656 Great South Road is a commercial office redevelopment located in the business precinct of Ellerslie, Auckland. Designed by FORMiS for Mansons TCLM, the project involved a comprehensive façade refurbishment to reposition the building visually and technically within the competitive commercial market.

KFI was engaged to deliver the façade upgrade, comprising full-height commercial glazing and a suite of aluminium cladding panels. The new façade significantly enhances natural light penetration and improves thermal performance across all levels, aligning the building with contemporary sustainability and comfort expectations.

The architectural intent focused on re-establishing a clean, modern identity while retaining a sense of continuity with the original structure. The refined cladding and glazed elements introduce sharp, linear detailing and material contrast, creating a strong street presence without overwhelming the building’s existing scale or proportions.

Internally, selected original features have been preserved, creating a deliberate juxtaposition between old and new. The outcome is a balanced integration of performance and aesthetics — delivering long-term value through environmental efficiency, enhanced user comfort, and an upgraded visual profile.