By Herbst Maxcey Metropolitan Architects
A high-tech clinical floating glass box is inserted into a historic building fabric, creating a dialogue between two primary architectural elements; the high-tech floating glass box and the existing historic building fabric. The public spaces (Reception, waiting, circulation, imaging, point of sale, and ancillary spaces) are articulated with historic Britomart building fabric finishes and textures being exposed historic brickwork, old cracked leather, concrete, recycled rimu wall lining, and recycled pururi flooring. The floating glass box, housing the dental surgeries, is expressed in clinical high-tech finishes including LED back-lit translucent glazing, raw steel, and white internal surfaces.
The floating glass surgery box is the primary light source within the space, and is a glowing stratagem that lures the attentions of the constant stream of passing pedestrians and idling vehicles outside the space through the historic Victorian shopfront windows.
As an architectural practice our mission is to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the built environment through excellence in architecture. Herbst Maxcey Metropolitan Architects is a New Zealand Institute of Architects registered practice and the recipients of multiple NZIA awards for architecture, our works have been published extensively, both locally and internationally.
Founded by the partnership of Lance and Nicola Herbst and Bodie Maxcey in 2011, the practice maintains a small office with a focus on design-led projects.The practice has completed a wide range of building types in the areas of residential, commercial, educational and healthcare.