Leighs Construction balancing practicality and heritage in design
At a glance
Leighs Construction wanted to design an efficient and visually appealing interior for its new Christchurch head office, aligning with the company’s employee-centric values. It aimed to showcase structural reliability while preserving the building’s historical and architectural character through a modern interior.
The challenge
The purpose of this project was to facilitate the relocation and establishment of Leighs Construction’s head office in a new building situated in the heart of Christchurch. Given the context of the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010/2011, which had severely impacted the High Street precinct, the project aimed to transform and revitalise the urban landscape by repurposing and restoring the building at 219 High Street.
Our response
In collaboration with Leighs Construction and the base building architect, we aimed to create a functional and aesthetic interior fitout that aligned with Leighs’ ethos as a proud employer. The design focused on providing spaces that cater to individual tasks requiring concentration as well as fostering a collaborative work environment. It was crucial to maintain structural reliability and integrity, ensuring a sense of reassurance for both Leighs staff and visitors.
The interior design utilised warm timber, black and corporate yellow tones to complement the industrial architectural setting, featuring elements such as exposed concrete walls and steel structure. The overall goal was to harmonise the functional and aesthetic aspects, creating a conducive workspace for the company’s operations while respecting the building’s historical and architectural context.
The impact
The result is a thoughtfully designed workspace that balances functionality, aesthetics and employee satisfaction while respecting the historical context of the building.