Walker Interiors 2025

INTERIOR

ABOUT WALKER

WALKER GROUP ARCHITECTS Established in 1932, Walker Group Architects Ltd. is a leading, multidisciplinary architectural and interior design firm based in Auckland, New Zealand. With a rich heritage of design excellence, we craft immersive and sophisticated spaces that seamlessly blend aesthetics, functionality, and innovation. We are New Zealand’s most experienced retail and fit-out designers having created highly successful selling environments for most of New Zealand’s leading retail brands and shopping centres.

Similarly, we have created many successful hospitality, hotel, commercial and airport spaces. From single rooms to multi-billion dollar shopping centres we have done them all.

At Walkers, our passionate team of registered architects and interior designers specialises in creating or transforming environments across diverse sectors, including Commercial, Retail, Hospitality, Residential, Entertainment, and Community spaces.

Our expertise extends beyond traditional architecture, focusing on creating interiors that inspire, engage, and enhance the human experience. We specialise in designing integrated environments where exterior and interior realms flow together seamlessly and harmoniously. We understand and can design everything from lighting to furniture to ensure every aspect of the built environment works together.

Our collaborative studio fosters creativity, precision, and attention to detail. From concept to completion, our directors and senior designers work closely with each project, ensuring a seamless design process that reflects our commitment to quality and innovation. Whether crafting luxurious hospitality interiors, dynamic retail environments, or bespoke residential spaces, Walker Group Interiors are dedicated to bringing your vision to life with flair and technical excellence.

ABOUT WALKER

OUR APPROACH Our passion for crafting lasting, visually compelling interiors has remained unwavering over the decades. We take pride in our structured, yet flexible design process, guiding clients seamlessly through every stage—from concept to completion—ensuring each space is not only functional but deeply inspiring. We believe interior design is more than just a sequence of steps; it is a dynamic and collaborative journey. True innovation emerges through meticulous attention to detail, thoughtful engagement, and meaningful dialogue with our clients and stakeholders. Every project is shaped by open communication, where ideas are refined, visions are brought to life, and interiors are tailored to elevate the experience of those who inhabit them.

Our specialist interior designers approach each project as a cohesive team, integrating client aspirations from the very beginning. By actively listening and responding to their needs, we evolve our designs organically, ensuring every detail reflects purpose, personality, and practicality. This collaboration extends beyond our studio, drawing from diverse expertise and collaborative partners to push creative boundaries and craft spaces that are both functional and inspiring. We are dedicated to exceeding expectations—delivering interiors that are not only beautifully designed but also enduring in impact.

But it is not all about us. We have built our reputation by listening to our customers to tailor interiors specifically to their unique needs. Whether this is a deeply personal residential space, or a hard-working retail environment aligned to the particular needs of its target market. The result is that we have consistently lifted turnover and brand recognition for the many of the worlds most beloved brands by creating spaces that not only reflect the brands culture but also support the highly complex functions of making brands work

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ABOUT WALKER

OUR SERVICES We are specialist interior designers offering a comprehensive range of services aimed at guiding clients through every stage of their projects, from initial feasibility studies to on-site construction oversight. Here is an overview of our capabilities:

Hospitality: Walker brings extensive experience in the hospitality industry, covering hotels, luxury lodges, food courts, restaurants, cafes, bars, fast food, and kiosks. Through this experience, we understand that the primary objective of any hospitality project is typically to increase revenue while ensuring cost-effective fitouts, and we possess the expertise to achieve this. Our approach starts with a focus on enhancing the overall customer experience. This begins with thorough site analysis and attentive listening to our clients, aiming to elevate the customer experience through exceptional design and innovative thinking. Additionally, our expertise extends to back-of-house design, including commercial kitchens, where we specialise in creating highly functional environments that optimise operational efficiency. Understanding that the success of a hospitality operation hinges on service quality, we ensure the back-of-house is equipped for hard work and delivering excellence.

Retail: Not only is Walker one of the most awarded retail design firms in New Zealand, but we also boast extensive experience in retail rollouts, having completed over 3,000 projects both in New Zealand and internationally. Our portfolio spans nearly every retail category, including fashion, electronics, supermarkets, cosmetics, footwear, automotive, childrenswear, boutique shops, showrooms, flagship stores, furniture, hardware, automotive, stationery, banks, department stores, airport retail, books, furniture, homeware, jewellery, surf wear, sporting goods, and service stations – you name it, we've likely designed it.

Entertainment: We bring extensive expertise in designing cinemas and entertainment centres that redefine the viewer experience. With a focus on innovation and functionality, we integrate cutting-edge technology with architectural flair to create immersive environments. Our portfolio includes a range of projects from multiplex cinemas to bespoke entertainment centres, each tailored to enhance patron’s comfort and enjoyment. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our ability to blend aesthetic appeal with practical design, delivering spaces that cater to both entertainment industry standards and audience expectations.

Interiors: Our experience in interior design spans spatial planning, finishes selection, lighting design, and specialist joinery. This includes conceptualising layouts, selecting materials, coordinating lighting schemes, and crafting bespoke joinery solutions. We aim to create cohesive, aesthetically pleasing environments that maximise functionality and elevate the overall user experience.

ABOUT WALKER

REASONS TO WORK WITH US Specialist roll-out, shopping centre, cinema and hospitality designers Extensive national, and international experience in over 3,000 interior projects.

Recipients of more than 170 local and international design awards Brand positioning and strategy specialists Proudly maintaining relationships with some clients for over 40 years Proven track record of increasing branded-space performance and profit Proven track record of creativity and innovation Proven track record of service & cost control Proven capacity to deliver projects to program Trusted by many of New Zealand’s most successful retailers for 30 years Specialists in customer experience and branding at all touch points New Zealand’s most experienced roll-out specialists Ability to deliver “End to end” design and implementation service Significant international retail brand design experience Strong emphasis on sustainability and minimising environmental impacts Regardless of your project size, your interior will be handled by our senior staff Prioritising cultural sensitivity and honoring local heritage and traditions.

Diverse project portfolio of projects of varying scale, category, and complexity Reputation for timely and on-budget project delivery across numerous projects

CLIENT SNAP SHOT

POPO DUMPLINGS AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Popo Dumplings is a newly created food offering which sits in a freestanding kiosk at Auckland International Airport’s Airside food court. The name derives from the Chinese word for “Grandmother”, referencing the traditional, handmade nature of the cuisine. The intention was to produce handmade dumplings and noodle dishes prepared fresh on site to serve customers seated at the bar or in nearby commonarea seating. The target market is both European and Asian, but the kiosk particularly targets travellers from the East who struggle to find familiar food, such as spicy, savoury breakfast dishes.

The cabinet carcasses are made of timberand designed in modular parts for portability.

As everything is cooked to order, and the kiosk serves almost no pre-prepared food, we had a huge counter frontage, but very little to display on it (apart from some drinks) so we added seats to one side of the kiosk to add interest so customers could also enjoy seeing the dumpling preparation up close. Light levels in the area are very low, so we hid small LED spots where we could and supplemented these with glass pendants reminiscent of old gas lamps.

We deliberately kept the palette quite neutral and wanted to create more of a The result, although dwarfed by construction hoardings in the photos, sits well in the traditional, old-style Chinese restaurant feel rather than a modern “Chinese take- open space as a beacon to anyone wanting something more authentic than typical away” look. Colours were limited to earth-tones, coppers, browns and soft pinks to food-court offerings. suggest rock salt. Counter faces feature aged copper and antique-looking tiles in brown, pink, and bone tones. We created a new logo in English and Mandarin with the Chinese characters set on a red square.

The kiosk was fully fabrictaed, primarily using a steel frame for the higher areas for ease of disassembly and transport.

HOSPITALITY

FRENCH COUNTRY COLLECTIONS AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND We were thrilled to collaborate with French Country Collections on their flagship store in Newmarket. Having gained a deep understanding of the brand’s aesthetic vision from previous projects, our task was to transform a spacious 350-square-metre corner site into a warm, inviting space that reflects the charm of French food markets, vintage stores, and European boutiques.

To achieve this, we carefully selected materials that balance vintage French country style with a fresh, homely feel. A large, barn-style swing door was designed to divide the space, creating more intimate areas while allowing for easy transformation due to its movability. Another standout feature is a suspended grid system in the main window, which supports hanging pendants and greenery, that add an organic, European market touch.

RETAIL

COCORO AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Cocoro was commissioned by former Soto chef Makoto Tokuyama as a showcase for his distinctive and very natural take on modern Japanese food.

The décor includes a subtle tatami-style matting, sandblasted concrete ceilings, macrocarpa slats and a large dining table in the middle of the room where customers can dine side by side. All of the selected materials are natural and recyclable. The result is a space that has a contemporary Japanese feel and complements the degustation and tapas style menu with its simplicity.

Cocoro has been featured on international interior design websites Dezeen and WAN, and has received multiple accolades. It won an Aucklnad Architecture Award in the interior Architecture category at the 2011 New Zealand Architecture Awards (NZIA), as well as Gold in the Hospotality category at the 2011 Best Awards.

It was also recognised in the restaurants & Bars Divisoin, nourishment Group, and spomsor Shopfront Awards at the 2011 NZRIA RED Awards.

HOSPITALITY

WALL STREET DUNEDIN // NEW ZEALAND Ōtepoti Dunedin’s Wall Street shopping mall connects George, Filleul, and St Andrews Streets with the city’s historic shopping precinct, while also linking two other shopping centres together forming the city’s main retail block.

The development combines both street-front retail and shopping along the lower level of the atrium’s internal “street.” Office space and car parking occupy the remaining two levels of the three-storey complex. The concept was to create a series of lanes and courtyards to provide continuity within the city’s shopping district, offering shelter from Dunedin’s variable weather. The complex comprises a collection of distinct buildings one traditional and two modern designed to align with Dunedin’s existing architectural scale, rather than imposing a large, conventional mall on the city fabric.

The main atrium space initially narrows as you enter from George Street, building a sense of anticipation before widening into a generous internal courtyard capped by a glass roof. The intent was to create a space that feels as though it has existed naturally between buildings for decades, rather than presenting as a suburban-style mall transplanted into the urban core. The atrium includes shops, a café, food tenancies, a sunken seating and dining area, landscaping, and vertical circulation to the upper levels.

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INTERIOR

HOTEL DEBRETT AUCKLAND CITY // NEW ZEALAND The iconic Hotel DeBrett has been stylishly reinterpreted into a 25-room boutique hotel, with each room individually designed and complemented by eclectic furniture, New Zealand art, and photography.

Walker Commercial collaborated on the concept with the client Michelle Deery and Mitchinson Simiona Architects, who completed the project and documentation for the exterior design, while we handled the design of the atrium space and lighting, as well as upgrading the ground floor to suit the needs of boutique retail. The interior spaces were designed in collaboration with Martin Hughes Interior Architects.

The hotel won the 2009 NZIA Auckland Architecture Award (Heritage Category), Bronze at the 2009 DINZ Best Awards in the Hospitality category, and was a division winner at the 2010 NZRIA RED Awards. It also made it onto the World Architecture News Retail Interiors Award (a leading European design competition) ‘long list’ in the Hotel category.

RETAIL

COMVITA QUEENSTOWN // NEW ZEALAND Comvita is a hugely successful, yet relatively little-known, New Zealand export brand with around 480 retail outlets, primarily in Asia. Their product range includes natural health and beauty items, mainly formulated from honey and olive leaf. (They own the world’s largest olive plantation, located in Australia.)

This prototype flagship store was conceived as a model for ongoing primarily international rollouts. It was designed to reflect Comvita’s simple and natural approach, tell their story, and promote its new face and beauty products, primarily to its target Asian market.

SILK ROAD AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Silk Road is a restaurant located in the landside food court at Auckland International Airport, serving a variety of Asian cuisines.

As part of a refurbishment, the airport required a menu shift to focus on Thai food although Chinese and Indonesian dishes are still served so the design needed to reflect this combination of influences.

We began by considering the overall look and feel of the newly formatted restaurant. Because the intention was not to reflect a single cuisine, we chose to style the space like a late-colonial merchant house restaurant, commonly found throughout Asia.

We aimed to portray this pan-Asian theme without explicitly listing the various cuisines on offer. To achieve this, we designed and commissioned wall murals with an Asian street motif scenes that could be interpreted as from any food market across different parts of Asia. The interior was deliberately finished in dark tones, with a series of eclectic light fittings suspended from the ceiling. The ceiling itself was panelled to resemble the underside of a merchant-house floor. The front of the counter is clad in genuine Chinese antique bricks, each over a hundred years old.

The ceiling is painted in a brown rust tone, and neon street-food signs complete the look.

We believe the result evokes the atmosphere of a genuine backstreet Thai restaurant. Despite reducing the seating capacity by more than half, sales remain strong and staff no longer have to evict unconscious or grumpy backpackers at the start of every shift.

HOSPITALITY

HALLENSTEINS QUEENSTREET, AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Hallenstein’s Queen Street flagship store advances their current fit-out model. The site Hallenstein’s largest store at 522m² is housed in the historic Lewis Eady building (formerly Supré). It retains remnants of the original interior and existing building elements. Our client didn’t want a complete departure from their current fit-out model, but they were keen to retain and expose as much of the “raw” building shell as possible to serve as a backdrop to their merchandise all without alienating their mass-market fashion customer by appearing like an unapproachable boutique.

We sought to capitalise on the unique character of the existing building by taking a very pared-back approach, allowing its newly exposed textures to come forward and serve as a backdrop to the merchandise. This was a challenge, as much of the original interior had been lost during previous structural works even the shopfront had been removed. We replicated some of the frontage’s geometry and reinstated previously lost features such as the column grid and steel joinery. Our approach was to simply expose everything and avoid refinishing any original surfaces, thereby celebrating the innate character of the building and its proud past.

We believe the result is innovative in that it elevates a mass-market retail format without appearing too upmarket which might have alienated the target demographic. The budget was tight, with structural, fire, heritage, and services challenges; however, the interior has strong customer appeal, bridging the gap between mass-market and hard-edged urban retail. Key original elements of the

historic building were brought back into view while complying with stringent heritage regulations.

Overall, we believe the resulting interior is a fun and stimulating place in which to shop.

RETAIL

WRIGHT’S JEWELLERS PUKEKOHE // NEW ZEALAND Wrights Jewellers is a long-established family business in Pukekohe, first opened in 1912 by Walter Wright. Our practice fitted out the shop in 1999 for his son, Gary Wright, and 20 years later it was passed down to his daughter Rhian and her partner Ben, who approached us to give it a whole new look one that reflects a new generation taking over.

There was a clear desire to shift toward higher-end, trend-oriented jewellery, while still honouring the personalised customer service and bespoke craftsmanship offered by their in-house jewellery manufacturer.

To retain the shop’s heritage, the clients requested that several wall and grandfather clocks remain. However, the old fit-out with its dark timber and navy carpeted floor was replaced to make way for the store’s new identity. The new set of jewellery display counters we designed are open underneath to enhance the sense of space and reduce the perceived barrier between staff and customers.

Polished brass accents were used to reference the shop’s history, but reinterpreted with modern forms and placements. These were complemented by light ash timberlook laminate, used extensively in the joinery due to the cost constraints of real timber.

Soft greys were applied to walls, cabinets, and drapery to create a neutral base that highlights the timber and brass finishes. The overall intention was to establish a fresh, stylish setting that remains welcoming to the wider Pukekohe community.

Rhian and Ben successfully managed much of the build themselves, engaging young local contractors and cabinet-makers who delivered their work to an exceptionally high standard.

The project came in almost exactly on budget a minor miracle, given the size and scale of the transformation. The result is a delighted client base and a community of locals who now find any excuse to visit the shop and admire its fresh new look.

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HAYAMA LANDSIDE AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Our long-standing clients, Kiwi Discovery Ltd, approached us to design a new freestanding store in Auckland International Airport’s landside farewell zone more commonly known as the food court. The site presented particular challenges: in addition to being very small for the kitchen and refrigeration equipment required, it lacked many essential services, as it had previously operated as a coffee kiosk.

We broke up the bulk of the space by incorporating large graphic panels, including an illuminated overhead sign, onto which we applied traditional Japanese cherry blossom patterned panelling to balance the natural ash timber used elsewhere. TV screen menus and traditional Japanese teapot displays were introduced to further break up the solid walls and add visual interest to surfaces that would otherwise be plain especially considering that all the products are displayed in refrigerated wells in the counter. The elevated branding allows customers to identify the kiosk across a very crowded food court. Warm-coloured lighting and tonal graphics were selected to enhance the natural timber finishes.

We believe the result successfully reflects the nature of the products on offer and effectively conveys the authenticity of traditional Japanese cuisine especially when contrasted with the more fast food oriented outlets in the food court, such as KFC, McDonald’s, and Nando’s. It also brings an element of food theatre to the environment.

HOSPITALITY

HALONG BAY AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Our clients wanted Hayama’s airside outlet to reflect the branding and delivery of the other natural-looking restaurants throughout Auckland International Airport.

We decided to turn the earlier Hayama concept on its head by staining the timber a near-black charcoal colour in contrast to the natural ash used elsewhere which gave the space more of a “night-time dining” vibe while still complementing the black, white, and red branding used throughout the chain.

Space was extremely limited, so we chose to install only high-level, freestanding communal tables to minimise the seating area and provide customers with a place to rest their wheelie bags while dining. In addition, we introduced dining height seating around the column, with an authentic Japanese feel created through hanging cushions and a traditional teapot display above. We used scalloped tiles on the columns and throughout the tenancy as a subtle reference to the seafood focus of the menu.

The site was difficult to identify from a distance due to the lack of exterior walls, so we persuaded the airport to allow signage on the front of an existing column although they required that it not touch the column itself apart from minimal fixings.

The result has been very well received and is extremely popular with diners. The Auckland International Airport landlords were so pleased with the outcome that they entered it into an international design competition for airport retail.

HOSPITALITY

HALLENSTEINS & GLASSONS WELLINGTON // NEW ZEALAND During our 20-year association with New Zealand’s leading fashion chains, Hallenstein Brothers and Glassons, we have helped them reinvent their brands multiple times. This most recent iteration was a complete rethink of the fit-outs for both labels right down to the logos and signage.

It’s not that the previous retail formats (shown elsewhere in this presentation) were unsuccessful; in fact, quite the opposite they helped the brand achieve increased revenue of over 26% per quarter. It was simply time to push the brands even further ahead of the competition. As proof of this, another New Zealand fashion brand had begun producing near-exact copies of the Glassons fit-out and manufacturing them in China.

The new flagship store marks a significant departure from previous fit-outs in several ways: it is the first time both brands have been housed within a single location, albeit on separate levels. It is also the largest store produced to date, at approximately 1,336 square metres. The aesthetic is pared-back, minimal, industrial, and edgy aligning with the expectations of its target market.

The building itself formerly Whitcoulls is a historic structure that presented many challenges, including the need for a full seismic upgrade. Although most of the original interior features were lost due to the extensive structural work required, we aimed to retain a sense of the building’s hundred-year-old character in the new fitout. We incorporated exposed brick, pressed metal ceilings, and reclaimed timber to make the space feel as though it had been stripped back to its original bones—then simply layered with merchandise, VM, and large-format video walls that speak for themselves.

As usual, both time and budget were extremely tight.

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HOSPITALITY

KAPITI STORE AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Parent brand Fonterra commissioned Walker to design a one-off concept store in Auckland’s CBD (Shortland Street) to showcase its cheese and ice cream ranges. This initiative was led by Fonterra’s marketing department to build brand awareness for its specialty, high-end products within the restaurant and catering market, as well as among high-net-worth individuals. The store also serves as a hosting venue for Fonterra’s larger national and international clients. (Images are included in this presentation.)

The store won the Supreme Award, as well as the Convenience Stores Division and Nourishment Group categories at the 2012 RED Awards, and is currently a finalist in the 2012 Best Awards.

HOSPITALITY

OKO AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Oko Dessert Kitchen is a restaurant specialising in high-end, individually prepared desserts, along with a range of patisserie products and beveragesall prepared on site.

It also sells Mövenpick ice cream.

The interior was designed to reflect a clean, modern, and functional aesthetic upmarket enough to align with the premium-priced dessert offering, yet not so grand as to discourage casual coffee or ice cream customers. White Carrara marble evokes the feel of a traditional French patisserie or Italian gelato shop. Gold accents, strong tiling, and timber round out the traditional material palette, while clean lines and minimalist forms point to the modern, stylish nature of the desserts created.

Overall, the interior is designed to suggest both tradition and modernity, without being easily categorised as a café, patisserie, or full-service restaurant. Forms and mirrors are used to break up a tight and challenging space. We believe the final result successfully reflects the unique nature and personality of our client’s offering.

HANNAHS AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND We were engaged by Hannahs to redesign their store, aiming to blend heritage with modern sophistication. Our design honours Hannahs’ 150-year legacy of quality craftsmanship while embracing a contemporary, welcoming atmosphere. Every element has been thoughtfully curated to elevate the shopping experience: warm lighting, natural materials, and streamlined displays create a sense of comfort and elegance.

The layout draws customers in with large living walls visible from the entrance, complemented by a highlighted feature display at the entry. Toward the back of the store, a dark-veneered counter connects visually with the framed entry portal, creating a cohesive flow. This connection is further emphasised by a large digital screen framed in matching black veneer.

Our design celebrates Hannahs’ legacy and commitment to quality, making each visit a step into timeless style.

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HOSPITALITY

CALI PRESS AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Cali Press (short for “California Pressed” juice) is an Australian juicer and café concept originating from Melbourne. Our clients acquired the New Zealand rights to the brand and, after establishing a small juice factory, needed to create a retail outlet for their products. Their first site was on Graham Street in central Auckland. They proposed developing a new design concept that would reflect not only elements of the Australian fit-out but also the simple, pure nature of the products while conveying the mood of California and its emerging health-focused cuisine and lifestyle.

We set about designing the interior, which is quite a tight space given the room required for food storage and preparation. We developed a simple layout centred around a single long stainless steel prep bench (with most of the equipment and much of the storage beneath it) and a white service bench.

The palette is very simple: blonded timber flooring, plywood walls and joinery, white floor tiles, white laminate cupboards, black steel detailing, and stainless steel equipment and workbenches. Decoration is provided by a custom-painted mural of a Californian palm tree on the back wall and some understated signage. Seating is limited to a bench seat running along the left side and a few spots in the window area, primarily for customers waiting to pick up takeaway orders.

The result is a simple, functional, and highly cost-effective space that, we believe, reflects the essence of California’s clean, healthy lifestyle.

HOSPITALITY

ALLPRESS AUCKLAND CITY // NEW ZEALAND Walker prepared the concept and detailed design for Allpress Coffee’s “Biscotto” pilot store on Ponsonby Road. This small space serves as a mini-flagship for the Allpress brand on Auckland’s premier café strip, where it already supplies most of the leading cafés.

The goal was not to compete in terms of a sit-down dining experience, but rather to promote the brand’s take-home coffee beans and experimental biscuit product.

277 WESTFEILD AUCJKLNAD // NEW ZEALAND Walker prepared the full design concept for Westfield’s upcoming refurbishment and extension of their 277 flagship shopping centre.

This will be New Zealand’s only “Black Label” mall, featuring a very high level of design, fit-out, and customer service. We worked closely on this project with Westfield’s in-house design and architectural team, who will complete the construction documentation in Sydney.

RETAIL

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TRELISE COOPER WELLINGTON // NEW ZEALAND The client’s aim was to re-launch their presence in Wellington with a new flagship concept that would include elements adaptable for future locations.

The challenge of working with a world-famous fashion designer is to support but not overpower the fashions on display, nor to be confined to a single architectural style. Walker’s intent was to incorporate elements of Trelise’s eclectic, colourful, and detailed style into an environment neutral enough to suit a variety of garments, seasons, and events.

Customer experience was paramount in the design from the welcoming entry to the comfortable fitting rooms and the joy of the velvet swing. Details are especially important to Trelise, so the material palette is more complex than that of a typically minimal contemporary fashion store. The resulting experience has been very well received by both the client and customers.

The project was recognised with an award in the Red Awards, Apparel Division.

KUMANU LODGE QUEENSTOWN // NEW ZEALAND The brief was to design a holiday home that would contrast with our client’s residence in Singapore. Large open-plan living areas allow for entertaining but can also be subdivided to create more intimate spaces. Accessibility for the client’s elderly parents was also a key consideration.

The site is located on the west face of the Crown Terrace, overlooking the Wakatipu Basin, on just under five hectares. The building platform sits in the rear northeast corner, within a large, gently sloping field. Constraints included strict covenants on materials, roof shape, and an unusual maximum height clause measured from the excavated ground level. Due to the 5.5-metre height restriction, the roof form was broken into a rhythm of small gables. This allowed for a series of skillion ceilings, helping to define the internal spaces while creating a greater sense of volume and light.

INTERIOR

ICE BREAKER AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Icebreaker’s new flagship store is located in the international terminal at Auckland Airport. This particular store is aimed directly at departing tourists and is designed not only to showcase the latest Icebreaker products, but to do so within a distinctly New Zealand environment one that reinforces the brand’s identity and origin.

All materials are natural: New Zealand pine or ply for fixtures and ceiling beams, natural timber flooring, semi-random stone tiles that replicate South Island schist, and real barn wood sourced from Canada. The walls are painted with a cementitious finish, while the back wall is clad in real New Zealand moss. The shopfront is deliberately barn-like and open, encouraging customers to flow easily into the otherwise narrow store.

The goal is to create a shopping environment that is interesting, memorable, and evocative of New Zealand’s unique landscape so that customers are more likely to seek out the brand again in their home markets or online. In this way, the store functions as much as a billboard for New Zealand as it does a retail outlet. From both sales and customer feedback perspectives, it is performing very well.

The project was awarded the 2018 Red Awards Brand Implementation Excellence Award.

RETAIL

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SMITHS CITY NATIONAL ROLL OUT // NEW ZEALAND As Smiths City approaches its hundredth birthday, this iconic Christchurch retailer has sought to modernise its large-format furniture and homewares offering in preparation for the next century. Although well known in the South Island, the brand is less established in the North Island and wanted a fresh, competitive format to counter strong competition while reinforcing its “Live Better” market proposition.

This Hastings pilot store was formerly a Mitre 10.

Most retailers in this sector are purely functional, whereas customers are often seeking inspiration first. We created a more home-like environment with room sets and lifestyle displays, including a working demonstration kitchen. Circulation was clarified with a series of angled “Avenues” and “Lanes,” enabling customers to navigate between and within departments. These departments were defined by different coloured flooring. A feature TV wall serves as a visual drawcard, encouraging customers deeper into the store.

We positioned the electronics department at the front to attract customers with impulse offers and to demonstrate leadership in this category not just the furniture Smiths City is best known for. A series of “huts” referencing Canterbury’s vernacular architecture act as signposts to key areas, including the central service hub, which supports easy interaction between customers and staff.

The material palette was inspired by the brand’s Cantabrian heritage: the furniture area reflects the colours of the surrounding hills; the electronics area suggests the patchwork of the plains; and the “wets” (whiteware) area is coloured in the blue of the Pacific Ocean. Fittings were primarily pine and ply, embracing a distinctly New Zealand building aesthetic and reflecting the brand’s “value” positioning.

Fixtures were standardised to enable easy rollout and consistency of display, ensuring the store remained cohesive rather than becoming a collection of individual suppliers’ stands. The lighting was upgraded to LED high-bays and localised spotlights.

RETAIL

HUE AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Hue Ponsonby emerged as the second installment in a pioneering chain of colour only hair salons, targeting women seeking regular hair colouring without the premium salon prices. With a vision to swiftly and economically establish multiple Hue salons within existing structures, our approach prioritized simplicity and adaptability in fitout fixtures, favoring sleek, white designs that seamlessly melded with their surroundings.

The project redefined the salon experience by revolutionizing traditional layouts to enhance client comfort and foster interaction. Departing from the conventional model where clients are often shuffled and confined to facing walls, Hue introduced a more social setting. Whether seated at the "Colour Table" or lounging in the relaxed ambiance of the "Colour Lounge," clients enjoyed a café-like atmosphere, engaging with each other while stylists attended to their needs.

Nestled within a characterful brick workshop on Franklin Rd, Ponsonby, the salon exuded a rustic yet contemporary charm with its exposed brick and timber interior.

Vibrant vinyl graphics adorned the GIB walls, showcasing the Hue brand identity and injecting bursts of colour into the space. A suspended acrylic screen, reflecting the signature Hue colours, defined the Customer Lounge, offering clients a sense of connection to salon activity while providing a tranquil haven for relaxation

TESLA AUCKLAND SOUTH // NEW ZEALAND Tesla Kirkbride is a state-of-the-art 28,780 sq m EV facility located in South Auckland.

The new site features a full showroom, numerous on-site EV charging stations, a service centre, a delivery lounge, a parts warehouse, and offices. The facility has also been fitted with emission-reducing features such as LED sensor lighting, rainwater harvesting, and partial solar power via Tesla solar panels linked to the Tesla Powerwall.

A key aspect of the project was to deliver a seamless customer experience from start to finish, while maintaining a highly functional facility for a client experiencing rapid growth in New Zealand.

RETAIL

HAYAMA AIRSIDE AUCKLAND AIRPORT // NEW ZEALAND Our clients wanted Hayama’s airside outlet to reflect the delivery and branding of the other natural-looking restaurants throughout Auckland International Airport.

We decided to turn the earlier Hayama concept on its head by staining the timber a near-black charcoal colour (instead of the natural ash used elsewhere), creating more of a “night-time dining” vibe while still complementing the black, white, and red branding used throughout the chain.

Space was extremely limited, so we chose to install only high level, freestanding communal tables to minimise the seating area and provide customers a place to rest their wheelie bags while dining. In addition, we created some dining height seating around the column, with an authentic Japanese feel achieved through the use of hanging cushions and a traditional Japanese teapot display above. We used scalloped tiles on the columns and elsewhere in the tenancy as a nod to the predominant use of seafood in the menu.

The site was difficult to identify from a distance due to the lack of exterior walls, so we persuaded the airport to allow signage on the front of an existing column although they insisted it could not physically touch the column apart from minimal fixings.

The result has been very well received and is extremely popular with diners. The Auckland International Airport landlords were so pleased with the outcome that they entered it into an international design competition for airport retail.

HOSPITALITY

METRO SKY CITY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER QUEENSTOWN // NEW ZEALAND TThe brief was to produce a high-quality building to house activities that principally revolve around or feed off entertainment.

It was a challenging development, as we were building over Auckland’s major civic carpark, across two existing inner-city streets, and around three historic buildings that had to be retained and encompassed. The new building needed to be exciting, memorable, and exude the essence of entertainment.

The structure is part of the entertainment hub known as The Edge. Its footprint fronts Aotea Square, Bledisloe Concourse, and Queen Street, and it abuts The Civic Theatre, with which it shares loading facilities. A tall, narrow, aerofoil-plan atrium cuts diagonally across the complex, serving as a pedestrian link in lieu of the original streets. With its walls and roof made of the same material, the atrium appears as an alien object above plunging into and taking root in the old Fergusson and Civic buildings, highlighting the contrast between old and new.

Most of the activities housed within the complex such as the cinemas, Planet Hollywood, and the IMAX theatre are inward-looking. Patrons enter a ‘different world,’ where everything is designed to reinforce the entertainment experience: stimulating the senses and offering enough variety that they can discover something new each time they visit.

Awards: BOMA Supreme Award, 2000 NZIA Resene Colour Award – Architecture, 2001 IES Lighting Premier Design Award, 2000

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ENTERTAINMENT

GRANADA MALL CINEMA GRANADA // DUBAI We were tasked with delivering a large, high-quality multiplex within an existing mall despite an unfortunate column spacing that presented significant design challenges.

Complicating matters further, no existing structure could be removed, yet the client required a specific number of screens. Adding to the complexity, this multiplex was to be more cost-effective than the previous one delivered in the Dubai Mall, while still achieving a similar feel.

We successfully provided 15 screens, including 2 Dolby theatres, 3 Platinum cinemas, and 2 children’s screens. Provision was also made for the future expansion of indoor and outdoor function areas. The cinema was completed in 2022.

ENTERTAINMENT

METROLANES AUCKLAND CITY // NEW ZEALAND The owners of the Metro Centre in Auckland wanted to repurpose 1,400 m² of a large-volume space into a socially relaxed ten-pin bowling experience, centred around a simple food and beverage offering and capable of accommodating international-standard competition.

The venue features 12 bowling lanes serviced by a bar and kitchen at entry level, a 120 m² deck extending from the bar seating area onto Aotea Square, and four mini lanes located in a mezzanine function space. The concept proposed breaking up the lanes to create a series of more intimate experiences, without losing the sense of the larger whole.

The design allows both the playing and bar areas to grandstand over the adjacent public square while maintaining a degree of separation. New and youthful technology is integrated throughout edgy yet comfortable.

INTERIOR

COLLEGE & MASON AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Templeton engaged Walkers to provide masterplanning services followed by full documentation for a 100-home development. The project sold rapidly based on our presentation material. The concept focused on delivering low-cost housing with several house typologies, while creating an urban neighbourhood designed to retain long-term value for investor purchasers.

To ensure construction economy, great attention was given to the repetition of details and buildability particularly for the terrace houses. Following an urban design review, Council requested that the main corner of the site reach four levels, so a small apartment complex was designed to accommodate nine apartments and establish a strong urban corner element within the Stonefields landscape.

INOX MULTIPLEX BANGALORE // INDIA This six-screen, 1,100-seat complex occupies the first floor of a multi-storey shopping centre in Bangalore, India.

The concept is based on a rich colour scheme of red and blue, offset against black and white ceiling and floor backgrounds. Materials were selected to define the interior forms, shifting in appearance under coloured lighting. Reflective and repeated surfaces multiply impressions of colour and texture. Given the very low ceiling heights and awkward volumes of the shell building, the use of dynamic lighting and colour variation creates a sense of expanded space and visual richness in the main ticketing and concessions areas.

ENTERTAINMENT

AIR NEW ZEALAND ‘CLOTHES HANGAR’ AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND The ‘Clothes Hangar’ was created to showcase Air New Zealand’s new uniform, designed by Trelise Cooper. The solution is a nod to a swept-up, eclectic Kiwi bach, offering staff a shopping experience like no other. Designed by Walker, in consultation with Saatchi Design Worldwide, the project ensured alignment with the brand and the design of in-shop elements.

The Clothes Hangar is located among factories and industrial warehouses not where you’d typically expect to find a full-service, head-to-toe styling and grooming experience. However, a unique experience is exactly what Air New Zealand staff encounter once they pass through the blocked-out front entrance and enter a bright, clean, white space.

On arrival, staff are greeted by mannequins dressed in the new uniform, allowing them to see and touch the various pieces and understand how they work together as a cohesive wardrobe solution.

Walls are finished in random-patterned V-grooved panelling, and the floors are a washed oak. Together, they provide the perfect backdrop for the signature blue tube racking, which “taxis” its way around the shop and into the fitting rooms reflecting the common-thread concept.

Kartell furniture and accessories are displayed on wall-mounted shelves, alongside framed graffiti prints taken from the men’s waistcoat design. The checkout area features a bright pink counter and coordinating graffiti-print wallpaper. Just outside, a large framed window is filled with Polaroid images of staff wearing the new uniforms.

The ‘Styling Room’ offers staff the chance to select new shoes, and beauty consultants are available to demonstrate preferred makeup applications and hairstyles to fully complement the new uniform.

The response from Air New Zealand staff, management, and uniform designer Trelise Cooper has been overwhelmingly positive each group ‘blown away’ by the entire experience.

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HONDA AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND When Honda New Zealand Chief Executive Nobu Sonoda approached us to redesign their flagship branch his main criteria was the customer’s first impression was that it should look like that of a five-star hotel. His reasons for this were that a Honda customer welcome should be second to none so as to reflect the respective the brand has for its customers. This design ethos needed to be woven into an iconic pyramid-shaped space that had been untouched for 30 years.

The new space was designed to really make the most of what is quite an unusual space. The front of the building is raised up, with workshops underneath and showrooms and office on top. The building really needed a bit of a lift to live up to its great location. The space was designed to be much cleaner and spacious . A large foyer space greets the customer upon entry, with the cars given space to breathe, focusing the customers attention. Flanked by a customer lounge to the left and sales executives to the right, customers are guided through their journey to the reception counter at the centre of the space. The ancillary office services are neatly concealed away behind this reception centre.

Customer reaction has been even better than management hoped for, with customers heaping praise on the new facilities and the improved sales and service experiences. This has had a very positive effect on the branches’ turnover.

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NOSH AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND Nosh Mt Eden is part of an expanding boutique supermarket chain and occupies 825 square metres of a former furniture store on Dominion Road.

Nosh aimed to undercut supermarket food prices while delivering the freshest ingredients possible. With this goal in mind, we created a minimalist interior consisting of concrete floors and benches, an exposed ceiling, and industrial-style fixtures—showcasing the product without unnecessary fuss. Personality was introduced through white tiles, timber accents, and Nosh’s signature black walls, which double as blackboards for specials.

Nosh won Bronze at the 2010 Best Awards.

5 MILE SHOPPING CENTRE QUEENSTOWN // NEW ZEALAND Approaching Queenstown’s Frankton area from Cromwell and Alexandra along State Highway 6, a prominent retail hub anchors the corner of Grants Road, adjacent to the airport. At its heart is the region’s first Countdown supermarket, delivered as the initial phase of a larger 28,000 m² retail and commercial centre serving Queenstown.

A central, on-grade community car park is framed on three sides by four architecturally unified buildings. Though consistent in material palette, each structure expresses a distinct character through varied forms and detailing.

To the east, Building 1 marks the gateway to the precinct. A two-storey structure housing commercial and banking retail at ground level with offices above, it is signposted by a monumental precast pylon that defines the site’s entry. Its Grants Road frontage features a dramatic sunshade wall—an expansive perforated mesh screen suspended on exposed steel trusses. Glazed and solid canopies extend from a robust concrete core, while the façade composition alternates tectonic panels of metallic tile, precast concrete, and cedar louvres, interspersed with ribbon glazing to create visual rhythm and depth.

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CONTACT

Ground Floor, Kauri Timber Building 104 Fanshawe Street Freemans Bay, Auckland, 1141 PO Box 5319 Victoria Street West, 1142 New Zealand Phone : +64 9 373 3828

www.walker.co.nz

www.walker.co.nz