Gracegate Centre


Creating spaces that cater to any kind of activity

Auckland’s Gracegate Centre is a Christian Church community running a wide range of programmes for all age groups. Refitting a 450-sqm warehouse into a multipurpose hub, the designers added personality and definition using Havelock and Awake carpet tiles from Advance Flooring.

‘It’s deliberately multipurpose, almost like a blank canvas for whatever the community needs next,’ says Micah Spear of Design Architectural. ‘Someone can decide they want to run a painting night on a Wednesday, and there’s a room that can support that.’

Colour that defines without overwhelming

A new mezzanine created multiple rooms adaptable to almost any use – podcast room, counselling room, breakout space.

‘Many of the rooms were intentionally kept generic,’ notes Micah, ‘but one thing came through strongly: “We want to do something with the carpet tiles to make each space feel distinct.”

‘That’s why we used nearly every colour in the Awake range, paired with Havelock. Havelock gives you the greys, blacks and patterned base – the grounding layer. Awake brings the bold, solid colour. They work well together because you can introduce colour exactly where you need it.’

Greys and blacks run as a consistent thread throughout the building, with colour used to define zones and give energy without tipping into visual noise. ‘There’s a green room, an orange room, a maroon-aubergine room and a blue room.’

Rather than a typical steel and concrete mezzanine, cross laminated timber floors, columns and beams bring warmth to the lower hangout area. ‘That zone has the pool table, table soccer, TVs. It’s the kind of informal social space that makes a place feel welcoming, not institutional.’

A warehouse turned community hub

Alongside Havelock and Awake, the designers specified Gecko Entry Mat tiles at the threshold. ‘We removed the old roller door and replaced it with a big sliding opening, so they can still bring vehicles in when needed: packing for camps, securing gear indoors. Gecko through the entry zone gives a durable, neutral transition area that’s easy to clean and hard-wearing underfoot.

‘The flooring at the Gracegate Centre does more than finish a space. It helps turn a warehouse into a welcoming space that supports all age groups and a wide range of activities.’