Aonui: A connected workplace shaped from an existing warehouse

The challenge

Otago Regional Council’s previous workplace no longer supported the way its teams work, with an outdated layout that limited interaction and made it harder for people to connect across departments. The Council identified a clear need for a space that better supports how people work today.

The Council wanted a workplace that reflects its values and the work it delivers for the region, translating these into a space that feels authentic, practical and inspiring for staff.

The project required us to bring together a wide range of spaces and functions within a single facility. The design had to accommodate the Council Chamber and public-facing areas such as the foyer and reception, alongside offices and meeting rooms. It also needed to support Emergency Response operations, workshop and field staff spaces, archives, cleaning and drying areas, end-of-trip facilities, storage, car and bike parking, a courtyard and other essential staff support spaces.

Our response

Bringing together architecture, interior and landscape design, planning, and a full suite of building and fire engineering disciplines, we drew on the Council’s culture, its role in the region and the history of the site. The design balances contemporary functionality with references to Otago’s heritage, creating a space that feels both grounded and forward-looking.

We designed a warm, welcoming environment that supports a range of work styles, from focused tasks through to collaboration, helping teams connect more easily. We also responded to the building itself, celebrating its existing structure and materiality while upgrading it to meet modern workplace needs.

Our scope extended beyond office areas to include Civil Defence Emergency Management, Council Chambers, and key departments such as environment, science and customer services, bringing these together to create a cohesive hub.

Collaboration shaped every stage of the project. A co-design process with Aukaha | Mana Ahurea, representing Otago Regional Council’s treaty partners and mana whenua, guided our work from early concepts through to detailed design. Their input brought local narratives and cultural values into the heart of the space.

Working alongside Kāi Tahu artists and designers, we developed bespoke elements across the building, including glazing, cladding, acoustic treatments, ceilings, thresholds and colour palettes. These elements respond to the site’s history, including the Toitū stream, which runs beneath the building and remains an important part of its story.

We guided design decisions by values such as Te Mana o te Wai, Te Taiao, mahika kai, mātauraka, rakatirataka and utu, reflecting both the region and the Council’s environmental responsibilities. We embedded principles throughout the space in a way that feels considered and connected to place.

The impact

The revitalised workspace supports collaboration and day-to-day connection across teams while accommodating a wide range of operational and public-facing functions. By bringing people, services and civic spaces together, the building supports how Otago Regional Council works today and strengthens its presence within the Dunedin community.