Plant and Food Research Cunningham Building

The Mt Albert site boasts a historic Art Deco building dating back to 1939, proudly standing as the campus's oldest architectural gem. Being a Crown Research Institute owned by the New Zealand government, a meticulous approach to budgeting was crucial for this project.

The renovations presented an opportunity to unveil the original architectural structure by peeling back layers of the interior, revealing the building's fundamental character. The financial constraints served as a catalyst for our team to channel creativity and precision.

On the ground floor, a carefully curated space now hosts an externally managed café, a staff kitchen and inviting collaborative meeting zones. On the first level, a collection of formal meeting spaces seamlessly connects to the main office building through a covered pedestrian bridge.

An eclectic fusion of modular furniture adds a dynamic touch, allowing for versatile configurations in social settings, formal meeting areas and dining spaces. Salvaged science cabinetry and equipment from former laboratories have been repurposed into customised joinery units, effectively partitioning the area into distinct functional zones.

Strategically positioned pendant lighting and thoughtfully designed carpet tiles with geometric motifs further define the diverse collaborative areas.

The buzzing culture of the café hub has converted the Cunningham into a lively work environment – it truly has become ‘the heart’ of the campus