Housed within Fonterra’s Fanshawe Street headquarters in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, the refurbishment of the executive boardroom and its supporting hosting spaces represents a sophisticated evolution of the brand’s physical environment. As the hero meeting space for New Zealand’s largest company, the project required a design that not only exuded executive polish but also prioritized the human experience from the moment of arrival. We looked beyond the boardroom itself to curate a seamless journey, transforming adjacent waiting areas, ante rooms, and breakout spaces into high-performance zones that support the complex flow of executive functions and corporate hosting.

The centerpiece of the room is a large, custom-designed table system engineered to solve a significant technical challenge: the need for a space that remains intimate during smaller sessions while comfortably housing 24 people for full board meetings. This adaptable system features integrated, state-of-the-art AV and IT solutions, ensuring that video and audio clarity remain flawless regardless of the table configuration or where an individual is seated. This technical precision is matched by an intensive focus on acoustic performance, where we implemented strategic treatments to enhance clarity within the room and ensure total privacy between sensitive zones.

To align the wing with the wider Fonterra brand experience, we elevated the materiality and aesthetic to match the high standards set in other key environments throughout the building. The result is a suite of spaces that balances technical excellence with a refined, tactile look and feel, celebrating Fonterra’s global stature while remaining deeply connected to its home in Aotearoa.

Photography: Hamish Melville