New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/02C | Page 77

and replaced with a skylight in the dining area. The
hotel’s conference rooms and gymnasium were
retained and refurbished, with input from both Muir
Design Solutions and Material Creative.
As well as the architectural rejuvenation of the
public spaces, Muir stripped out, reworked and fin-
ished the hotel’s 193 rooms. Most original services
were also replaced. All this was a tricky ask as the
hotel kept trading throughout the staged refurbish-
ment. Muir also refinished the existing pool and
created fresh, verdant landscaping for the project.
However, it’s the imaginative style of the hotel’s
interior design that really makes Naumi sing.
Interior designer Toni Brandso says ‘absolutely
no white’ was the first key directive to Material
Creative, and the second was to create a unique
boutique hotel, like no other in New Zealand.
“At the same time, the design had to encompass
the ideals of the Naumi brand – unexpected, play-
ful, youthful and considered: a truly exhilarating
experience and feast for all senses.”
The native New Zealand Tui – with its cheeky
personality and stunning plumage – was hit upon as
the perfect motif. This theme runs right through the
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