The University of Waikato’s Te Piringa: Faculty of Law has recently moved into a new $20 million plus building, shared with Waikato Management School. The iconic landmark (6000m2 and 5-storeys) was designed by OPUS and marks the 50th anniversary of the University. Features of the building include a living lawn roof, natural ventilation, natural lighting, meeting rooms, teaching rooms, a fully functional moot courtroom and a sunken courtyard.
The University’s Facilities Management team, in conjunction with Law and Management staff, had shortlisted a selection of Instinct Furniture designs and approached Paul White, our Director of Design, to prepare space planning in response to their concise brief. The furniture was to deploy throughout the informal learning zones over two floors.
The design focuses on creating light, spacious and open areas for working, interacting and studying.
The site and philosophy suited our new MEMPHIS Seating range, delivering a range of inviting and versatile seating options for both individuals and collaborative groups— all in the distinct, strong and confident MEMPHIS style.
MEMPHIS Seating range, provides a choice of areas for people to meet, study and interact.
On the lower level:
MEMPHIS Single Seater — a streamlined, robust and roomy lounge chair. One of the benefits of MEMPHIS Single Seater is its eminent versatility within the already highly versatile MEMPHIS range. It can be positioned individually, or grouped neatly in pairs or rows.
MEMPHIS Single Seaters positioned opposite MEMPHIS Radial Ottoman (with back) and teamed with SPARROW Tables, EXPRESSO ROUND Tables and APPLE Stools.
All lower level MEMPHIS Seating was upholstered in wool; cool grey with a striking red accent, in harmony with the building’s clean, modernist materials.
MEMPHIS Single Seater in a row of four — in use with SPARROW Table and APPLE Stool.
MEMPHIS Radial Ottoman (with back) — a modular, wedge shaped seat that groups in curves to achieve a range of configurations. MEMPHIS Radial Ottomans come with the backrest to the inside or outside to achieve your preferred configuration.
MEMPHIS Radial Ottoman (with back), positioned in an inviting half circle, around the impressive floor to ceiling concrete pillars.
MEMPHIS 1600 Settee — in the same style as MEMPHIS Single seater but simply longer, MEMPHIS 1600 Settee caters to those who like plenty of room to spread out, or is ideal for a group of friends who want to chat.
MEMPHIS Settees in face to face arrangements, providing an inviting and relaxed seating option.
MEMPHIS Seating was teamed with a selection of compact and manoeuvrable tables, including our SPARROW Laptop Table, our EXPRESSO ROUND Table and our EXPRESSO LINEAR Table.
Into the mix was added our T9 COMMA Table, with its continuous curves. T9 COMMA Table with brake castors is highly mobile and designed to either nest together in pairs to form a large interactive worktop, or deploy singularly to seat five.
T9 COMMA Tables were teamed with our PUNCH Chairs (castor option), with upholstered seats to match MEMPHIS Seating.
Groupings of our Socrates FLICK Study Stations with their generous sized worktops and Satinglas privacy screens were positioned along one side of the lower level.
Socrates FLICK Study Stations and PUNCH Chairs provide a quiet and focused study space.
On the upper level:
MEMPHIS Radial Ottomans (no back) feature on this level, positioned in three long, intriguing ‘worm like’ formations, suitable for both individual study or a group of friends. The cool grey wool upholstery remains, with a bright ochre accent added, to complement the architect’s floor treatment.
MEMPHIS Radial Ottomans (no back), teamed with SPARROW Tables forms an inviting informal area.
SPARROW Tables with their own unique personality are scattered randomly. SPARROW’s steel frame provides strength and stability, while the glide mounted ‘V’ legs allow students to move them around freely to work alongside each other or singularly.
NOOK Booths also feature on this level. NOOK Booth is all about a private, friendly and focused space, within a broader learning lounge environment – the perfect hideaway to work, interact and socialise.
NOOK Booths positioned face to face to encourage collaboration, teamed with EXPRESSO Linear Table and SPARROW Table.
MEMPHIS Single Seaters are positioned in pairs around the student reception area.
MEMPHIS Single Seaters.
WOW BROCHURE Display Stands were deployed to present a range of promotional material in a tidy and easily accessible format.
WOW BROCHURE Display Stands.
Our TO GO Screens complete the picture and were positioned in the staff zones to provide space division, privacy and atmosphere.
Highly mobile TO GO Screens, with upholstered panels for pin board use.
The range of furniture chosen provides flexibility in both seating and table arrangements, whilst complementing the building’s strong architecture.
Hideaway or socialise, work together or alone, the choice is yours.
