Within the urban landscape of Auckland, Anthony Harper law firm – one of New Zealand’s most storied legal institutions – has undergone a significant evolution in its workspace with a move to ANZ Tower. This relocation — an intentional departure from the often-staid design of traditional law firms — was deftly handled by Wingates, who conceived a that prioritises inclusivity, flexibility and the wellbeing of its occupants.
The experience is not limited to the structure. Occupying the 34th and 35th floors, the overlooks the Waitematā Harbour, with sweeping views that speak to the firm’s forward-looking vision. “We were conscious that we didn’t want the views to become an everyday backdrop. On the client floors, we tried to frame those views and reveal them at different moments,” says Bryant. “We were influenced by the harbour and the patterns of the natural elements, which shaped the forms.” Wingates’ design mirrors the values of Anthony Harper, translating 150 years of legal heritage into a workplace that amalgamates connectivity and adaptability.
“Anthony Harper spans over one-and-a-half floors. We have the client-facing meeting rooms and interactive spaces on one level and staff zones on the other,” explains Sarah Bryant, Principal of Wingates. “We wanted to give them a larger, socially collaborative space for staff, in contrast to their previous office.”
The result is a cohesive and engaging staff hub, which has quickly become a nexus for social interaction and informal gatherings. Level 34 serves as the public interface, hosting formal and informal client meetings in a series of carefully composed spaces. The sense of openness and transparency underscores the firm’s progressive identity, doing away with the rigidity often associated with traditional legal environments. Instead, the focus is on creating versatile areas that cater to both private discussions and collaborative interactions, bridging the historical gravitas of the firm with the modern demands of legal practice.
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To accommodate both client and staff needs, each section of the office is flexible, shapeshifting over the course of the day. The upper level, reserved for authorised personnel only, is left unwalled. Here, Wingates addressed the challenge of a deep floorplate, ensuring equity in workspace desirability by democratising access to the coveted window seats.
“The building is a rounded form, with amazing views over the harbour. What typically happens in this kind of floorplate is the window seats are prized, but we saw the challenge to make every aspect sought-after,” confesses Bryant. By eliminating spatial hierarchies, the design aligns with Anthony Harper’s ethos of inclusivity, ensuring that all areas — whether for work or leisure — are equally desirable. “In the centre of the building, we designed a raised platform so the people inhabiting that zone were elevated slightly above those sitting at the window seats,” adds Bryant.
This project has since become a precedent for many other law firms and how they practice. “In the future, perhaps there’s a different working model, where they move towards desk-sharing, where you get spaceless growth, and you don’t have to change the furniture and layout too much,” Bryant concludes. The free-flowing layout speaks to a new model of practice, where physical space serves both as a backdrop for legal excellence and as a catalyst for connection and growth.
Wingates
Photography
Jono Parker
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