Buddle Findlay: Lawful sophistication
The welcoming reception, its homely quality emphasised by the soft textures and warm colour palette.
Large windows in the staff kitchen for workers to immerse themselves in the Cathedral Square outside.
Deep oak doorways distinguish the minimalist inviting board rooms and meeting rooms from the open plan work stations.
Luxurious finishes to the walls.
The open and calming staff lounge.
Open planned work station fitting 50 desks, with room for more.
The Nook, a highlight of project forJasmax.
Bespoke lights seen in a meeting room.
Natural lighting fills the space, in both the meeting rooms and waiting spaces.
After more than a decade away from Cathedral Square following the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, Buddle Findlay has returned to the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch with a purpose-built workplace by Jasmax that is as much about people as it is about place. Located on the third floor of the newly completed Regent building, the firm’s new 1000m2 office is a powerful expression of identity — one that reflects Buddle Findlay’s heritage, values and a forward-thinking approach to legal practice.
Jasmax’s brief was clear: create a refined, elegant and approachable space that feels uniquely on brand for the firm — a long-term home where clients feel relaxed and staff feel valued. The site, overlooking the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, provided not just a symbolic return, but a unique opportunity to reconnect with the city’s cultural and geographic context.
Jasmax were afforded a great amount of freedom in the concept, plans and materiality. While the design takes cues from Buddle Findlay’s Auckland office in terms of taste and tone, the Christchurch space is no replica and holds an independent style. Rather than relying on overt branding, the space communicates the Buddle Findlay identity through quiet luxury.
Informed by Canterbury’s light and landscape, the interior design draws heavily from the colour palette and textures of W.A. (Bill) Sutton’s Port Hills paintings. The material palette selected by the team at Jasmax is rich yet restrained — solid oak, rendered plaster, bronze detailing, linen upholstery, hand-knotted rugs, and sandstone floor tiles — all chosen to echo the golden and silvery hues of the Port Hills. The effect is a calm, natural atmosphere that brings warmth and dignity to the everyday workings of a law firm.
From the moment visitors enter, the design intentionally breaks from the corporate norm. A confined entry — a limitation imposed by the building’s core — was made into a strength, delivering the feeling of stepping into someone’s living room rather than a typical law office. Clients are welcomed into a bespoke reception space styled as a residential lounge, complete with Tim Webber armchairs and specially designed soft lighting developed in collaboration with Snelling Studio.
This warm welcome flows into a series of curved oak walls and softly textured rendered plaster counters that guide clients through the space. These details cleverly open up sightlines, revealing framed glimpses of the city and leading to moments of discovery, such as “the nook,” a casual meeting spot perfect for document signings or relaxed client conversations.
The crown jewel of the client-facing suite is the sun-drenched corner staff kitchen and lounge, where panoramic views of Cathedral Square create a quiet sense of grandeur — the best aspect of the space, given back to staff.
At the heart of the layout is a people-centric philosophy. Buddle Findlay’s four key strategic pillars — culture, expertise, quality and client experience — guided every design move. With 50 workstations positioned around the perimeter, there’s no traditional hierarchy. Instead, partners sit in open plan with their teams, supporting collaboration and accessibility.
Private offices are bookable on demand, and modular workstations can be reconfigured as the firm grows or evolves, an intentional flexibility that ensures this office can be a true long-term home. Additional spaces, like a warm and welcoming touchdown area for visiting staff or collaborators, are fully integrated into the design language, maintaining a consistent level of quality and comfort throughout.
Deep doorframes to meeting rooms add a sense of permanence and subtle drama, while solid oak joinery throughout reinforces the firm’s grounded and authentic presence, a visual confirmation that the workspace is intended to be a forever home for Buddle Findlay, as if perminantly rooting themselves in the building. These solid and sturdy wood details add contrast to the light tones and texture of the plaster and furnishing. Minimal visible services and clean ceiling lines speak to the high level of execution, while thoughtful elements like rendered plaster counters add tactility and richness.
Wellbeing is also a core consideration. End-of-trip facilities include redesigned bathrooms with showers and storage, offering a homely, spa-like experience that encourages healthy commuting and self-care.
Buddle Findlay’s new Christchurch office redefines what a law firm can feel like. It’s elegant yet approachable, calm yet connected through a crafted environment designed to support the firm’s evolution, empower its people, and offer clients a new kind of legal experience that begins the moment they step through the door.
Jasmax was a Worplace up to 1000m2 finalist in the 2025 Interior Awards.
See the live presentation from Alan McCorkindale and Anna Hill here.
