New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/03C | Page 59

Left:A patterned wall hides lift
entries from atrium occupants
while mesh screens downplay
the lift car movement above.
“The T&G Building blends diverse retail and F&B
with premium workspace to create an enhanced
experience for tenants and their guests,” says
Knight. “Now more than just a workspace, it’s a
thoughtfully curated business community.”
Joining the office tenants is a mix of luxury retail
including Versace, Gucci and Bottega Veneta’s flag-
ship stores, and onsite food and beverage offerings.
Tim Leslie, studio director at Bates Smart says
their response to the T&G Building was respectful
of the site’s century-old heritage, while reimagining
the building with contemporary interventions.
“We applied a people-centred approach to make
the building more relevant for the current tenants
and what they expect from a modern workplace –
including introducing high-end support facilities,
while maintaining the expansive floorplates.”
Leslie also introduced architectural detailing in
the 1990s building to bring the refined, traditional
feel across from the interiors in the 1920s building.
However, for those now using the building at
ground level, the pedestrian experience has been
comprehensively changed.
“We created a range of curated experiences
along the public north-south pedestrian spine and
including the reworked central atrium, which now
offers an atmospheric oasis for people to gather,
relax and engage in.”
On the more formal entrance on Collins Street,
large, dark columns had previously contributed
to a gloomy uninviting atmosphere. Bates Smart
replaced the load-bearing columns with a structural
transfer beam, clearing the way for a generous
glass, welcoming entry complete with glamorous
revolving door and a clear line of sight into the heart
of the building. A disability access was also added.
Drawn on by the attraction of lightness, giant
artworks on walls and a high patterned ceiling,
pedestrians arrive at the now reinvented atrium.
“Previously, sky bridges had crimped the sense
of spaciousness in the building-height atrium and
glass elevators had a slightly voyeuristic feel. There
was lots of cold-looking stone and the place had
been uninviting, certainly not a place to linger.
“We removed the sky bridges – opening up the
space visually – hid lift entries with a masonry wall
and screened out the lift cars rising above with
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