Livestock Improvement Corporation

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) delivers superior genetics and technology to dairy farmers in New Zealand and around the world. With 600 staff members located on its main campus in Newstead, on the outskirts of Hamilton, a central new hub was needed to encourage collaboration and interaction among the team.

Having worked with the co-operative for almost two decades, Chow:Hill Principal and Registered Architect, Arthur Joe, took on the challenge of providing a fresh public face for the organisation.

Carbon-free goal

The century-old organisation is acutely aware of its environmental responsibilities and, as a signatory to the Climate Leaders Coalition, has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2025.

To support this objective, Chow:Hill’s design incorporated environmentally sustainable measures including doubleglazing to reduce heat loss, LED lighting with motion detector control to minimise energy usage, incorporation of recyclable materials (carpet tiles, insulation, exterior envelope), elimination of gas cooking, and an air conditioning system which has the ability to operate on 100% fresh air.

A warm roof design was also incorporated to improve thermal efficiency, while EV charging spaces are available for staff and visitor vehicles. Infrastructure for future gray water and photo voltaic panels are included within the building and are expected to be online shortly.

Incorporating cultural design elements

Telling the organisation’s history and that of the surrounding land and iwi was an integral part of LIC’s hub. Chow:Hill engaged with a number of cultural advisors and artists to help imbue cultural thinking and appropriate artwork into, and around, the building.

Working closely with Cultural Ambassador, Norm Te Hira and Art Curator, Eugene Kara, Chow:Hill’s design was guided to align with a tikanga approach. Cultural expression is reflected in traditional timber carving, exterior paving, and glass manifestations on the front elevation. This continues within the building where timber panels by Maioha Kara, representative of tukutuku panels, are symbolic of the earlier history of the region.

A social and cultural heart

The resulting design is a showcase building sympathetic to LIC’s rural roots, and both a cultural and social heart for the co-operative’s campus. The inclusion of an open plan staff café ensures the intended collaboration and interaction among LIC employees is achieved.

Photography by: Amanda Aitken