Gascoigne Associates office

Like most design studios we wanted to keep a neutral palette as a backdrop for the work we do and to preserve a timeless feel. To create a sense of individuality for each workstation and to allow us to share inspirational images, we created a number of pinboards and blackboard walls, which staff regularly update as they discover and share new ideas.

Colour is very important to us so we added Resene Funk walls along with coloured accessories and furniture to the studio area and the principal's office and a touch of Resene Refresh to the cupboard in the reception area. Black also features strongly as a foil for all the white, which is accentuated by the huge amount of natural light that floods our space.

While we can change the wall colour easily, we needed the carpet to last. This is also an area where we didn't need to worry about colour reflecting onto materials we are working on so we decided to make a statement. We picked our favourite seven colours and managed to source reasonable amounts of black, which is used as a neutral background and red which is our corporate colour. We defined a coloured 'rug' area in the centre of the studio on which our main workstation sits. The reception area is fully striped as this space had less other colours to compete with. Throughout we try to keep things changing but always highly relevant to our business and ourselves, not just meaningless decorations.

Our office is definitely a working space, not a minimal showpiece. Every surface, piece of furniture and light fitting was chosen to be practical as well as beautiful. All our files, books, magazines and samples are kept close at hand. Nothing is hidden other than 'dead files'. Overall we wanted to make a comfortable and inspirational space in which we could spend long hours working or partying hard. All visitors and new staff members comment on what a great 'feel' the space has, so we feel we have succeeded.

Colours used: Resene Alabaster, Resene Funk, Resene Refresh.

Products used: Resene Blackboard Paint, Resene Lustacryl, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

Architectural specifier: Mark Gascoigne and Naomi Rushmer, Gascoigne Associates
Building and painting contractor: Gulf Projects
Photographer: Patrick Reynolds
Other Key Contributors: GDM Group, N8 Lighting, ECC Furniture & Lighting
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2011

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