Colourful B:Hive office in Auckland takes top honours at World Architecture Festival 2019

A stunning, colourful office project at Smales Farm in Auckland has taken top honours at the World Architecture Festival.

B:Hive, designed by BVN in association with Jasmax, has been voted the best office in the world.

The Offices Award winner was “unanimously agreed” between judges as an exemplary example of a sustainable and flexible workspace, where the “needs of the users inform the architecture”.

The judges praised the way the office is packed with state-of-the-art facilities, amenities and technology, all designed to deliver an environment that empowers and helps to grow regional businesses.

Jasmax project architect Cameron Pollock says the firm is “over the moon to have won the WAF award for B:Hive last night”.

“The co-working hub is an ground-up exemplar of the future of workplaces, and it’s a credit to our Smales Farm client’s progressive vision and our successful partnership with BVN Architecture that it’s been recognised on the world stage. We’re thrilled it joins our other WAF winner for this year, City Rail Link, which won the WAFX prize for Cultural Identity. Congratulations to our whole project team.”

The Jasmax design summary says the innovative and sustainable design of B:Hive reflects the client’s goal for the building – to create a broader co-working hub, “a far cry from a cold business park, which fosters place-making and connection”.

The five-level office spreads over 11,000 square metres and is connected by a lofty atrium with a bold sculptural staircase, which is surrounded by lush greenery at its base.

Floors have been designed for complete flexibility with re-locatable walls located around the perimeter – short-term leasing options are available.

Jasmax says the health of occupants was a primary consideration. “B:Hive prioritises not only physical but holistic wellness, with the atrium playing a central role. The connecting stair is located close to the entry, encouraging people to walk through the building and providing opportunities to engage, meet, observe and participate while also introducing a sense of delight.”

Already this year, the B:Hive project has won seven New Zealand awards, including the Commercial Office Property Award of Excellence at the Property Council NZ Industry Awards.

The Auckland City Rail Link project mentioned above was designed by Jasmax and Grimshaw in partnership with mana whenua.

Winners at the World Architecture Festival are announced over three nights – altogether 19 New Zealand projects have made the shortlist in a record-breaking year.

This article originally appeared in stuff.co.nz