| 43 T T Karen Phelps Building transformation comes out on top One of the project’s stand-out features was the creation of an internal terrace-seating arena designed to accommodate all 100 staff during weekly debrief meetings. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Zeal Commercial Interiors Wellington-based Zeal Commercial Interiors has marked its 20th anniversary this year by securing a gold award at the 2025 Commercial Project Awards for the Hnry office fit-out project. “The client was thrilled with the outcome, and all round it was a very successful project. Winning the award signifies this and what we can achieve for our clients. Especially being a smaller company, it was huge to win gold,” says Zeal Commercial Interiors director, Aaron Stagg. The award-winning project transformed 2200sqm across level 2 of the iconic former Kirkcaldie & Stains department store on Johnston Street. The brief called for a vibrant office space accommodating 100 staff to support Hnry’s dynamic team culture in the heart of Wellington’s CBD. Aaron says the project’s success stemmed from exceptional collaboration between all stakeholders. Zeal worked closely with Designgroup Stapleton Elliott and the client to overcome significant challenges, including the central location of a car ramp that effectively split the tenancy in two. The solution positioned open-plan agile working zones around the perimeter to optimise natural light exposure while meeting zones were grouped around the interior core, featuring a generous staff kitchen and social area. One of the project’s stand-out features was the creation of an internal terrace-seating arena designed to accommodate all 100 staff during weekly debrief meetings. This innovative space-planning approach, combined with contrasting floor finishes and colours mapping legible movement lines, created a truly functional and inspiring workspace, says Aaron. Sustainability played an important role in the project’s execution, with Zeal incorporating Autex acoustic solutions crafted from recycled plastics. Aaron says these panels not only enhanced acoustic performance, but also promoted healthier indoor environments and supported a circular economy. The project’s acoustic separation resulted in effective sound isolation between offices and meeting rooms – essential for video-conferencing requirements. Seismic detailing added another layer of complexity, requiring deflection heads, integrated bracing for building services elements and maintaining optimum acoustic performance. Aaron says the outcome exceeded expectations to such an extent that it sparked interest from Hnry’s Sydney office. The construction phase also presented its own challenges, requiring careful coordination with the base-build contractor, and attention to detail for exposed building services components. Despite start-time delays beyond the company’s control, overlapping base-build and fit-out programmes were developed to achieve the target completion date. As Zeal Commercial Interiors celebrates two decades in business, Aaron says the company has weathered industry changes, and is proud of its commitment to old-fashioned values of quality and outstanding service. The tightknit team has many decades of combined experience specialising in interior fit-outs and construction. “We’re a small business that thinks and acts big. This makes us both versatile and adaptable, allowing us to take on projects both large and small with confidence,” says Aaron. He says the gold award recognition arrives at a particularly significant time, marking not just the project’s excellence, but also the company’s resilience and growth over 20 years. Bring New Life to Your Office and Home Because they deserve beautiful flooring. wellingfloorlimited.co.nz Proudly Supporting Zeal Commercial Interiors Carpets | Vinyls Marmoleum | Timber samuel@solutionselectrical.co.nz 04 472 2222 | solutionselectrical.co.nz This is our second design - build project with HNRY. After a successful first fit-out, we welcomed the chance to get creative in this new space. We incorporated large lighting features with cosy break out areas. Using lighting to emphasise different areas can be a challenge, however our experienced electrical designers collaborated on an innovative, sustainable and cost effective solution. Congratulations Zeal on winning the Gold Award!
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