Five years ago, STACK Interiors completed a landmark fit-out for the Southern Cross Health Society’s head office at Te Kupenga in Auckland. As a uniquely Kiwi organisation dedicated to the health of New Zealanders, Southern Cross required a workspace that could seamlessly balance a high-profile corporate reputation with a deeply felt internal culture of care, inclusion and wellbeing.
Recently, we returned to the 4,800sqm workplace to capture exactly how the environment has stood the test of time. As part of our ongoing series of five-year revisits, our goal is to demonstrate that exceptional design and delivery do not just look spectacular on day one; they continue to endure, function and inspire communities of people half a decade later.
A sanctuary in the city
Situated in the heart of the Wynyard Quarter on Fanshawe Street, the Southern Cross Health Society head office was intentionally designed to feel light, open and instantly welcoming. Stepping back into the space today, that initial vision remains strikingly intact. The environment retains a distinct sense of calm, intentionally oriented to harvest an abundance of natural light. The interior biophilic planting beautifully complements the established trees at eye level along the boundary of Victoria Park opposite, while the extensive use of warm, natural wood throughout still looks remarkably fresh and modern.
Walking through the space with Gina Mills, Southern Cross’ Head of Leadership and Culture, Gina describes this atmospheric quality as vital to the organisation’s corporate identity. She notes that the design successfully creates an environment that feels "both professional and warm," giving teams a daily workspace that supports deep focus while making it easy to "feel comfortable being together."
Designed for connection and wellbeing
A hallmark of the original layout was the intentional variety of spatial zones, a strategy that has proven immensely successful in supporting Southern Cross’ day-to-day culture.
As we toured the floors, it was clear how these key design elements continue to drive connection across the business:
- Spontaneous collaboration zones: A diverse mix of drop-down areas and tailored booths allow staff to connect easily and "solve problems in the moment" without the friction of booking formal meeting rooms.
- The Victoria Park outlook: Dedicated seating and booth areas offer a scenic, tranquil backdrop for one-to-one catch-ups or essential wellbeing breaks during a busy day.
- The reception booths: Striking circular booths serve a dual purpose, providing a spacious and inviting setting for both internal and external meetings that elevates the arrival experience.
Foundations of an enduring vision
These touchpoints were not accidental; they are the physical manifestation of the design drivers STACK established at the project's inception. The workspace was treated as a living space, creating an organic, biophilic environment for long-term growth. Embracing a build less philosophy ensured the solutions were inherently flexible and sustainable. Dedicated areas for healthy people and healthy partners embedded wellbeing support directly into the layout, while digital-first collaboration zones championed high-performance agile teams. Finally, dedicated mindfulness zones gave employees the physical space to pause and reset.
Gina explains that this deliberate spatial variety allows people to fluidly choose the setting that best suits their immediate needs, whether that is focused work, creative collaboration, or a quick mental reset. Ultimately, these choices ensure the office remains genuinely supportive of inclusion and connection. "Day to day, it gives our people a workplace that supports focus and productivity, while also making it easy to connect and collaborate," she says.
The ultimate test: Evolving for a hybrid world
Perhaps the greatest testament to the workplace strategy at Te Kupenga is how beautifully it has handled the systemic shifts in the global working landscape. While the high-quality finishes and key aesthetic areas have physically performed remarkably well, the underlying layout has proven to be incredibly agile.
Gina reflects that five years on, the space still feels "fresh and highly fit for purpose, which says a lot about the quality of the original design."
As hybrid working patterns cemented themselves over the last few years and staff returned to the office in greater numbers, the workspace effortlessly absorbed the change. Rather than pushing against a rigid layout, Southern Cross was able to adapt the existing space, seamlessly integrating additional phone booths and extra desks to suit greater daily utilisation and different work patterns. For Gina, this highlighted the project's ultimate strength, which is the ability to evolve without losing the original feel of the space.
A living corporate culture
At its heart, this workplace was built for people. Five years later, the central "Town Hall" area remains the undeniable heartbeat of the entire organisation. During our visit, we witnessed the space fully activated, transforming into a vibrant hive of activity where staff gathered organically with colleagues to chat over lunch or sat individually to unwind. Beyond daily use, it has also become the definitive home for company-wide celebrations and acknowledgements, anchoring the corporate community and strengthening cross-organisational ties.
As Gina beautifully encapsulates it:
"For me, this workplace reflects the kind of culture we want to create, one that is welcoming, connected and people-centred. Five years on, it still feels modern and thoughtfully designed, and it continues to support the way our people work, collaborate and look after their wellbeing every day. Spaces like the Town Hall area really bring that to life."
Quality that endures
For an organisation of Southern Cross’ scale, a head office is a significant investment in both real estate and human capital. Five years on, Te Kupenga stands as definitive proof that a forward-thinking workplace strategy yields lasting value.
At STACK Interiors, we believe that great design is a long-term partnership between space, culture and evolution. We are incredibly proud to see the Southern Cross workplace thriving, adapting and continuing to look as fresh and inspiring as the day it opened.
Photography by David Straight
