New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 30/12 | Page 64

Elvidge says the site boundaries excluded the
very tip of the triangle.
“We wanted to avoid a stubby end to the
building, which would have been the result if we
had built right up to the boundary. So we sculpted
the end of the building, putting a slight kink in
the structure to provide a pointed end. Horizontal
louvres enhance this sharp leading edge. At street
level, however, we left enough space for a small
area of outdoor seating at the apex.”
The architect says the owners have a farming
background and expressed a desire for the building
to feature natural materials.
“The clients requested a town-meets-country
approach. We chose a rich material palette that
speaks of rural and urban imagery. The northwest
elevation features Corten steel fins – we call them
billowing fins as they have a slight curve. The
rusted, weathered patina complements the oiled
timber that lines the recessed areas at ground
level. The fins also provide essential sun shading
to the office floors, which means office workers
rarely need to pull the blinds. This in turn helps to
activate the exterior of the building, which adds to
the vibrancy.”
A local Mt Somers limestone features at ground
level, while Timaru bluestone clads columns and a
long feature wall in the entry foyer. This is a highly

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textural volcanic stone with air bubble fissures.
Elvidge says the stretched glass facade on the
other side of the building creates a simple, calm
backdrop to the historic clock tower that was
restored following the earthquakes.
“Overall, the finely detailed language of this
building provides a contemporary response to
the highly detailed, yet traditional nature of the
clock tower.”
The Spice Paragon restaurant and Khao-San
Road bar on the ground floor reflect a similar attention to detail. Designed by Crafted, the bar and
restaurant echo a theme established by the company when they undertook an earlier commission
for the restaurant in another part of the city.
Designer Callum Pankhurst says for this project,
key motifs and colours are similar to the first
restaurant, but the client wanted something a little
different in terms of the material palette.
“The client specifically requested a very raw,
semi-industrial aesthetic. Consequently the
restaurant features a lot of hot-rolled steel and
distressed-grade red beech that has a warm,
recycled look. This timber is milled from trees that
have been attacked by borer, so the holes and
knots create added visual interest. We have also
oiled the timber and it is maintained by waxing, so
it will develop a rich, weathered patina over time.”

Below left:The contemporary
detailing on the building, in the
form of fins and louvres, is a
modern nod to the highly detailed
design of the restored clock
tower.
Below:A slight kink in the
building design allows the two
angled sides to meet at a sharp
edge, seen here from inside one
of the office tenancies.
Right:Office interiors are also
contemporary, with natural
materials featuring prominently.
Following pages:The Spice
Paragon Thai fusion restaurant
and Khao-San Roa d bar occupy
the ground floor. The restaurant
and bar interior, designed by
Callum Pankhurst of Crafted,
is a largely monochromatic
palette with distressed red beech
teamed with black steel.