This sleek refurbishment involved stripping back the existing facade to expose the raw concrete structure.  Structural glazing envelopes the building, providing a streamlined exterior and a glimpse of the skeletal remains within.

The intentional contrast creates a dialogue between slick modern structural glazing and the rough tactile surface of the concrete.  Full-length glazing allows natural light to flood the interior and provides views and visual connection to the street, cityscape and beyond.  The rough surface of the exterior concrete has influenced the interior design which leans towards an industrial aesthetic.

"Occupying a prominent corner of Hamilton’s CBD, Urban HQ shows us that the architects’ manifesto for intelligent renewal of Hamilton’s urban fabric continues with gusto. Denying the condemnation of a disused 1950s building to mere landfill, the architect has sustainably retained the existing structure and deftly cloaked it in a new performance-oriented skin. The existing building is acknowledged by way of an exposed concrete structure, which is contrasted by clean, modern lines to heighten the appreciation of both. This modern, future-proofed office building is a delight in its combination of memory and function."

- NZIA Waikato / Bay of Plenty Jury

Date of the project - 2020

Location - Hamilton, Waikato