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New Auckland Showroom by Tim Webber Design
When Tim Webber Design went looking for a new showroom in Auckland, three things were top of mind: a great location, a space that was large enough to incorporate the esteemed New Zealand brand’s expanding collection of furniture and lighting and one that would reflect its distinctive ethos.
“We had really outgrown our old showroom in Grey Lynn and, as we brought on new brands and expanded our own range, we found that we needed a fresh new space that spoke both to our values and our evolving style,” explains Tim Webber. A larger location would also, he says, “let the furniture and lighting breathe and allow us to create considered and curated ‘moments’”.
A site on Nugent Street in the burgeoning neighbourhood of Grafton met every criterion. “It was ready to be revived and the location was great – it’s a growing destination for furniture and lighting shopping, and the space itself is surrounded by other design brands,” he says.
The Tim Webber Design team set about transforming the industrial-style shell into a showroom that would offer an elevated experience for clients. “There were a lot of things going on, and we set about cleaning up all the lines, so it felt very considered and calm when you entered. We also wanted to celebrate the site’s industrial lineage of the site, so we blended contemporary aesthetics and finishes with the space’s authentic character,” says Webber.
The Tim Webber Design team set about transforming the industrial-style shell into a showroom that would offer an elevated experience for clients.
A sense of softness was achieved by incorporating upholstered wall panels and having the existing larger walls painted in a rendered finish. The wall panels are not only an aesthetic addition: as well as being used to display both art and lighting, they are moveable, bringing a sense of much-needed flexibility. “This was a highly important aspect, as different furniture and lighting rotate through the showroom. I designed the panels to be removeable and moveable to ensure it’s simple and easy to change the position of things like wall lights, power points and paintings to suit any configuration.”
Central to the space is a bespoke design library, where clients can browse the brand’s vast collection of materials, fabrics and finishes, allowing them to explore “endless possibilities and customise their furniture selections to perfectly suit their vision”. Externally, bi-fold windows at the front were replaced with large glass panels and the black exterior was updated to a warm white, helping the showroom stand out. In essence, the new showroom offers a refined shopping experience in a space that is easy to navigate, honours the building’s lineage and is a perfect reflection of the Tim Webber Design brand’s evolution.
Central to the space is a bespoke design library, where clients can browse the brand’s vast collection of materials, fabrics and finishes.
