New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/04C | Page 52

designed office reception area. Adding to this look
is the steel-clad conference room, which protrudes
into the space from the work areas behind.
The fabrication workshop with its CNC machines
was positioned at the opposite end of the 455m 2
building, next to a large roller door and loading dock,
giving easy access for production materials.
The main work area sits in between these two
spaces and has been designed so that its work
tables can be reconfigured for workshop events, or
be totally cleared out for larger public gatherings.
“We wanted the space to be dark and moody
– to give it that late night, basement atmosphere
– but we also wanted a design that would appeal
to designers and artists so they would come and
collaborate with the engineers on their projects.”
As a result, DesignLab isn’t the warm loft con-
cept that the building might initially suggest, but
rather is deliberately stark, industrial and elegant.
Referencing traditional factories and workshops,
the design team employed a material palette of
blackened cold rolled steel, raw concrete and
rough-sawn timber, while the use of glass, glossy
black and white surfaces, and premium furnishings
reflect the elegance of workspaces in high-end
creative agencies.
“By introducing this high level of design into
an engineering space like this, design becomes
a bigger part of the product itself, and not just an
afterthought,” says Grosser
Previous pages and
below:DesignLab’s building
envelope retains the original
brickwork and bow trusses of
the historic 1910s building. But
the workspaces inserted into this
backdrop are deliberately stark,
industrial and elegant.
Facing page:The kitchen with
its additional workbenches
suggests the moody atmosphere
of a garage or basement setting
for a Silicon Valley start-up.