KOWTOW
HEAD OFFICE & ATELIER

KOWTOW
HEAD OFFICE 
& ATELIER

KOWTOW
HEAD OFFICE & ATELIER

KOWTOW
HEAD OFFICE & ATELIER

Wellington, New Zealand

Makers have had the privileged journey of supporting the growth and development of Kowtow Clothing’s operational & design headquarters known as the Head Office and Atelier since 2017. Located above their iconic Flagship Store in Wellington, the Head Office and Atelier have grown to accommodate & support a diverse team to create their forward-thinking, ethically responsible & inspired clothing.

The fit-out has been undertaken in three stages to support the company's growth demands - meaning the underlying strategy for design layout & furnishing has been one of flexibility, reuse & minimal intervention - ultimately supporting a positive, inspired, productive & collaborative work culture.

Referencing & using design elements from the Flagship Store such as the locally sourced eucalyptus timber screens ties the identity of the spaces within the building together. Lighting has been carefully selected to support task-specific work, while complementing the minimal & honest exposed structure of the building.

The layout supports a diverse set of roles and team requirements, including:
Design, Production, Archive, Marketing/Brand, Sales & Accounts. The spaces were conceived to allow each employee generous space to work with a variety of spatial options to support their daily tasks. Natural timber material warmth runs throughout the fitout, complemented by the banks of north-facing windows that bring in abundant natural light & sunshine.

Makers have had the privileged journey of supporting the growth and development of Kowtow Clothing’s operational & design headquarters known as the Head Office and Atelier since 2017. Located above their iconic Flagship Store in Wellington, the Head Office and Atelier have grown to accommodate & support a diverse team to create their forward-thinking, ethically responsible & inspired clothing.

The fit-out has been undertaken in three stages to support the company's growth demands - meaning the underlying strategy for design layout & furnishing has been one of flexibility, reuse & minimal intervention - ultimately supporting a positive, inspired, productive & collaborative work culture.

Referencing & using design elements from the Flagship Store such as the locally sourced eucalyptus timber screens ties the identity of the spaces within the building together. Lighting has been carefully selected to support task-specific work, while complementing the minimal & honest exposed structure of the building.

The layout supports a diverse set of roles and team requirements, including: Design, Production, Archive, Marketing/Brand, Sales & Accounts. The spaces were conceived to allow each employee generous space to work with a variety of spatial options to support their daily tasks. Natural timber material warmth runs throughout the fitout, complemented by the banks of north-facing windows that bring in abundant natural light & sunshine.

Makers have had the privileged journey of supporting the growth and development of Kowtow Clothing’s operational & design headquarters known as the Head Office and Atelier since 2017. Located above their iconic Flagship Store in Wellington, the Head Office and Atelier have grown to accommodate & support a diverse team to create their forward-thinking, ethically responsible & inspired clothing.

The fit-out has been undertaken in three stages to support the company's growth demands - meaning the underlying strategy for design layout & furnishing has been one of flexibility, reuse & minimal intervention - ultimately supporting a positive, inspired, productive & collaborative work culture.

Referencing & using design elements from the Flagship Store such as the locally sourced eucalyptus timber screens ties the identity of the spaces within the building together. Lighting has been carefully selected to support task-specific work, while complementing the minimal & honest exposed structure of the building.

The layout supports a diverse set of roles and team requirements, including: Design, Production, Archive, Marketing/Brand, Sales & Accounts. The spaces were conceived to allow each employee generous space to work with a variety of spatial options to support their daily tasks. Natural timber material warmth runs throughout the fitout, complemented by the banks of north-facing windows that bring in abundant natural light & sunshine.

Makers have had the privileged journey of supporting the growth and development of Kowtow Clothing’s operational & design headquarters known as the Head Office and Atelier since 2017. Located above their iconic Flagship Store in Wellington, the Head Office and Atelier have grown to accommodate & support a diverse team to create their forward-thinking, ethically responsible & inspired clothing.

The fit-out has been undertaken in three stages to support the company's growth demands - meaning the underlying strategy for design layout & furnishing has been one of flexibility, reuse & minimal intervention - ultimately supporting a positive, inspired, productive & collaborative work culture.

Referencing & using design elements from the Flagship Store such as the locally sourced eucalyptus timber screens ties the identity of the spaces within the building together. Lighting has been carefully selected to support task-specific work, while complementing the minimal & honest exposed structure of the building.

The layout supports a diverse set of roles and team requirements, including: Design, Production, Archive, Marketing/Brand, Sales & Accounts. The spaces were conceived to allow each employee generous space to work with a variety of spatial options to support their daily tasks. Natural timber material warmth runs throughout the fitout, complemented by the banks of north-facing windows that bring in abundant natural light & sunshine.

Type: Office & Design Studio
Year: 2023  |  Fit-out: Makers Fabrication

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NZIA – Wellington Architecture Awards 2022
Shortlisted – Housing

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"This refined, adaptable interior exemplifies a perfect alignment between brand and architecture. Carefully tailored to Kowtow’s ethos, the design speaks of clarity, calm, and circularity. Natural materials are thoughtfully positioned within the existing concrete structure, creating a light-filled and peaceful workspace that accommodates both focus and collaborative energy. The architects’ deep understanding of the client and their values is clearly reflected in every element of the design. Adapted and re-configured multiple times since initial occupation, the fit-out has proven to be impressively flexible and resilient – a sustainable model for a modern workplace. The space doesn’t just house the brand – it expresses its purpose with clarity and care."

Jury Citation — NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards 2025

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Photography by Bonny Beattie