Spaceworks Interior Architecture

Good teams don’t happen by accident. At Spaceworks, we believe the strength of our work comes from the strength of our people. Tenure isn’t just a number. It’s trust built over time, knowledge carried forward, and values that run deep. Our people don’t just deliver great projects - they build long-term partnerships with our clients, suppliers, and each other. That stability means better outcomes, smarter solutions, and consistent delivery, project after project. We’re proud to celebrate these recent milestones: 🔹 Anau Milton – 9 years 🔹 Penny Angell – 6 years 🔹 Michelle Suen – 6 years Retention like this doesn’t just shape culture - it sets the tone for how we hire, lead, and collaborate. We’re not about revolving doors. We’re about building capability, mentoring growth, and backing the people behind the design. If you want a design partner who brings consistency, clarity, and cohesion - we’d love to introduce you to our team. Reach out to Jana Stringer 021 153 3408 #TeamMatters #PeopleFirst #DesignWithDepth #Spaceworks_NZ #WorkAnniversaries #TrustedDesignPartner

Making Magic on a Shoestring.. When a school asks for a space refresh, the brief isn’t always about awards or lavish makeovers. Sometimes, it’s about capturing their energy and purpose the moment people walk through the door. When a school tells you there’s “no budget,” it’s rarely a euphemism. At ANI this was no difference – the kind where every dollar has to stretch further than you think possible We steadily reimagined spaces here over the some years - the staffroom, the waiting area, and a series of hands-on makerspaces where “learning by doing” is the daily rhythm. The goal wasn’t to reinvent the wheel. It was to reflect the vibrancy of the school community, create environments that work hard for staff and students, and show to provide spaces that supported the learning environment in a cost concious way. As a designer - there is nothing better than seeing the users of a space (tweens) excited to be in there and using the space exactly how it was intended. How to stretch a budget: • Paint – because colour can work wonders. • Vinyl graphics – instant personality without the cost. • Entry-level materials – chosen & applied smartly so they look anything but basic. • A visionary client – willing to embrace quirk and inject fun where it counts. Bryce Mills (this was you!) • A willing designer to think outside of the box and not be deterred by the limitations of paint and graphics Lauren Gibbs (this was you!) Good design isn’t about how much you spend – it’s about how much it gives back. #Creativity #Education #Design #LearningEnvironments #Spaceworks_nz

Colour Meets Function in a Tech Workplace Designing for Movement, Meaning, and Momentum. How do you create a workplace that’s vibrant, intuitive, and ready for how people actually work? For this Auckland-based tech company, the brief was to go beyond desks and meeting rooms - they needed a space that supported multiple ways of working, reinforced their brand identity, and guided behaviour. We started with three key brand colours - blue, red and purple. Bold, purposeful, and distinct. We also knew this combination had the potential to look like a fruit salad. So instead of applying colour decoratively, we used colour blocking as a strategic design tool. Each colour became a visual cue, creating zones and helping people navigate the space instinctively. What colour did for this workplace: • Told stories. Each brand colour was used to reflect the purpose of a space - focused, collaborative, or social. • Aided wayfinding. Colour guided people through the open-plan layout without relying on heavy signage. • Influenced behaviour. Colour supported the mood of each space - calm in focus zones, energetic in collaboration areas, grounded in breakout spaces. A workspace that adapts to its people. This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all floorplate. We designed a workplace ecosystem that includes: • Open-plan work zones for day-to-day flow • Breakout spaces for casual connection and recharge • Collaboration areas that flex between project work and team stand-ups • Quiet corners for focused or solo working • Branded moments that subtly reinforce identity throughout the space The result is a workplace that supports activity-based working - giving people the freedom to choose how and where they work, depending on the task, their mindset, and their needs. “Great workplace design doesn’t dictate how you work. It gives you options.” Want to create a space that actually works for your people? Reach out to Jana Stringer at Spaceworks - jana@spaceworks.co.nz 021 153 3408 #WorkplaceDesign  #ActivityBasedWorking  #InteriorArchitecture   #SmartDesign  #ColourWithPurpose  #SpaceThatPerforms   #DesignStrategy  #WayfindingDesign  #WorkplaceExperience   #spaceworks_nz

Allpress Espresso – Drake Street Less Waste. More Impact. How do you refresh a beloved, popular café space without gutting it? And without alienating the existing customer base? How do you honour brand legacy while making it feel fresh, dynamic, and ready for what’s next? The answer: design with restraint and intention. At Allpress Espresso on Drake Street, the brief was clear – elevate the space, but only where it mattered. No unnecessary changes. No overdesign. Just smart, intentional updates that enhanced the customer experience, honoured the brand, and respected the structure already in place. Here’s what we did (and didn’t do): • No services changes. We worked with the existing mechanical, plumbing, and power layouts. • Upgraded the counter front. Rather than replacing the counter, we clad over the existing joinery – reducing waste, minimising cost, and streamlining the timeframe. • Refinished the flooring. We revived the space underfoot without ripping anything up. • Reworked the furniture layout. The revised layout improved flow and space utilisation – more comfort for customers, more efficiency for staff. • Designed a dynamic retail display. A thoughtful zone for Allpress’ full coffee offering – where product storytelling meets functional merchandising. • Built the space in-house. Our hands-on management of design, budget, and contractors ensured that the fitout was delivered exactly as quoted, with no variations to budget or timeframe. This wasn’t a full-scale fitout. And it didn’t need to be. It was a considered, budget-conscious, sustainability-focused refresh – one that embraced what already worked, layered in just enough newness, and delivered a space that feels fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably Allpress. Why this mattered: • Waste reduction. Minimal demolition, retained joinery, no major service works. • Cost control. The budget was directed to where it made the most impact. • Brand integrity. The refreshed space reflects the warmth, confidence, and quality that Allpress is known for. • Longevity. By building on strong foundations, we extended the life of the space – without starting over. “Good design doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes it’s knowing what not to touch.” #SpaceThatPerforms  #SustainableDesign  #SmartDesignChoices  #InteriorArchitecture  #DesignWithIntent  #CaféDesign  #CommercialFitout  #DesignRefresh  #HospitalityDesign  #BuiltNotWasted  #spaceworks_nz

Why Now: What’s Driving the Future of Work in 2025? Spaceworks is proud to sponsor WORKTECH Auckland this August. Understanding where work is going is no longer optional. It’s key to helping our clients make informed, confident decisions about their space. Here’s what we’re paying attention to: 1. Capex is under pressure Economic headwinds mean every dollar is being scrutinised. The priority is now on flexible spaces that clearly support performance and deliver measurable value. 2. AI is already influencing design This isn’t a future trend. AI tools are already changing how teams work, collaborate and make decisions. We’re using these tools in our own process to remove friction and speed things up. The challenge now is ensuring physical space evolves alongside technology, without losing focus on people. 3. Tenant needs are diverging Some businesses are scaling back. Others are creating culture-led hubs. What works in Auckland often looks very different in Queenstown or Whangārei. One-size-fits-all no longer applies. 4. Success is being measured differently It's no longer just about space efficiency. Clients want to understand how their workplace impacts brand, wellbeing, culture and talent retention. These are complex metrics, and good design plays a critical role in delivering them. At Spaceworks, we see design as a tool for solving complex problems. Whether it’s improving leasing outcomes, supporting hybrid working, or helping avoid over-capitalisation, our goal is to make sure every investment in space is intentional and effective. From flagship HQs to flexible regional hubs, we apply the same strategic lens. We start by understanding the need, identifying friction points, and designing spaces that respond with clarity and purpose. If you're involved in workplace, leasing, strategy or asset management, this is one of the most relevant events of the year. We have a small number of VIP discount passes available. To access one or view the full agenda, email jana@spaceworks.co.nz or call 021 153 3408. WORKTECH Auckland brings together some of the brightest local and global voices pushing this conversation forward, it's a fabulous speaker line up including the following: 🎙Hilary (Hils) Walton - Microsoft Suzie Lewisham - Fonterra Anshuman Banerjee - Spark New Zealand Andrew Bowring - Nespresso Anna Campbell - Whakarongorau Aotearoa // New Zealand Telehealth Services// Tica Masuku - Spaceful Brian Northern - Fulton Hogan Dr Dani Chesson - Design Thinker Institute Anita Potgieter - Visa Ryan Ghisi - 2degrees Dr Paulette Brazzale (PhD) - Auckland University of Technology Sonia Askelund (née Martin) - Air New Zealand Lucy Matheson - Grant Thornton New Zealand Ltd Anya Duffy - Auckland Council and a case study on Beca’s HQ transformation from Chloe Stewart-Tyson & Veleska Rough #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceDesign #WorkplaceStrategy #CommercialRealEstate #Spaceworks_nz #WT25Auckland #Interiorarchitecture #interiors Lizzi Whaley Jana Stringer

When design honours legacy, every detail matters. We believe furniture, fittings, and equipment (FF&E) are never just functional additions. They’re an extension of story and purpose. Yes, that may sound like we’re giving “just furniture” too much importance - but in spaces like these, FF&E is the icing on the cake. The cake would still be good without it… but the furniture is what finishes it off. We were honoured to contribute to the award-winning Te Taumata o Kupe, a cultural and educational hub at Te Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier, Auckland. Designed by the incredible team at TOA Architects the building celebrates the legacy of Kupe - the great Polynesian navigator - through its sweeping form and patterned façade, which speak to voyaging, ocean currents, and celestial navigation. Our role was to lead the selection and installation of FF&E - not to make a statement, but to amplify the one already being made. Every piece of furniture, every finish and fitting, was chosen with intention: how it would be used, moved, seen, and felt within the storytelling, and across the space’s many uses. The result was a flexible, adaptable interior that supports wānanga, community gatherings, and connection - all while honouring both the architecture and the kaupapa that drives it. This approach underpins how we work across aged care, workplace, and retail too. Whether we’re specifying 10 items or 10,000 (like we did recently), we think about: - Accessibility and mobility - Trip hazards and visibility - Ergonomics and cultural familiarity - Longevity without compromising beauty - Aesthetics that support emotional and sensory wellbeing We bring deep expertise into every FF&E or OS&E (operational supplies and equipment) package - using design as a tool for usability, legacy, and care, no matter the sector. Te Taumata o Kupe has since received the 2024 NZIA John Scott Award for Public Architecture - a testament to the vision of TOA Architects and the many hands who brought it to life. We’re proud to have played a part in a space that will live on for generations. Want to explore how intentional FF&E or OS&E could support your next project? Contact Jana Stringer at jana@spaceworks.co.nz  or call 021 153 3408 #FFandE #StorytellingThroughDesign #DesignWithPurpose #Spaceworks_NZ #InteriorArchitecture #bespokefurniture

Time to join the movement, DE&I is here to stay. And this is a great place to get involved. Dip your toe into this Rainbow mahi and the celebration of inclusivity. Our own Lizzi Whaley is a returning judge. An out and proud Rainbow community member, she leads us in this space. As Pride Pledge 🏳️🌈 members we support the work and leadership of Martin King and all of the other judges alongside Lizzi this year. It’s also a great event, filled with laughter, colour and rewarding moments. A must attend event, coupled with bags of inspiration if you are new or seasoned in this space. #rainbowinclusivity #pridepledge #spaceworks_nz #dei #pridepledge

Sustainability isn’t a side note - it’s a design conversation. Over on CEO Lizzi Whaley LinkedIn feed, she often talks about her passion for this - especially given the wasteful practices of the construction sector. Over 17,000 tonnes of waste into New Zealand Landfill daily is not sustainable. This year’s Reset Conference by Property Council New Zealand left us thinking bigger. And a month on, it’s still whirring away in the back ground. We are excited this coming week to be able to discuss waste diversion on a retail project. Unheard of given the amount of MDF used in joinery manufacturing. Call out to all manufacturers in this space - we need better solutions for MDF recycling. The Reset conference was not just about carbon stats and policy frameworks - but about the choices we make every day as an industry. The real takeaways happened in the conversations between sessions. With clients. With peers. With suppliers. All asking: How do we turn talk into action? One thing became clear - fitouts don’t sit outside the climate conversation either. They’re right in the middle of it. And Design is the calculator & tool we use to reduce impact. Every fitout has the power to reduce freight, cut carbon, reuse materials, and reimagine what a space can be - without compromising function or performance. The speakers challenged us, but so did the people around us. From Dr Rod Carr’s wake-up call to hallway chats about accountability, it was clear this isn’t a future issue. It’s a right-now one. And it echoes what Lizzi shared in her personal reflection of the conference: ‘We can’t fix everything with a fitout - but we can make better decisions. More informed ones.’ This passion drives us forward - and why we’re putting our custom carbon calculator to use in more design projects (but we would like to use it more for businesses interested in sustainability). It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. And using what we have - design, data, dialogue - to keep moving.   Want to talk about reducing the impact of your next fitout? Email jana@spaceworks.co.nz or call on 021 153 3408   #SustainableFitouts #ClimateAction #DesignResponsibility #ResetConference #CircularEconomy #CarbonReduction #GreenDesign #ESGLeadership #Spaceworks_NZ #CommercialInteriors #CarbonTracking

We flew to Queenstown - and we just didn't leave...?! Yes, we now have an office there and it's led by long-time Spaceworker Lauren Gibbs. Whilst we have worked across New Zealand for 20 of our 25 years, the time has come to replant roots in the South Island. We’ve had a foothold in Wellington for over a decade, and Christchurch was home to a Spaceworks office (prior to the earthquake). Now, with 30% of our current projects based in the South and major work like the Skyline Queenstown redevelopment under construction, the timing couldn’t be better. And even more so when you have a rock star like Lauren part of your team, that wants to be in Queenstown - you don’t hesitate. You back her. You build around her. You book the next flight. This isn’t just about geography. It has so many benefits: - Supporting our national clients with on-the-ground continuity - Creating deeper relationships with local trades and suppliers - Reducing travel-related emissions - Investing in South Island talent and economy - Building regional knowledge and cultural insight into our design approach - Investing in the goals of own people - Staff strategic growth & enabling their leadership We’re not new to the South. But now we’re here to stay - permanently. If you are in QT and are keen for a coffee or to look at a project - email Lauren@spaceworks.co.nz or connect with her on Linkedin. #RegionalDesign #QueenstownBusiness #SouthIslandProjects #SkylineQueenstown #DesignLeadership #SustainableFitouts #LocalPartnerships #TeamGrowth #InteriorArchitecture #Spaceworks_NZ

In a recent podcast chat with Annamalai (Andy) Alagappan, Lizzi Whaley shared a classic Spaceworks story from around 2018. Where we once built an entire retail store layout out of boxes, so the client and their key stakeholders could physically walk the space, see fixture sizes, and feel the spacings for themselves. It was not fancy, it was very simple (it was also sustainable), and better still it explained the space in a powerful way that allowed on the spot decision making. #retaildesign #spatialplanning #designthinking #clientexperience #retailstrategy #spaceworks_nz