The refurbishment of Bowen House in Wellington continues as we progress with the building’s fitout.
The design for Bowen House creates a variety of spaces to encourage collaboration and flexibility between co-locating agencies.
The ground floor provides a welcoming entry to the building and includes a café. An interconnecting staircase to level 1 leads to a large conference suite for waiata, hui, pōwhiri and other presentations and meetings.
The main tower floors are divided up into working and connect floors. Working floors offer a range of different work-point options for agencies who occupy the building permanently. Arranged as neighbourhoods, agencies will be able to work closely together and take advantage of multiple types of work settings.
Connect floors are where the magic happens. Offering a variety of both informal and formal spaces; for example meeting rooms, meeting pods, project and collaboration spaces that encourage working together. They will provide a welcoming environment for people to transition to for hui meetings, gatherings and inspiring spaces to brainstorm ideas together.
Across other floors, a learning and workshop focused design brings people together to learn or collaborate.
The physical environment is only one part of the development. Technology is a fundamental partner in providing the best working environments. Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission are leading the creation of a digital whare which embraces and adopts the latest in technology solutions.
Bowen House received some media attention last month regarding the operating model. This project supports our drive for efficiency through reduction in space requirements and standardised fit-out, with a long term focus on reducing ongoing operating costs. It represents a new approach to government property that enables a joined-up public service.
The co-location occupancy model provides flexibility and savings to agencies by reducing running costs and improving operational efficiency. Costs to agencies include security, cleaning, facilities management, power, ICT, consumables, fitout maintenance and replenishment.
As a turnkey operation, agencies and public servants will be able to access the building and technology with little need to plan or set-up their own workplace requirements. This will offer further savings and reduce reliance and spend on external conferencing facilities.
In future Property Matters, we’ll provide further details and pictures as we get closer to the opening in Q2 2025.
