JB Morrison Lawyers

JB Morrison’s fit out is located on the top three floors of Massey House, designed by Ernst Plischke and Cedric Firth.  Completed in 1957, it was the first partially curtain-walled building in New Zealand and an early example of International Modernismhere. 

An original central atrium brings daylight deep into the floorplate of the north tower, while a rare rooftop terrace, featuring an iconic sculptural lift overrun, affords views north to the Cenotaph and harbour beyond, and south along LambtonQuay.

The strengthening, restoration and refurbishment of Massey House was undertaken concurrently by Architecture Plus allowing the base build to be aligned with the fit out design. All key heritage elements specific to the design detailing of Plischke and Firth were fully refurbished in keeping with the building’s Category 1 heritage listing including lobbies, stairs and the timber veneered interior core that feature as part of fitout. 

The curve of Lambton Quay gives the building shape and floorplate an unconventional and quirky nature which was embraced by Athfield Architect’s design.  These converging lines are played on further in the planning and detailing of the fitout. 

The existing timber veneer clad core around the bathrooms and the original safe room are retained on each level providing a strong central core.  This strong timber core was echoed in the southern tower to conceal service rooms and provide a strong backbone to the open plan support staffareas.  

The heritage curtain wall and strong structural frame provided constraints around the cellular office and meeting room layouts.  A light touch of glazing to the façade minimised the reading of the cellular offices from the exterior while cellular offices are broken up with breakout area to provide relief and connection out to the citybeyond.