BRITOMART
Project Story
This is a huge project of exacting detail undertaken in a robust urban and commercial environment.
Britomart is an area of nine city blocks at the heart of downtown Auckland. Our transformation of this vile, abandoned precinct began a two decades ago. Our work began with the intricate mapping of use – street by street, building by building, floor by floor, room by room.
It extends now to every aspect of this completely immersive environment: from street lighting and valet services to staff uniforms and cutlery. In the service of our shared ambitions for Britomart, we have built new buildings and adaptively transformed old ones.
Britomart is an area of nine city blocks at the heart of downtown Auckland. Our transformation of this vile, abandoned precinct began a two decades ago. Our work began with the intricate mapping of use – street by street, building by building, floor by floor, room by room.
It extends now to every aspect of this completely immersive environment: from street lighting and valet services to staff uniforms and cutlery. In the service of our shared ambitions for Britomart, we have built new buildings and adaptively transformed old ones.
Britomart is placed atop the largest public transport interchange in this country. The patterns of its use are intimately linked to the use of its terminal, and super-charged by the fluid movements and demands of the city that surrounds it. Retail offering boutique experience are nested just beyond: around a corner, in an intimate lane, nestled in a garden, this gives the precinct real depth: a quick dash through Britomart immerses a visitor in richly curated, accessible offerings, a more leisurely engagement rewards exploration with surprise and delight.
Throughout Britomart we have sought to shape an experience that might become emblematic of the New Auckland. We hoped in turn that this might help focus a new reading of our local and national identity. In this pursuit we deployed organic materials, casual sophistication and a unifying language of black leavened with floral and botanical softness. We want Britomart to lead this city into its own future. We think it is doing so.
Throughout Britomart we have sought to shape an experience that might become emblematic of the New Auckland. We hoped in turn that this might help focus a new reading of our local and national identity. In this pursuit we deployed organic materials, casual sophistication and a unifying language of black leavened with floral and botanical softness. We want Britomart to lead this city into its own future. We think it is doing so.
