Having recently completed the fitout design for the AMP Northern Hub office, GHDWoodhead creativespaces were asked to develop a concept for the staff café at the AMP Centre in Auckland central.

The brief for the look and feel of the fitout was to create a contemporary and welcoming social hub, that staff and visitors could be wowed by. The undisputed highlight of the existing space however were the views of the harbour and city. To celebrate and emphasize the views, the café was increased in size slightly to accentuate the harbour outlook, with a previously obscured window, revealed to great effect.

The kitchen joinery was also rearranged with a large horizontal straight worktop and practical storage options. The central island with expresso café machine can be used on either side, as both food preparation and seating space, with the provision of new fast charge USB access ports, an added feature for staff.

The new look and feel has an innovative industrial aesthetic, it brings to mind a retail café from Kinglsland or Ponsonby, with polished concrete flooring, textural black ceilings, timber and matt black joinery, a tiled splashback and eclectic furniture options including timber leaner, banquette seating and high back soft seating.

Copper Pendants and creative planting including stacked mobile plant walls, sky planters, potted herbs and climbing plant wall are highlights.

The adjacent training rooms have been refreshed, and when left open, allow the café to spill into the area creating a large engaging area, perfect for hosting client or staff functions.

The café can now double as an impromptu meeting space or agile working zone, with back to back high back leaner booths contributing multi-use options.

Feedback from the user has been overwhelmingly positive and the new café has proved popular, with the décor, creative planting and barista coffee verifying a success with both staff and visitors.