From the Resene News – issue 2/2011

Customer centric - Toowoomba Regional Council repaint

It’s often proposed that councils should combine their resources to provide a better service to ratepayers, but often the proposal gets derailed by other factors long before it has a chance to be implemented. Toowoomba Regional Council took the opportunity of the merging of seven shire councils to develop a single customer service centre to boost service levels for the 157,000 residents living in the area. Now residents call just one number to get all the service they need, instead of trying their luck with the myriad of number options they faced in the past. And as proof of their commitment to service they even promise you’ll get to talk to a real human being.

Providing good service is a function of the right people, the right training and the right resources and environment. Keeping the customer services team motivated and ready to help means that the building they work in must perform well on both a practical and an aesthetic level.

The original building in Little Street Toowomba, which the Toowoomba Council Customer Service Centre now calls home, dates back to mid last century. Still in its original form, there was a need to upgrade it to meet the needs of the new centre without losing its sense of history. This was achieved by retaining much of the original brickwork but modernising with colour to enhance the texture of the brick rather than leave its rather plain surface exposed.

A key design element is the use of curves. Curves are quite literally everywhere. Strong circular shapes on walls and floor support a central element: a curved meeting area aptly called ‘The Fish Bowl’. Resene colours on the walls echo the shapes created in the vinyl and modular carpet and on the colourful curved workstation screens.

The Resene palette is one of contrasts, from Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Triple Dune (brown charcoal) on doors through to ceilings in Resene Ceiling Flat white. Walls are finished in Resene Half Sea Fog (black edged white), Resene Triple Dune, Resene Hullabaloo (bright blue green), Resene Rendezvous (garnet red), Resene Aviator (deep dusk blue) and Resene Alibi (alkaline green gold), providing vibrant colour accents balanced with calm neutrals.

With the combination of excellent spatial planning, the latest in technology and creative colour selection and placement, this building is well set for many years of service.

Building Contractor: Hutchinsons Toowoomba Office
Client: Toowoomba Regional Council
Design Team Exterior: Opus Architects Toowoomba

 
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