Howard Building Corporation

Project Description

Air New Zealand is an international and domestic airline group that provides air passenger and cargo transport services within New Zealand, as well as to and from Australia, the South West Pacific, Asia, North America and the United Kingdom.  Air New Zealand also encompasses business units providing engineering and ground handling services, and their subsidiaries extend to booking systems, travel wholesaling and retailing services.  HBC worked with architects at Gensler on the design and build of Air New Zealand’s 11,000 square foot regional office, located in El Segundo, a particularly challenging location to coordinate since the airline’s staff is located in New Zealand – 11 hours in time difference away.

The office was designed to replicate an aircraft cabin environment with a minimal, white pallet and vibrant pink, purple, orange, and green accent wall colors. The lobby features seating one would find in the aircraft cabin and a full wall graphic of an Air New Zealand aircraft flying above the clouds at sunrise. Remotely controlled cove LED lights are programmed to shift through an array of colors subtly changing the atmosphere of the lobby through time.

Conference rooms with flush full height glass partitions include recessed, back-painted glass marker boards and advanced audio visual capabilities.  The primary conference room acts as an emergency command center, employing eight large monitors that allow for the entire panel to appear as one integrated screen or as individual stations connected to various sources of input.  All audio visual components, cabling and security features were included in the scope of construction. 

The office space features an open floor plan with carpet tile installed with a unique pattern that defines a pathway through the office.  An open area lounge extends from an open meeting area that can be closed off with folding glass partitions to create a training room.  The main break room features a tall counter with bar seating against an exterior window offering a view of El Segundo from the 9^th floor office space.