Branding the bay

Good design can be contagious when you raise the bar you set a new aspirational standard that others may well aspire to. Such was the case in Tauranga, when Chow:Hill Architects was commissioned to design the relocated Tourism Bay of Plenty's Visitor Information Centre, commonly known as i-site.

One of Chow:Hill's designers, Kate Amor, says the centre was moved to a more prominent location on the corner of Wharf and Willow Streets in the CBD.

"The client wanted a contemporary update for their busy sales area. The requirement was to create a beacon an easily identifiable site that would be an inviting place to welcome both tourists and locals."

Amor says the dominant feature of the interior is the service counter, the design of which was influenced by the strong i-site branding.

"The counter echoes both the flowing, curved shape and the colours of the logo, wrapping around 360° in the centre of the space," she says.

To create a clean and uncluttered retail display area and to ensure the sales consultants would be readily accessible, the design team placed display units around the perimeter of the centre. T5 fluorescent fittings in cool white illuminate the counter, signage, advertising and information panels.

"The overall feel is similar to an art gallery," says Amor. "The lighting creates a bright, white backdrop for the display of kiwiana souvenirs, artwork and information."

Amor says that since its completion, the fit-out has generated additional and unplanned income in advertising, due to the custom-designed light boxes in the windows.

"Advertisers have been given strict size and aesthetic covenants to adhere to, which has raised the bar for design, attracting more professional advertising campaigns from local businesses. This has generated extra profit for the client."

Promotion of the greater Tauranga region is also a key element of Chow:Hill Architects' design for the new Tauranga City Council Customer Service Centre.

Amor says the commissioning of the new service centre is part of the council's ten-year urban design plan the objective being to create a more community-oriented and user-friendly service hub in the CBD.

"The council wanted to retain the city's iconic branding," she says. "The colour scheme, imagery and the ethos that Tauranga is a great place to work, live and play are all essential elements."

To this end, Resene Wasabi, Inside Back and Half Pearl Lusta were specified to provide muted tones of green, white and blue, which reflect the coastal environment.

"The colours are paired with natural walnut timber panelling, which creates an atmosphere of relaxation and friendliness," says Amor. "We also incorporated lots of evocative imagery that belongs to the council, but had never been displayed publicly. This has been applied to partitions and windows."

Amor says the council's new direction in customer service values and technologies influenced the spatial design and aesthetics. The building needs to be perceived as a reception centre, where customers are received and welcomed with good customer service practices, rather than simply another local authority centre. Consequently, the space is designed for one-on-one consultation with easily definable zones and clear visual references.

The design challenges traditional practices and provides a more intimate service approach.

"Rather than having the staff stand behind a counter, we created client liaison areas where customers and officers can sit together in a round-table setting," says Amor. "The feedback is extremely positive. The customers feel they are receiving a more personalised service, in a relaxed environment."

Designed with future-proofing in mind, the space can be changed to accommodate new technology or new requirements. All the furniture, including the counter, is modular and movable.

For more information, contact Chow:Hill Architects, phone (07) 577 1219. Website: www.chowhill.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas