ANZ Corporate Office Lobby Refresh

This light-touch lobby upgrade at ANZ’s Featherston Street premises was designed to transform the corporate entry into a warmer, more welcoming environment for staff and visitors. The brief focused on achieving maximum impact through targeted interventions rather than a full refurbishment; elevating the arrival experience while remaining cost‑conscious and minimally disruptive.

The Challenge
The existing lobby felt dated and transactional, lacking warmth and visual connection to adjacent spaces. ANZ wanted to create a more contemporary, client-friendly first impression while improving functionality for informal meetings and day‑to‑day use.

Our Approach
We focused on strategic upgrades that would shift the tone of the space without significant structural change:

- New joinery unit: Introduced a refined, contemporary joinery feature that anchors the lobby and enhances both form and function.

- New vinyl to the lobby entry: Installed durable, modern vinyl flooring to refresh the arrival zone and improve the overall material quality.

- New catering kitchen: Added a functional, discreet catering kitchen to better support internal events and client hospitality.

- Reclad the reception area and FOH coffee kitchen: Updated cladding and finishes to elevate visual cohesion and align with the refreshed aesthetic.

- New custom rugs: Added bespoke rugs to soften the space, define zones, and elevate comfort.

- Paint refresh: Introduced a softer, contemporary colour palette to immediately brighten and modernise the space.

- Glazing to meeting rooms: Installed new glazing to improve transparency and allow natural light to flow through the lobby, creating a stronger sense of openness and connection.

- Feature lighting: Layered feature pendants and ambient lighting to add warmth, visual interest, and a more hospitality‑inspired feel.

- Client kitchen: Integrated a welcoming client-facing kitchen to support informal meetings and enhance hospitality.

Planting and greenery: Added curated planting to soften the environment, introduce biophilic elements, and create a calmer atmosphere.

The Outcome
The result is a refreshed, contemporary lobby that feels warm, inviting, and aligned with ANZ’s brand presence. By focusing on thoughtful, high‑impact design moves, including new joinery, fresh finishes, enhanced hospitality amenities, and improved lighting; the space now supports both client engagement and everyday workplace interaction. This project demonstrates how a light‑touch upgrade can deliver meaningful transformation and long-term value.

• Project team

• Anya Kouzminova,

• Montana Barker,

• Ryan Swart,