The jury’s comment:

“One of Aotearoa’s oldest legal practices showcases its roots in this Wellington workplace, offering its employees a warm and welcoming space to celebrate its 150-year existence. Conveying an elegant story of tradition and legacy, the materials and spaces evoke calm and comfort. There is a clear narrative displayed in the transition towards the harbour and its surrounding hills – connecting it to its place. An open stair lined with books provides a striking spatial intervention and central link between the two floors while adaptable workspaces have been placed at the perimeter to enjoy the views. The designers have created a future-focused, non-hierarchical workplace to an exceptionally high standard and this does much to support well-being and informal collegiality within the business.”

PROJECT DETAILS:

Location: Wellington CBD

Client: Chapman Tripp Wellington

Building area (m²): 2570m²

Project brief: Chapman Tripp leased two floors at 20 Customhouse Quay, a base-isolated, seismically resilient building on Wellington’s waterfront. The new fitout provided the opportunity to reflect the Wellington origins of the business, its clients and culture, as well as its national reach. A contemporary office environment was sought, that was warm and inviting for employees and clients alike, with an equivalency in quality throughout. Accommodating just over 120 staff, a variety of working and collaboration settings were required, with staff amenity spaces especially important in supporting wellbeing and collegiality within the business.

Credits:

• Project principal – Stephen McDougall
• Project team – Dorian Minty
• Project team – Jason Kowalak
• Project team – Marcellus Lilley
• Project team – Melissa Robson
• Project team – Nina Boyd
• Project team – Shauna Herminghouse

“A limited material palette has been used consistently across the fitout to support the design narrative. Stone flooring, woollen broadloom carpet, timber veneer wall finishes, fabric-lined acoustic wall panels, wallpapers and large-format tiled wall surfaces combine to create a sense of quality and permanence. Specialist reeded glass to meeting room frontages allow daylight to wash into the interior spaces while providing visual privacy to the rooms themselves. While beautiful, the material selections are not ostentatious, but instead are warm, comfortable and inviting. These bring with them visual interest and texture, and at the same time a sense of calm and elegance.”  - the Studio Pacific team

Watch the finalist presentation here:

With thanks to our Interior Awards 2023 sponsors. Find out more about each of our sponsors here.