Tauriko Business Estate names Cubro winner of annual building design award

Natural sustainable products and materials, a dynamic activity based working environment, a café with chef to provide complementary healthy food options for staff, an open-plan mezzanine, meeting ‘pods’, a retail showroom and an in-house gym are just some of the myriad of features that impressed the judges and secured Cubro’s new warehouse and office space in Tauriko Business Estate as the winner for the third year of the design awards.

The 5,000m2 warehouse, 1,800m2 open-plan office space, 600m2 workshop and 5,000m2 distribution yard was built by CBC Construction and Unispace handled the fit out. Unispace senior design director Sarah Langford says “We worked collaboratively with Cubro staff and the base building architects to challenge their previous way of working and integrate a building and interior space which reflected the Cubro values. They pride themselves on teamwork, integrity, compassion, family, innovation, giving and recognise that having a close knit team of people who are aligned with these values is the key to their success. The themes of the space are centered around the notion of mobility. Mobile office, mobile staff and enabling mobility in people through their healthcare products.”
It’s the third year in a row win for CBC Construction and managing director Drew Beekie says it’s indicative of the high calibre of people involved in their projects: “We’re extremely proud to have been involved in a building that is a prominent and unique identity both within the Tauriko Building Estate and the wider Bay of Plenty.”

The judges say the project stood out because of the care taken by Cubro to provide a dynamic environment for staff and customers. Andrew Collins from Harrison Grierson says: “We gave high scores for the aesthetics and innovation criteria in particular. The activity based working (ABW) environment, the quality furniture and furnishings along with the extensive use of technology to foster collaboration between staff, the staff café and gym all contributed to a very high quality workplace.”

Simon Clarke from Colliers International agrees: “In judging we noted the warehouse space is very functional and the showroom and office space were outstanding with a very open and comfortable/friendly feel. There has been considerable eye on the detail to make the staff feel special and to make Cubro a great environment to work in.”

“The building, in my opinion, could hold its head high on an international stage and is something to be truly proud of.”Rachel Emerson

Also joining the judging panel was Rachel Martin of Bubble Interiors who was impressed by the use of high quality materiality and attention to detail throughout: “It was great to see the provision of varied work settings together with a range of informal collaboration spaces encouraging a dynamic working style.”

Cubro’s Managing Director Logan Currie says they’re immensely thrilled to see their project come to life and be recognised in this way: “Our vision for the project was to create a world-class facility in which our business’s evolving needs would be accommodated and where our team could thrive in a positive, collaborative environment, keeping closely aligned with our values. This vision has been delivered beyond our expectations; our team is inspired every day to grow our business into world class, industry leaders, and see themselves as an inspiration to the community.”

Tauriko Business Estate Commercial Manager Rachel Emerson, who established the awards three years ago to showcase innovation, design and construction, says the Cubro project significantly contributes to the vibrant, high quality environment at Tauriko Business Estate: “The building, in my opinion, could hold its head high on an international stage and is something to be truly proud of – we are certainly delighted to have Cubro as part of the Tauriko Business Estate family.”

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