Maintaining privacy and acoustic clarity in a sensitive workspace

The project

Wingates has collaborated with Autex Acoustics® to integrate customised sound solutions into the very fabric of this 1,280 sqm office fit-out. The interior achieves minimal reverberation, maintaining privacy and sound clarity in a sensitive workspace.

Departing from the conventional appearance of a law firm, Wingates has created an innovative workplace interior for Anthony Harper’s Auckland offices. Showcasing the firm’s celebrated inclusive and diverse culture, Wingates has expressed its brand vision in rich colours and warm materials, adding contrast through sophisticated gloss and matt finishes.

The acoustics within this fluid office interior needed to support many different uses over two floors, including private meeting rooms, spaces for social connection and collaboration, coffee and lunch rooms, and areas for focused work. Wingates approached Autex Acoustics to develop innovative acoustic treatments that would be organic to the design, making the sound solutions integral to the overall character.

The flexibility to have hard surfaces and acoustic comfort

One of the priorities was ensuring that reverberation and echo in the main entrance and reception were kept to a minimum for acoustic privacy and sound clarity inside adjacent meeting rooms.

To achieve the required look and performance, the polished terrazzo floor and high-gloss curving feature wall had to be offset with acoustic materials that trap and absorb sound. Working with Wingates on early-stage prototypes, the Autex Acoustics design team proposed using 24 mm Cube™ and custom-cut Vertiface® fins in the colour Opera.

“We shaped Vertiface to follow the curved ceilings and walls through the reception and lobby spaces, creating a wave effect to elevate acoustic performance,” explains Sean Stirling, Senior Designer at Autex Acoustics. “The soft panels of Vertiface trap a lot of the sound up in the ceiling, keeping these high-traffic areas quiet and pleasant to be in.”

“With no precedent, we worked from first principles to meet outcomes for both form and function. And once we got to site, we worked closely with Wingates and the installers Apex to get the best possible outcomes for the project.”

Designing a custom solution

Throughout the two floors, Wingates has expressed the Anthony Harper brand and colour palette in the fit-out, specifying custom-cut and grooved Grid Ceiling Tiles in the Acros colourway for the staff room and in Sargazo above the bar leaners–all installed by Apex Interiors.

“The ceiling tiles we designed for this interior influenced our direction for the new range,” says Sean. “We learned a lot from the installation process on this project, which is reflected in Grid Ceiling Tile’s product specification. The tile grids are a key material to ensure minimal reverberation between spaces, allowing the Anthony Harper team to work comfortably in different work modes. Acoustic design in a sensitive workspace like this can’t be underestimated, and it’s our absolute focus and passion.”

A vision brought to reality

Through this innovative collaboration between Wingates and the Autex Acoustics design team, Anthony Harper has realised their vision of a dynamic, open workplace where sound doesn’t dominate. “The overall result has been an exciting, free-flowing workplace in an engaging environment that enables a diverse group of talented professionals to continue delivering their best work,” notes Wingates.

Architect: Wingates

Account Manager: Dev Pokhrel

Installer: Apex Interiors

Designer: Sean Stirling

Featured Products: Cube™, Vertiface®, Grid Ceiling Tiles