When New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) needed new premises, they turned to corporate architects Telco to create an office space that reflected their new identity.

The company is an amalgamation of APN and Radio Network, both of which were formerly located in unprepossessing buildings in central Auckland. Their merger was the ideal opportunity to upscale and upgrade, and create a space to take them forward in the cut-throat world of modern media. The new office space in Victoria St has since proven an architectural success, with NZME Central winning 'best of the best' at the NZ Property Council 2016 awards.

Newsrooms are noisy places, so it made sense for NZME to choose a premium product to help cut down on transmission of sound in the large, open workspace.

GreenStuf Autex Acoustic Blanket (GreenStuf AAB) proved the perfect choice. Designed for minimising noise in buildings such as theatres, studios and auditoriums, it is well suited for the ceilings of many communal spaces and newsrooms in NZME Central. Visual appeal was also a key concern as the ceiling space is seen by over 850 staff, plus innumerable visitors.

Elite Insulation were tasked with installing GreenStuf AAB in the NZME building. Owner operator David Neilson explains that black and white GreenStuf AAB was chosen by commercial interior fit-out company Alaska for the areas of the building that didn't have suspended ceilings.

He explains that GreenStuf AAB is a widely known and a well-considered insulation in the industry. This made it the ideal fit for such a high profile company.

"It really is perceived to be a premium insulation product in the market."

GreenStuf AAB was used in five key areas, including the foyer and café area and open-plan offices. Black GreenStuf AAB was used in the office spaces, with white Greenstuf AAB creating a lighter aesthetic on the ceilings of the reception area.

GreenStuf AAB's strong but subtle appearance lends itself to the post-industrial aesthetic of the building; it is interspersed with exposed beams to give the space a contemporary, urban appeal.

Marcel Herbke worked with the architects on the project, and says the client has been thrilled with the results.

"Telco were nervous about how the noise would be at the launch party for NZME Central," he says. "They wanted everything to be up to scratch. They were blown away by how well GreenStuf AAB worked in that space."

He says that they have also been delighted with how cost-effective the product turned out to be and how seamlessly it worked with the interior aesthetic of the space.