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The National Bank has opened what it says is New Zealand's first environmentally sustainable bank branch.
The new building in Blockhouse Bay was constructed with renewable materials and has solar panels, a rainwater tank, a rain garden, a compost bin and recycled artworks.
The National Bank's retail managing director, Jenny Fagg, said the environmental savings from the building were already impressive. Water consumption had been halved by recycling rainwater, and energy consumption for air conditioning was reduced by about 19 per cent, lowered by such strategies as reflective roofing and exterior sunshades.
Total branch energy consumption had been calculated at 88 kilowatts per square metre, well below the 120 kWh/m set by the Green Building Council for buildings eligible for a Green star rating.
