Rosina Di Maria, Woods Bagot Principal Interior Designer.

When The Symphony Centre begins to rise in the heart of Auckland’s Aotea Arts Quarter, it will showcase a new way of incorporating work and play.

Global architecture studio Woods Bagot has designed The Symphony Centre to be much more than a building, instead it will be a living, breathing centre of community.

Woods Bagot Principal Interior Designer Rosina Di Maria has worked on award-winning projects in Australia and is now bringing her considerable talents to The Symphony Centre office spaces and public realm.

We asked Rosina about the breadth of consideration that goes into composing a project the scale and complexity of The Symphony Centre.

It is about creating a community, she says, where there’s a sense of connection and belonging.

"Nothing has been more of a disruptor to our work lives than COVID. But, as we move toward supporting people back into the workplace, we ask: How do you restore a sense of community and connection to place? That is what the Symphony Centre is about." Rosina said.

Rosina says multiple factors need to be considered to ensure a space meets the needs of an evolving workforce.

"While we're designing for the present, we're creating a solid base for future generations who will see the workplace differently," she says. "The boundaries of digital innovations are ever expanding, and the workplace must evolve to meet them."

"When designing, the user is always front of mind," she continues. "We design for everyone, so spaces must be inclusive, accessible, and equitable. Comfort and wellbeing mean something different to every individual." she said.

Other key fundamentals that Rosina flagged as being important were:

• History / culture – "Connecting with place requires an authentic engagement with cultural narratives and First Peoples. We have been working with Mana Whenua to tell the stories that situate the building in its specific cultural context."
• Sustainability – "The construction industry is one of the largest emitters of carbon globally. We see an opportunity to embrace truly sustainable design by setting ambitious goals for environmental responsibility."
• Connectivity – "An activated laneway network will creating a vibrant ground plane, linking the future transport hub to the rest of the city, including Bledisloe House and Aotea Square. These laneways will be activated with food and beverage, and urban landscaping by LandLAB_."
  
• Transport links – "The Symphony Centre’s location above the Te Waihorotiu City Rail Link station makes it a highly connected precinct, poised to be the epicentre of Auckland’s cultural and entertainment quarter. The civic plaza is designed to support day-to-nighttime activities, creating an accessible space to work, live and play."
  
  Rosina concludes, "Once complete, The Symphony Centre will be one of only a handful of truly mixed-use developments in New Zealand, providing a hub for cultural, commercial and residential activities. As New Zealand’s first integrated transport-oriented development, The Symphony Centre will create a vibrant new precinct to reinvigorate Auckland."

The Symphony Centre project includes the redevelopment of neighbouring heritage-listed Bledisloe House, will set new standards for sustainability and user experience.

The mixed-use project will integrate cutting-edge practices such as rainwater harvesting, curated green spaces and reduction of heating and cooling demands by utilising passive solar facade performance systems.

The construction industry is sometimes seen as one of the worst offenders when it comes to contributing to the climate crisis. Rosina said.

“We acknowledge that and we see that as an opportunity to turn the dial towards ensuring that all of our work has sustainability at the forefront of our thinking.”

The Symphony Centre will aim to minimise environmental impact from construction through to daily operations.

Ceilings reaching three metres – above the average for Auckland's commercial buildings – will reduce the need for artificial lighting.

The floor-to-ceiling glass facade will not only add to natural light but also improve the tenants’ experience, providing impressive views across the city.

The integration of biophilic design principles, which connects occupants to nature, will create a healthier and more stimulating environment.

“By integrating natural elements into the building design, we are not only reducing our ecological footprint but also enhancing the well-being of everyone who uses the space."

Repurposing heritage-listed Bledisloe House further adds to the project's green credentials as it is significantly more environmentally friendly than demolishing it, given the associated waste.

The refurbishment will retain the best of Bledisloe House including its bold mid-century Brutalist style, while transforming it into a dynamic and comfortable commercial space.

“It is about stitching new and old together, creating a dynamic community space that promotes a sense of belonging.”

Perched above Te Waihorotiu Station, The Symphony Centre will unrivalled transport connectivity, enabling people to commute with ease, reducing car congestion.

By embedding sustainability from the outset these projects will pay environmental dividends long into the future.

Another key consideration in addition to sustainability factors is developing modern workplaces that support mental health and wellbeing.

A focus on worker-centric design allows for developing interior spaces that encompass a range of needs, such as quiet spaces, prayer rooms, or rooms for multifaith reflection.

“If you feel like you can bring your whole self to work, that is the starting point.” Rosina said.

“Culture is the glue that brings people in to make them feel they are connected and belong.”

Instead of workspaces that are sealed off from the outside world, The Symphony Centre will provide communal spaces that enable people to break down the barriers between work and leisure time.

Time spent at the office should also feel healthy, balanced and enjoyable.

Companies who lease floors or work spaces will actually be joining a whole community where employees will thrive and friends and families will want to meet after work.

Staff will have opportunities to not only take time to chat with colleagues in communal spaces such as cafes and restaurants, but also meet fellow occupants of the building, creating a richer workplace experience.

“They are all the ingredients that are required to cater for the diversity of occupants.”

The integration of digital technologies in the workplace means much more flexible and customisable spaces can be created that merge physical and digital realms.

“So you are getting the best of all worlds in a super state-of-the-art building that has sustainability at its core.”

The Symphony Centre will bring imagination and excitement to inner-city Auckland, ushering in a buzz of creativity and community activity that will empower people to enjoy their time at work as much as they enjoy their leisure pursuits.