FNZ, Wellington

Stretching across a city block in the heritage-listed Harbour City Centre, HMOA has created three levels of new office space for FNZ's New Zealand headquarters. With windows only at either end of the building, the 50-metre-wide space is kept open to allow daylight to penetrate. This also encourages interaction between all three floors, creating a more unified workplace. A dramatic internal stair has been inserted through the centre of the space and natural light is maximised with skylights. The layout also ensures meeting rooms do not block the light. While continuity has been created between the three levels, each has its own identity. Colour defines each floor and the specially commissioned artworks on the back walls, by local artists Gina Kiel, D Side and Sean Duffel, add a sense of depth to the darkest spaces in the office. Read more about the project and an interview with HMOA interior designer, Karin Thurston.  Photos: Andy Spain