Govett Quilliam

Reimagining a law firm’s workspace

Sector

Workplace

Applications

Kitchens & bathrooms, Entrance, Service areas, Common & high traffic areas

Architect

Photographer

Writer

Products used

Neoflex

The Natural Series rubber flooring, made from mixed-coloured EPDM rubber, mimics natural stone while providing the durability and sound-absorbing benefits of rubber. Available in 17 colours, it offers a stylish, modern natural look with durable, safe, and anti-slip performance. Ideal for commercial spaces.

Colour

NTRL 1001

Awards

Year	Award
2020	Winner, Western Architecture Awards, Interior Architecture Category - Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA)

The Idea

Hybrid space blends tradition and innovation

On the top floor of an old New Plymouth post office, Boon architects have transformed a lofty space into a modern, hybrid workplace for law firm Govett Quilliam, featuring Neoflex™ recycled rubber flooring.

Influenced by the character of the space, and by the company’s history and values, the design reimagines the client and team experience for the legal practice. Ideas such as equity, diversity, connection and innovation define its new spaces and interiors.

The Design

Acoustic design for privacy and collaboration

The tall, warehouse-style space required special consideration for sound – in terms of both reverberation and acoustic privacy. Suspended acoustic panels create filters between public and private areas without fully closing them off.

Clients can walk past workplaces and see the team at work, while built-in seating creates areas for a private phone call or impromptu meeting.

The Outcome

Flooring that elevates the space

The architects selected Neoflex™ rubber flooring in a natural concrete colour. ‘It’s a busy practice,’ says designer Emily Bolam, ‘so for practicality, we wanted something really durable. And it’s a big volume, so we needed to dampen sound. The rubber has a clean and contemporary aesthetic, but also a real softness about it that complemented the design.’

Against the neutral floor and wall finishes, richly coloured textiles inject areas of colour. A striking brass wall behind reception sits adjacent the stone artwork created especially for the space, with relief design by artist Hemi Sundgren. The artwork frames large, patterned doors into the boardroom and staff hospitality area and creates an elegant foyer to host community events.

Emily Bolam

Boon

“The design reflects the company’s deep roots in the community and local cultural stories. They asked for a space where clients would feel welcomed and supported, which led to the use of natural tones and textures for warmth, as well as openness in spatial planning.”