A Tour of Sanford’s New Auckland Office

Sanford, a New Zealand fishing company, committed to looking after the marine environments, recently hired architecture & interior design firm GHDWoodhead creativespaces, to design their new head offices located in Auckland, New Zealand.

“The office consists of 2 floors located above the Sanford Fish Market and Seafood School within Auckland’s vibrant Wynyard Quarter. This historic building required seismic re-strengthening to bring it up to code, and it was during this work that the beauty of the extraordinary brickwork and unique building structure was discovered. The previous use of the building to smoke fish is still discernable in the uniquely aged colour of the exposed brickwork. As designers we chose to celebrate the history, designing a fitout that highlighted and complemented it, yet also embracing the future. The key design objective of the fitout was an innovative design that was fresh yet familiar. With a sense of quality and transparency. The colours, textures and finishes all make reference to the maritime theme based around the fish market and seafood industry. From the utility “boatshed” to the fish scale kitchen splashback, small human touches such as the life ring and rope screens reinforce the theme. The slick, black understated reception counter, with vibrant graphic backdrop resolutely bring Sanford into the modern-day commercial workplace. The result is a paradoxically timeless yet historic fitout that is a joy for staff and visitor alike,” said GHDWoodhead creativespaces

• Location: Auckland, New Zealand
• Date completed: October 2017
• Size: 14,746 square feet
• Design: GHDWoodhead creativespaces
• Photos: Michelle Weir