Sustainability and flexibility is redefining workspaces and co-working spaces. But how do you design spaces that inspire collaboration, while minimising impact on te taiao?

With nearly 6 in 10 or 58% of employees say they factor a company's commitment to sustainability in their choice of employers (2021 National Environmental Education Foundation report, 2021), co-work spaces are already responding to this shift in their fit outs.

And we need to take inspiration from 'Te Rae' Hawkes Bay's latest co-work and meeting space at 101 Queen St, East Hastings. This kaupapa prioritised sustainability and local procurement where possible. Using the Critical.'s 'Piha' Cleanstone and #YourDecalShop's decals made from discarded plastic bottles - the space is a celebration of kaitiakitanga and te ao Māori.

Here's Lucy's (CEO at HBREDA) story on Te Rae's kaupapa:

"We are particularly proud of the design and artwork, which has come from a close collaboration with #ToiMairangi, the School of Māori Visual Arts, here in Heretaunga/Hastings. Te Rae is going to be used as a gallery space to showcase (and sell) the artwork of up-and-coming local artists. One of the Toi Iwi graduates, local architect #AlexHeperi worked on our beautiful new logo, inspired by the name Te Rae, which means forehead or strongminded, a reference to our desire to make Te Rae a place for people to share their ideas and to encourage conversation that contributes to the development of our region. #TimHansen from #FayandWalterDesignStudio supported the graphic design process. Alex and Toi Mairangi’s #MichelleMataira drew inspiration from the history of this area which was once famed for the production of flax fibre, which is reflected in the designs and colours used throughout."

Ngā mihi nui Lucy Laitinen for letting us be a small part of your wonderful and exciting new kaupapa down the in Hawkes Bay.

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei!

(Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.) 

#SustainableDesign #Coworking #RemoteWork #Architects #Designers #FitOut #Retail #Hospitality #CircularEconomy #Wellness #Collaboration #InclusiveDesign #Empowerment