Our building
Scott Construction’s new Nelson headquarters is a proud reflection of the company’s people, craft, and future direction.
Bringing together office and workshop spaces in one cohesive development, the building feels both practical and welcoming. Designed to support day-to-day work while presenting a clear, confident identity. It’s a space that not only works hard but looks the part, balancing durability with a warm, modern feel.
Connecting ideas and execution
The project was developed as two complementary buildings: a two-storey office alongside a purpose-built workshop. Each has been designed around how it’s used, with the office focused on connection, natural light, and shared spaces, while the workshop prioritises efficiency and robustness. Together, they create an easy flow between planning and doing, reflecting the way Scott Construction operates in practice.
Engineering workshop
The adjacent 1,040m² workshop continues the architectural language with five-ribbed metal cladding and clear roof panels that invite daylight into the space. Solar panels line the roof, supporting energy efficiency and reinforcing the project’s environmental ambitions. A break room and outdoor deck offer a change in pace for users.
CLT
A standout feature of the office is its use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). The exposed timber structure adds warmth and character, while also making the building’s construction visible.
Alongside laminated veneer lumber (LVL), CLT brings both strength and sustainability benefits, offering a smart, modern alternative to more traditional materials.
Greenstar
Sustainability has been a key focus throughout, with the project achieving a 5 Green Star – Design & As Built v1.1 Certified Design Rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council. Assessed under the Green Star rating system, this rating recognises strong performance across energy use, materials, indoor environment quality, and emissions. A 5 Star rating represents “New Zealand Excellence,” highlighting a commitment to creating a healthier, more efficient workplace for the long term.
Tai Pari & Tai Timu
High Tide & Low Tide
Located in the reception and welcoming area of the new Scott Construction offices, Tai Pari & Tai Timu are a pair of stylised hoe urungi (steering paddles) by kaitoi Kahu Paki Paki (Te Ātiawa) and Isaac Andersen (Ngāti Kuia).
Traditionally used on ocean‑going waka haurua, the hoe urungi reference the rhythm of high and low tides, and symbolise leadership, knowledge, and collective effort. In the hands of the navigator, they set direction and guide movement toward a shared purpose; a reminder that progress is achieved through coordination and working together.
Located beside Te Pūaha Waimeha / Waimea Inlet and the Arapiki Stream, the building occupies land that was once part of a tidal estuary and used by local hapū for the harvesting and processing of harakeke. The paddles respond directly to this history of water and movement, linking the building and its people to place, and reinforcing the idea of journeys taken together — he waka eke noa.
Art by: Tātou Studios
