Arup’s Adelaide tenancy is reimagining a heritage-listed site at 182 Victoria Square as a transformational, contemporary and culturally rich workplace. Designed to enhance wellbeing, productivity and collaboration, the fit-out is part of Arup’s global commitment to sustainability leadership. By pursuing and embedding the philosophies of the Living Building Challenge, the project aims to demonstrate how regenerative design can raise the bar for workplace interiors.

Arup’s new Auckland office, located in the historic Britomart precinct, is a living, sustainable workplace, targeting Living Building Challenge certification. The fit-out promotes occupant wellbeing through carefully vetted, non-toxic materials, extensive use of recycled and salvaged products, energy and water efficiency, and biophilic design that incorporates native plants and natural materials like ponga logs, kauri timber and river stones. Designed to use at least 35% less energy and 30% less water than a typical office, the project achieved a 99% construction waste diversion rate and offset the embodied carbon of its materials. The workplace is a living expression of Arup’s values and deep connection to Māori culture, shaped through co-creation with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and cultural advisors at Te Manu Taupua, resulting in a space that fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Arup’s new Brisbane workplace is an ambitious three-level fit-out in the CBD, aiming to achieve Living Building Challenge certification. Designed in collaboration with Hassell, Five Mile Radius, Blaklash and Buildcorp, the workspace reuses over 100 salvaged materials–including ripple iron, pine cores, green granite and invasive camphor laurel from the site. Biophilia is woven through the interior, with abundant greenery and a central meeting place reminiscent of the original creek on the site. Blaklash reimagined the space as an extension of the cultural landscape, where every element from wayfinding to furniture speaks to Country, while the open, expansive layout creates opportunities for gatherings, dialogue and collaboration.

Arup’s Perth workplace, located in the mezzanine of the city’s iconic Reserve Bank Building, is a warm and welcoming space designed to meet the rigorous demands of the Living Building Challenge. Developed in partnership with Walter Brooke, SHAPE Australia and specialist sub-contractors, the fit-out champions regenerative design through innovative use of materials and building systems. Salvaged timbers, marble offcuts, vintage furniture, and repurposed glass contribute to a low-carbon, circular interior. Mechanical fastenings have replaced harmful adhesives to eliminate Red List chemicals, while smart strategies have reduced water use by 30% and energy use by 35% compared to standard offices. Continuous air quality monitoring and low-toxicity materials further enhance occupant wellbeing. Crucially, the team forged stronger relationships with suppliers to navigate the LBC’s Materials Petal, demonstrating the value of transparency and collaboration in reshaping how buildings are made.

The Glenroy Community Hub sets a national precedent as the first community building in Australia to achieve Passive House Certification while targeting Living Building Challenge Petal Certification and Zero Energy Certification. These rigorous benchmarks support not only environmental performance, but also high-comfort, low-toxicity spaces that prioritise the health and wellbeing of users. Opened in May 2022, the Hub offers the City of Moreland community a nature-connected, welcoming place to learn, grow, and connect. Anchored by a new contemporary library, the hub brings together early years education, maternal and community health services, neighbourhood learning and childcare, framing the facility as a vital social connector.

Ngā Mokopuna is a marae-based tertiary education facility at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. This project reflects a deep commitment to regenerative practice and is rooted in the principles of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga—acting with greater care for people and the natural world. The three-storey, 3,000m² mass timber building encourages occupants’ interaction with the internal environment through biophilic design and connection to nature through natural light and ventilation. Housing a wharekai, teaching and seminar rooms, doctoral research spaces, and the School of Māori Studies, the building is powered by 481 rooftop solar panels, and operates solely on rainwater. Ngā Mokopuna is ultimately about making more conscious regenerative choices for the environment that will leave a legacy of learning, research, and opportunity for generations to come.