Trimble creates GPS systems used in a number of industries including surveying, mapping, highway construction, transportation, agriculture, and construction. The global company had revenues of US$2.3 billion in 2013.

In 2011 Trimble’s original offices were destroyed by fire, and from the resulting insurance payout, the landowner built a new building to suit Trimble’s requirements. The premises occupy over 5000 square metres of internal office spaces spread over two floors in Middleton, Christchurch. The scale of the design and use of new, quake-safe technology make it one of the first of its kind in Australasia.

The structure incorporates three damage-avoidance technologies developed jointly by the University of Canterbury and the Structural Timber Innovation Company, and Opus, the building architects. Post-tensioned rocking Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) frames, post-tensioned LVL rocking shear walls and timber-concrete composite floors all significantly reduce the risk of building damage from seismic activity.

Flexibility, collaboration and innovation were the primary design objectives for the new fit-out. Creative Spaces worked closely with Trimble to design bespoke premises that allowed the various R&D teams to work the way they required, while still providing flexibility for those teams to be altered and repositioned to suit the requirements of new projects. The design incorporates scrum rooms, and a large number of meeting rooms with audio and video conferencing facilities to allow teams to collaborate with staff from other Trimble offices around the globe. The image of the office was critical in supporting Trimble’s drive and reputation for innovation in high-technology products.

After three years spread across prefabs, hired offices and homes, General Manager Corinne Haines said the staff were "hugely excited" to be returning to a single site, and are delighted with the results.

The colourful design makes reference to local Canterbury colours and geography – in particular red and black with Resene Bullseye and Resene Nero. Trimble’s corporate colour is blue. Feature carpet tiles in selected areas were orientated north-south and certain columns and walls display local GPS coordinates, all as a nod to Trimble’s specialisation in GPS technology. Feature colours Resene Limeade, Resene Bismark and Resene Wot Eva pop against Resene Quarter Delta in corridors and the neutral background of Resene Alabaster throughout.

The general carpet tiles were selected for their linear design and natural colour. The glazing film patterns were designed in-house by Trimble, and use motifs from the natural world in contrast to the company’s hi-tech products. Spacious colourful and informal collaboration spaces were provided to attract staff away from their workstations and support them working together. The use of Radiata pine timber in the exposed building structural elements imparts a unique and much-appreciated warmth and natural finish to the interiors.

A big challenge was the reticulation of a huge volume of data, power and antenna cabling between the computer room on the ground floor, the antenna array on the roof, and the workstations. 5kms of antenna cabling alone was installed. A capable and flexible solution was of crucial importance to the success of the project. Emphasis was placed on providing ample accessways for cabling around the perimeter and between the workstations.

Resene paints were selected because of the huge range of colours to select from, and the prompt service and local representative support.

Architectural specifier: Creative Spaces
Basebuild architecture (lighting): Opus
Building contractor: Citycare
Client: Trimble Navigation
Interior designer: Creative Spaces
Painting contractor: Spencer Painters and Decorators
Photographer: John Doogan
Signage and graphics supplier: Signtech
Supplier – carpet: Inzide Commercial and Ontera
Supplier – workstation: Vidak
Supplier – lighting: David Trubridge
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2014

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