Description:

QB Studio’s new home in central Christchurch is a bold and thoughtful response to the evolving nature of work. The project brings together the adaptive reuse of an historic building with a contemporary addition — linked by a central atrium that serves as both light well and spatial pause, exposing the raw materiality of the original structure.
QB Studio offers a mix of private offices and shared zones for individuals, startups and established businesses alike. At its heart lies the QB Members Lounge — the key shared social and working space — carefully crafted to offer comfort, functionality and atmosphere.
The interior design concept builds from the industrial architecture of the base builds, softening the exposed structure and services through warm, tactile interventions. A focus on material richness and human scale guided every design move, from layered lighting to the use of dark stained timber, brass accents, rich upholstery and custom joinery. Sheer double-height curtains, varied ceiling heights and strategic furniture placement help create a more intimate, lounge-like feel while naturally guiding visitors through the space.
The central porcelain clad kitchen island anchors the lounge as both a functional amenity and a visual centrepiece. Macrocarpa blocks, New Zealand-designed furniture and subtle acoustic treatments reinforce a refined yet grounded atmosphere.
Throughout the space, public and private boundaries are managed through design rather than signage — with sheer curtains, joinery, and spatial shifts doing the work of wayfinding and enclosure. The result is a seamless, intuitive experience.
This is a space where work feels less like work — where design, craft and materiality create a place people want to be.