Greenery design for Aurecon’s workplace, Te Tihi, helps bring the project’s strong cultural narrative to life.

The green spaces crafted by Outside In reflect Aurecon’s vision to help its people to be creative and cultivate connection.

Our collaborators, Warren and Mahoney, worked in partnership with Aurecon and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to produce a workspace that creates a sense of place and embraces te ao Māori, the Māori world view. The inspiring greenery we crafted supports the wellbeing of its people, and the company’s hybrid and flexible work approach.

The project’s success has seen a significant increase in the number of staff choosing to come into the office.

Inspiring greenery by Outside In can be found throughout Te Tihi. The scale of these green spaces reflects another aspect of Warren and Mahoney’s inspiration, which references the ancient super gardens once present in Tāmaki Makaurau. Planting adds points of interest that complement the many bespoke features in this workspace, including the taurapa (a waka stern) central timber staircase. Green spaces help define the different areas within the building and bring Warren and Mahoney’s design intent to life. The scale of the planting scheme supports productivity. Clusters of freestanding planters filled with mature specimens add lush texture. These complement the colour palette specified by Warren and Mahoney.

Our experts applied biophilic design principles to ensure the planting benefits health and wellbeing. In the desk areas, we created bespoke plant troughs and plant racks to delineate the working zones. These create green screens that centre people in nature. Natural light flows through the interior, and productivity is promoted. Exposed structural columns are softened with wall-mounted planters. Spaces dedicated to wairua (the spirit or soul), such as Aurecon’s wellness and prayer rooms, are enlivened with plant racks and wall-mounted planters. Greenery brings calm, tranquillity, and creates a harmonious working environment. Views of inspiring nature are ever-present in this multi award-winning workplace.