Southern Cross Health Society – Warren & Mahoney – New Zealand

Southern Cross Health Society – Warren & Mahoney – New Zealand

Architect: Warren and Mahoney

Client: Southern Cross Health Society

Size: 6100

Location: Britomart, Auckland, New Zealand

Completion: 2011

 

“A paradigm shift in how we feel and perform at work.”

Southern Cross is an iconic not-for-profit New Zealand brand with strong values and a fifty year history. The client’s vision was to create a new long-term workplace in which staff could feel proud. The design needed to support a sense of unity and connection through the organization for staff cohesiveness and increased productivity.  The site had to also satisfy other criteria, including value for money and a healthy environment with natural light and air flow.

 The creation of a healthier Society became one of the touchstones for the project. The commission included a premises assessment process involving the analysis of several key buildings and sites within Auckland to measure their ability to support the strategic brief.

 An understated reception area greets visitors allowing staff to not only meet with members but also to provide the flexibility for large gatherings, with pivot doors opening to conference rooms. The interior follows the colour palette defined in a related internal values project, providing accent colours throughout the working floors. Natural light is maximized through careful planning and selection of materials. A bridge joins the east and west floorplates on level 2 around which hubs and meeting rooms are located. This area is the heart of the design, providing flexibility, vibrancy, and choice for staff in how they best work and connect.

 Having outgrown its Grafton premises some years ago, which resulted in Auckland teams being spread over multiple locations, SouthernCross’ objective was to avoid a traditional corporate office feel and create a new home for all Heath Society staff to feel unified and inspired as a new era begins.