BBO Fitout

Emphasis on engineering

In creating a new office space for multi-disciplinary consultancy Bloxam Burnett & Olliver (BBO), designer Edwards White Architects chose to emphasise the engineering focus at the core of the practice.

‘When it came to relocating their Hamilton office, BBO chose two floors in a new building in the CBD,’ says Herman Haringa from Edwards White. ‘With their brief to capture an engineering feel, we sought to embrace the building's structural steel frame and exposed concrete floor as part of the design.’

Housing around 120 staff, the new offices feature an open-plan layout with team-oriented spaces and individual offices for senior staff. The unique choice of materials, form and colour all reflect BBO’s core business.

Office design inspired by location and function

‘Arches reminiscent of engineered bridge forms frame the breakout spaces on each floor and speak to the many Waikato River bridges, relating this office to its location and city,’ says Herman.

‘Earthy rendered walls in the waiting area and main meeting rooms relate to the company’s geotechnical services, while the natural tones of timber, green carpet and furniture through the meeting rooms refer to their surveying and town planning services.’

Carpet tiles provide the perfect contrast

For the carpet, the designers chose the carpet tiles to capture the natural green hue they were looking for. The subtle colour of the carpet tiles from Advance Flooring provided the perfect contrast to the engineering focus of the project.