Trade Me Christchurch: a collaborative approach
27/8/2024
HMOA has a long association with Trade Me, with previous award-winning interiors for both Trade Me Auckland and Wellington – who can forget that in-house caravan and slide? Now it's Trade Me Christchurch's turn; a more pared-back fit-out working within the constraints of the existing space but still injected with colour and fun. We asked architect Duval O'Neill about HMOA's process, including post-COVID supply issues.
Duval, as well as the longstanding relationship with Trade Me in Auckland and Wellington, this is the second time you've worked on schemes for Trade Me Christchurch ...
Yes, we collaborated with Trade Me back in 2017 to initially help with test-fit plans for their existing space. This later evolved into plans for a new space in the ANZ Building.
With the growth of their local team, in 2022 we started collaborating on the interior fit-out for the current headquarters in High Street.
How did you create such a spacious, welcoming environment, especially when dealing with existing low ceilings?
Adapting existing suspended ceilings is challenging and expensive, so we try and work with what we have.
Our approach was to maximise the perimeter spaces where there is natural light by configuring these as shared office and break-out spaces.
The new kitchen facilities and services spaces were "locked onto" the existing central internal core as built-in joinery, which also added a greater sense of space and light throughout the interior.
Were there any distinctive elements in the brief?
Trade Me has a fantastic approach to staff wellbeing, which was a large part of the brief.
This included the open plan kitchen and break-out spaces, a separate wellness room – and even swinging seats.
The Trade Me team had a hand in selecting the furniture – the measure of a high level of trust with your client …
The furniture selected by Trade Me complements our design and introduces elements of fun and contrast.
By understanding this approach from the start and collaborating, we knew to provide a colour palette that allowed for flexibility, and for the Trade Me team's input to be at the forefront.
Pink for the wellness room was an example of our interior designer working in consultation with the client.
What are you most proud of?
We are very proud of how everyone worked together in trying circumstances post-COVID to deliver such a great outcome, in such a short timeframe.
These were the days of gib shortages. Supply issues meant we had to be smart about material choices, which led us to more pre-finished options to reduce on-site finishing.
Photos: Russ Kleyn
