The Radio Network Christchurch

The Radio Network, the broadcaster of six radio stations including Newstalk ZB, Radio Sport and Classic Hits, and a major player in Canterbury, lost its Christchurch building in the February 2011 earthquake.

Being the Civil Defence station, with an obligation to provide coverage, the Radio Network needed to be back operating almost immediately. This was achieved with the help of their Auckland Office and subsequently moving into temporary accommodation outside of the red zoned CBD.

For the next ten months with over 50 staff, the company found itself operating from a set of motel units, in somewhat cramped conditions, and with sound and acoustic challenges. So it was with a sense of achievement and anticipation that the Radio Network, on Christmas Eve 2011, moved into their new offices and broadcasting studios on the west side of the city.

Originally a warehouse, although now you would never know it, the building has been transformed into a bright, creative and modern space, with ten soundproofed recording studios, boardrooms, office suites, an IT and broadcasting complex covering over 1000 square metres. By the nature of the business with noise control and soundproofing being paramount, a large percentage of the operation is inside, without natural light. This, in itself, meant that colour schemes needed to be conducive to this working environment.

The main office areas, which cover two floors, have an open plan approach and cater for the Management, News, Creative and Sales teams. To delineate one from another it was determined to adopt different colour schemes for each team; Management being red (Resene Havoc), News blue (Resene Allports), Sales orange (Resene Tangerine) and when it came to the creative group the colours were varied, hopefully to reflect creativity (Resene Broom and Picton Blue). In all cases soft furnishing colours were chosen to match the Resene colours chosen. The broadcasting studios, which operate in subdued light, spotlights and sound control, have a colour scheme to reflect this overall quiet effect and are finished in Resene Double Cod Grey. To complete the look, other wall areas are finished in Resene Alabaster, the CA room on the ground floor in Resene Shark and the first floor create area in Resene Studio.

Building Contractor: Elite Shopfitting
Interior Designer and Colour Selection: Element 17
Painting Contractor: Competitive Painters Resene Rapture
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2012

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