Right now the healthiest green building in Whangarei is Northland District Health Board's new administration centre which has received an award for its energy-efficient design.
Tohora House, the new two-level office building on Hospital Rd which opened last year, has been given a 4 Green Star Design rating for the architects Neil Wild and Associates' design with its built-in efficiency features.
They include the precast concrete building's high thermal stability with a cool interior in summer and warm in winter, extended overhangs for shade, heat-reflective glass coatings and energy efficient lighting systems.
Health board chief executive Nick Chamberlain said it was important to invest in a building that prioritised sustainability and efficiency.
"Tohora House exemplifies the benefits of well-planned new construction, bringing together formerly separate teams, providing the opportunity to operate as a 'whole of system' organisation, and saving costs," Dr Chamberlain said.