narrow glass inserts - forms a large, robust and articulated structure within the city.

When it came to redeveloping the building, environmental sustainability and durability were key considerations, as was the use of local sustainable and low-VOC materials.

These,  along with many other initiatives, have helped make the Civic Building the 'greenest' building in New Zealand to date.

The interior of the Civic Building is dominated by a neutral palette, with colours such as off-white, grey and black used alongside natural timber finishes.

To counteract and balance the predominantly neutral palette, colour was introduced in the carpet, joinery and soft finishes, with each level in the building given its own unique colour scheme within an overall, seasonally influenced framework.