Eco office - Stephenson&Turner Wellington
The Stephenson&Turner Wellington design studio
was well and truly designed with sustainability in
mind, with the fitout being awarded a 6 Star Green
Star Interiors rating by the New Zealand Green
Building Council and receiving the Resene Total
Colour Sustainable System Award.
The studio was the first historic building in New
Zealand to be awarded a 6 Green Star Office
Interiors rating, the highest level attainable under
Green Star, representing world leadership.
The design focused on using existing materials
and colours. The concrete, brick and timber set a
wonderful canvas for a working environment.
The aim was to design studio space which
invigorated new life and culture. After a number
of detailed trial layouts they decided to break free
from current open plan office norms and create a
space that encouraged the highest levels of group
communication. Down came the screens that
normally separated individuals, down came the
disciplinary divides: until all that was left was a
cohesive team.
The meeting rooms, located on axis with the main
entrance, are the only built spaces in the fitout. They
offer extremely high levels of acoustics and feature
large flush pivot doors which disappear into the wall
when closed. The meeting rooms ‘float’ below the
existing shell, playing with the idea of old vs new.
Clients enter directly into the creative environment
of the studio and can be actively involved in the
design process.
The Café space was an important part of the design
scope for it offers employees and visitors a relaxing
space where less serious conversations and more
sociable interactions can take place. This space
incorporates a floating linear kitchen transitioning
into a well established design library, the ideal place
to have a coffee or meet a client.
The studio fitout features sustainably harvested and
reused timber, daylight addressable lighting, natural
radiant heating as well as a green wall and strict use
of Environmental Choice approved low VOC paints
and adhesives.
The colour palette of Resene Half Alabaster (blackened white), Resene Half Spanish White (complex neutral) and Resene Half Wan White (winter neutral) provides a fresh yet soothing
backdrop to the creativity. These colours were joined
by clear finishes on natural substrates, to bring out
the best in the materials and make them easier to
keep clean while also protecting them long into the
future.

The wide range of Environmental Choice approved
Resene products meant there was little restriction
in the project. Resene Zylone Sheen low sheen
waterborne paint was used on wall areas with
ceilings in Resene SpaceCote Flat and trim and
joinery in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne
enamel. These were joined by Resene Aquaclear as
a clear finish over timber and Resene Cemseal as a
clear finish and dust coat over concrete.
The result is a fresh, comfortable, open working
environment all carefully designed with the intention
of promoting health and well being to employees.
Architectural Specifier: Stephenson&Turner Ltd
Building Contractor: Mainzeal Interiors Ltd
Painting Contractor: Withers Painters Ltd
Resene: Craig Ell, Wellington Architectural Services Representative
Photographer: Paul McCredie
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