Plumbline Project Role:

or both customers and staff members within their Auckland Showroom.

Rarebirds Interiors were engaged by Plumbline New Zealand to create a space that would encourage a luxurious experience for both customers and staff members within their Auckland Showroom. The Introduction of product display opportunities, staff work stations and functioning facilities through a non-traditional retail plumbing space were the successful design outcomes on this project.

The immediate interaction with distinct materiality, shapes and design elements that reflect a residential environment, sophisticated material selection such as timber, CDK Catarina Quartz, daringly different shaped WOW design and patterned tiles and Aalto Paints plaster renders in sensuous colours  evoke an emotional connection for the customers and staff. The strong use of the contemporary curved shape explored through the wall tiles, circular lighting, oversized oak dowels & curved cabinetry details, enhances an innate biophilic reference & inspires those using and passing through the space.

The curved shower display with its textural integrity & curation of gunmetal fixtures flows onto the kitchenette  featuring integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances and quirky shaped cabinetry. The accessible toilet again championing textured tiles with bespoke Rarebirds timber sconces blurs the line between accessibility and high end design powder room. Printers and aesthetically damaging office product are hidden behind oak panel sliding doors within reach to the central workstations, and presenting as part of the oak “bookcase” that serves as display & sample storage, almost a home office feel.

Continuity but not complete repetition of palette, materiality & details connects various zones within the showroom, inviting the customer to explore and engage. Texture, texture, texture inspiring those who move through the space to embrace creativity.

The warmth of oak panelling links the separate spaces together & provides a design anchor for other elements of materiality. The emotional connection to being underwater was achieved with magnificent large format IMOLA tiles, a surprise behind each door.

Craftsman detailing to framed curved shelving sit elegantly  with oversized oak dowels, communicating an elevated design intent and illustrating both Plumbline & Rarebirds Interiors’ appreciation of quality.