What was the brief from your client?

Sarah-Jane Sullivan (SJ): 205Q Hive and Lobby has four main entrances and provides direct access to two high-rise towers in Auckland’s CBD. Given the foot traffic and location, the lobby needed a complete refresh. The objective was to maximise the use of space, enhance the entry statement and create a better flow. We also wanted to create a more defined space for the café operator, Ground Coffee, and provide greater tenant amenity to the previously under-utilised mezzanine level.

You were working with a very large and relatively undefined space. What were your key design moves to meet that challenge?

SJ: The atrium itself is approximately 2000m2 so the space needed to feel more comfortable and at a human scale. It was also important that the design retained the building’s historic appeal. The existing grey and pink granite in the walls and floor influenced our final design concept and the fabrics and colourways we chose were selected to complement and elevate these existing elements. We removed the dated timbers and introduced brushed bronze and a lot of greenery, including a large ficus tree. It was all about refreshing the atrium, giving it a new life and enticing people to the space.

How did you arrive at the recurring geometric theme seen in the joinery and on the fabric wall?

SJ: The interior and exterior architecture is very distinct, with strong geometry and form. The 10-metre-high atrium, supported by a geometric structure, allows a lot of light into the space and we were keen to harness and enhance this. We aligned the new insertions to the existing built elements in recognition of how visually powerful they are and then introduced pieces, in the form of curved shapes and plush textures, to balance the angled geometry, help soften the space and achieve an overall hospitality feel.

Tell us about your Warwick Fabrics material selection for this project.

SJ: We chose Warwick for both the wall feature and the banquette seating because of the wide range of colours and textures available and also the wear of the fabric. We used wool-felt Augustus Pimpernel, soft-touch velvet Plush Terracotta and textural plain Gravity Brick in the angular panels on the wall. In the café areas, the Lustrell Delux Rouge HealthGuard vinyl has a fabric texture and is hard-wearing and easy to clean while the Cleo Blush adds textural interest with a soft-touch velvet. The range offered us the soft, comfortable tones we needed, along with excellent durability and acoustic properties, so it covered all bases.

See more in the Material Focus series, including inspiration from the New York Grill, Naumi Hotel (Auckland), Fabric Bistro and more, here.

ArchitectureNow and Architecture NZ work with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to create appropriate content for the site. This article has been supported by Warwick Fabrics. 

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