The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Tenancy Fitout, Wellington

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands set a clear brief: deliver a secure, dignified workplace that represents the Netherlands and supports daily operations. The 371 m² half-floor tenancy at 40 Bowen Street, Wellington brings together secure and open-plan workstations, meeting rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and embassy-specific areas including consular offices, representation rooms, interview rooms and a visitor zone.

To support the relocation of the Chancellery to 40 Bowen Street, Tennent Brown Architects engaged us as building services consultant. Our familiarity with the base building helped streamline coordination and reduce delivery risk.

We designed all building services to meet strict security protocols while remaining accessible and maintainable. Working with the Embassy’s security advisors, we aligned services integration with diplomatic protection requirements across public-facing and high-security zones.

Key design moves included:

• Clear zoning and segregation of services for public, staff and secure areas
• Acoustic upgrades to protect privacy in consular, interview and representation spaces
• Detailed 3D coordination of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) through a tight ceiling void and around secure walls and floors
• Electrical, information and communications technology (ICT) and audio-visual (AV) containment and routing planned for limited ceiling space and secure pathways
• Buildability solutions for slab-to-slab partitions that maintained acoustic performance and met structural needs.

Our acoustic analysis guided the architectural team on how the fitout envelope affects discretion and speech privacy. We worked with the architect and structural engineer on stud width and centres, recommending partition upgrades to achieve the nominated sound insulation performance. During construction, when slab-to-slab partitions conflicted with base building services in the ceiling void, we collaborated with the main contractor to resolve clashes without compromising privacy, structure or access.

The result is a secure, professional environment that supports staff and visitors and reflects the Embassy’s standards and identity.