New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 35/02C | Page 12

landscape. Wood fibre ceilings accent key shared
areas – places to meet, focus and socialise. Plus
comfortable booths and alternate work settings are
dressed in soft tones and bright finishes, evoking a
sense of spaciousness, calmness and energy.
Branding overlay is subtly integrated into the fit-
out with bold internal messaging and graphics.
Wellbeing is also at the heart of the Mercury
work fit-out strategy, ensuring the health of all staff
is supported by the environment. Plantings and
greenery integrated throughout the modern work
and social spaces contribute both physically and
symbolically in promoting a healthy environment.
In fact, many aspects of the interior design
address wellness directly.
Workstations and focus pods positioned around
the perimeter maximise natural light and external
views, while sit-to-stand work points and alterna-
tive work settings located around the open building
core offer choice and the ability to move freely.
68
search | save | share at
The flow of each space is designed to enable
staff exploration and integration beyond just teams.
With plenty of connected and open-plan spaces,
clever balance of acoustic treatments throughout
was a must – both to enable privacy when required
and also to retain an overall energetic ambience.
The eye-catching bespoke ceiling feature above
the grandstand staircase plays a part in this. As
well as protecting from solar gain and concealing
lighting and fire protection requirements, it also
provides valuable strategic acoustic absorption.
Mercury's fourth-level social hub can cater for
up to 300 at one time and has a mix of kitchen and
café style seating areas.
The main kitchen is at the heart of the atrium
adjacent to the grandstand seating; it is central,
open and visible to everyone. The nearby cafe-style
Museum kitchen has panoramic views of Auckland
Domain and Museum, and offers a quieter, more
reflective social space.
Below:The grandstand staircase
balustrading's dichroic film
turns the sky above the adjacent
Museum red and gold. For safety,
the balustrades have sloping tops
to prevent things being placed on
them and falling from height.
Facing page:The grandstand
stair provides auditorium seating
for the large-screen digital
monitor below. The sculptural
ceiling element directly overhead
provides lighting and protection
from solar gain from the atrium's
glass ceiling, while also
addressing acoustic dampening.