By CUSTANCE
For their new accomodation, the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants selected the top two floors of the Tower Building on Wellington’s waterfront following a strategic facility plannning analysis with Custance. The modification of the raw shell of this historic building provided a sophisticated modern workplace environment whilst retaining features and characteristics of the original building.
A large open reception with expansive harbour views and access to an external deck services a suite of conference rooms for both member activities and external use. Unobstructed open plan work areas arranged on the perimeter of the building give light and views to all staff. Work stations are all sit to stand height adjustable and provide integrated storage modules for each person. Arranged within the workspace are a range of breakout spaces, meeting and task rooms to meet the user’s needs.
Custance interpreted our vision well. We are now able to bring our continuing professional development events in house to a greater extent, with the new Conference Centre really facilitating the members’ activities and allowing them to feel part of the place.
The brief was to create an understated but professional environment, and to work with the heritage quality of the building to bring a contemporary and sympathetic feel, which will be durable and timeless.
Terry McLaughlan
CEO, NZICA
Over 30 years Custance has become a respected and multi-award winning practice. Using our collective knowledge, experience and empathy, we have created spaces that transform people’s lives and better equip them to accommodate change.
The tools we traditionally use are strategic planning, architecture, interior design and industrial design, however we have learned to wield them in different ways. We have developed these tools to allow people and organisations to experience space that is fully human and fully alive; space to live well, to create, to innovate and to grow – to enable face to face contact in a way that digital space does not.
Clients return to us in both New Zealand and for 14 years now, Australia, where we’ve built a multi-disciplinary, trans-Tasman practice that focuses on people and their well being, not just the places we build for them. We believe in human touch and those two words hold the secret of our longevity.
Before we begin any commission, whether a home , a corporate interior, a new building, an urban master plan or a strategic vision, we begin by discovering answers to fundamental human questions. Who? What? Why? For us these come before the traditional ‘where’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ of the brief and build specifications. They help us see beyond immediate needs. They help us understand people and design spaces that have enduring value.