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Grove Darlow & Partners – Level 9, 2 Commerce Street, Auckland. Grove Darlow & Partners had for some 9 years occupied office space in Shortland Street that was originally designed for a previous tenant. They had by default ended up in an environment that provided individual offices for all staff (both authors and support staff) and said nothing about its occupants. They sought to use the move to new premises as a mechanism to support change within their organization and to reinforce how they might be perceived by those outside their firm. Briefings were held with the 3 partners and when asked by the designers if there was any supporting collateral (marketing material, web site etc) that could be referenced in addition to the verbal brief, they were handed a white business card with “Grove Darlow and Partners” written in Times Roman font and told “this is it”. “We want a new workplace that is ‘chic industrial’ and not just another suspended ceiling and carpet office in Shortland Street” That was the brief. The new offices are located on level 9, 2 Commerce Street and benefit from expansive harbour and city views. Enclosed offices (with views) were a must have for both partners and solicitors with support staff to be located in a central open plan zone but not shut off entirely from natural light. The size of the floor (circa 500m2) and the need to provide so much cellular space which comprises 4 partner offices (with the possibility of becoming 6 by combining the lounge located between partner offices) and 8 solicitor offices, not to mention 3 meeting rooms and 6 support staff meant that the logical planning strategy was to utilize the base building planning grid and locate all offices and meeting rooms on perimeter walls / mullions. This leaves a primary circulation zone which wraps around a central support zone comprising open plan, 2 utilities areas and a secure reception / waiting area directly adjacent the meeting rooms. While it was imperative that there be a secure physical separation between the public and private / workspaces it was key to the overall plan that a direct visual link be maintained from the reception area through to the harbour views beyond. The staffroom also benefits from views into a landscaped area within the Britomart development. In keeping with the client brief for a ‘chic industrial’ aesthetic and the fact the building was still to undergo base building refurbishment it was decided not to install the dreaded suspended 1200mm 600mm suspended ceiling the client had referenced. The materials and finishes were kept restrained and minimal. White lacquer or powdercoat, polished or unfinished concrete, carpet tile and green tinted glass or acrylic. Upon arrival the lobby and reception / waiting areas are separated from the main office space by a lacquered panel wall, which incorporates both plain and textured panels and a new logo / signage designed specifically for the fit out (and now beginning to appear on Grove Darlow & Partners collateral). This sign is made up of routed green acrylic letters which protrude through the white panel wall – the detail is reflected in the adjacent reception desk – and hints at the green wall that lies beyond. Workspaces all benefit from carpet tiles underfoot, with offices and meeting rooms having a ‘traditional’ mineral fibre suspended ceiling for reasons of budget and acoustic / services requirements. The central open plan support areas are capped by a powdercoated metal linear ceiling that not only mirrors the extent of soft floor finishes below but serves a mechanism to provide some acoustic dampening. Primary circulation in all areas is polished concrete which is mirrored at high level by exposed concrete soffits / structure and services. The concept of a ‘green wall’ of plantscape along perimeter circulation is further enhanced by the choice of green tinted glazing to all office partitions. The ‘greenwall’ also serves to provide some privacy to open plan workstations – this sense of privacy was key given the move from individual offices to open plan. White was the colour of choice for powdercoat and general finishes as is provides a simple backdrop to the more rough and ready appearance of the exposed concrete and enhances the crispness of the ‘green wall’ (both real and glazed). “We love the love the feeling of space and light; every visitor comments favorably about it too. This and the slight 'edgy industrial' look responded perfectly to our original design brief to move away from the timber panelling / veneers and dusty law books.” Tim Allen – Partner – Grove Darlow & Partners “We have been very pleased with the end result in the design for our new offices. Culturally it was always going to be a big shift for us to move from an environment where all staff had their own office. We need not have worried as the staff and our clients love the layout and the industrial look. The design is functional as well aesthetically appealing. The team at Stack are to be congratulated. Stack have provided us with a work space which not only responds very well to our day to day functional requirements, but which is also a pleasure to work in.” David Morrison – Partner – Grove Darlow & Partners |
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