In the driving seat

Being part of a worldwide corporation normally involves a fit-out that meets a preset code of standards and design requirements. Such businesses tend to have a sophisticated, international flavour.

Customers at Tristram European's new Volkswagen dealership on the North Shore could feel as if they are visiting a Volkswagen showroom in London, Paris or Munich. Style, colour and layout are all generic to Volkswagen shops worldwide, and project architect David Snell worked from a standard brief supplied by designers at the corporate headquarters in Germany.

Tristram European general manager Greg Leet says customers should have the same experience in this dealership as they would if they walked into a Volkswagen shop in Germany.

"All Volkswagen showrooms have the same large piazza-style design with a central tree-shaped structure fabricated from steel, and cars laid out around this point. Even the reception desks are curved," he says.

The whole dealership is very spacious and open, with high ceilings and a yellow feature wall. Customers are able to see through to workshops where mechanics are working on cars. Another feature of the showroom is the cafe, where customers can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while waiting for their cars to be serviced or repaired.

Construction company Scope Projects worked closely with the architect and structural engineer to complete the project within a tight schedule, transforming an existing timber-framed building to meet the image and design requirements of Volkswagen.

Scope Projects removed the old timber walls and replaced them with large areas of glazing. The existing roof was retained, and a large steel structure and ring beams were fabricated and fitted around the perimeter of the building. These support the roof and windows and help to create the large, open showroom specified in the design. The steel tree-shaped structure in the centre of the showroom is a purely decorative feature of Volkswagen's design code.

Interiors manager for Scope Projects Mick King says the need to support the roof while removing the walls provided one of the challenges of the project.

"We also had to conceal the existing pitched roof. This was achieved by adding a fringe of aluminium-bladed louvres around the edges of the roofline, which provides an interesting architectural detail."

Scope Projects has been in the construction business since 2003 and during this time has completed a wide range of projects consisting of commercial, industrial, retail, educational, interior fitouts and prestige residential work. Scope Projects works closely with architects and design consultants, project managers, property developers, owners and institutions.

Scope Projects prides itself on its special approach within the construction industry of directly employing staff at all levels, and going out of its way to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget.

For more information, contact Tristram European, Cnr Wairau and Hillside Roads, Takapuna, Auckland 0627, phone (09) 441 0090, fax (09) 441 0088. Website: www.tristrameuropean.co.nz.

Or contact Scope Projects, PO Box 37211, Parnell, Auckland 1151, phone (09) 373 3366, fax (09) 373 3369. Email: scope@scopeprojects.co.nz. Website: www.scopeprojects.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas