Office space: DDB Group
Sharon Stephenson has roamed the globe to find work environments where architects and designers have created interiors that up the colour, and creative, ante. Here, Auckland's DDB Group.
Completed in November 2012, this five-storeyed, 3,500m² floor space was completely reworked by Campbell Johnson, DDB’s senior environments designer. The company has been based in the Greys Avenue building for 15 years, and the challenge was to breathe life into the large space and create an environment that not only was inspirational but also met the operational needs of the 200 staff and visiting clients. Each of the five levels was designed to reflect the unique nature of the respective DDB Group entities; these include advertising, digital, social media, data, PR, events, brand strategy and design. Furniture and fittings came from New Zealanders Simon James and Douglas + Bec.
But what really puts the sparkle in the space’s tiara is the top floor, which houses a generous lounge, kitchen and bar space that works for house group meetings and functions for 200 people or more, and small get-togethers.
“In a creative industry like ours, the importance of our working environment cannot be underestimated, and the revamp of the DDB building has been a fantastic success. It really is like working in a completely new and fresh office,” says Justin Mowday, managing director of DDB.