New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 34/02C | Page 11

Previous pages and these
pages:The mid-level of Suncorp’s
consolidated new five-level
premises in Auckland’s Vero
Centre is the front-of-house space
for all of Suncorp’s New Zealand
brands. A feature ceiling – one
of several in the fit-out – creates
interest and acts as an acoustic
dampener.
When Suncorp New Zealand renewed its lease
in Auckland’s Vero Centre, it took the opportunity
to use an office refurbishment to transform its way
of working and bring its strategy to life.
Connecting its employees was the central vision
for Suncorp, but reducing its footprint and providing
a more flexible and collaborative workspace were
also key goals the design brief needed to meet.
While Suncorp New Zealand and its well known
brands, Vero and Asteron Life, were all operat-
ing in the same building, they had felt siloed and
disconnected with some reached by low-rise lifts
and others by high-rise lifts, says Harry Rowntree,
Unispace’s project designer for the consolidating
five-level fit-out.
“Suncorp wanted the reinvented offices to offer
a modern, inclusive environment to represent their
brand and values – at the same time rewarding staff
with a space that encourages an overall sense of
belonging, safety, and wellbeing.”
Several location and design strategies were used
to achieve the sense of togetherness and improved
efficiencies required over Suncorp’s five floors.
“The various functions are now grouped for
improved efficiencies – for example, the contact
centres for all entities are on level 15, with cafe-style
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