FF&E Design with Purpose: Storytelling Through Interiors

Some projects stay with you long after handover.

There are moments in this work when the brief isn’t just a set of instructions – it’s a story, a responsibility, and a privilege.

Te Taumata o Kupe was one of those projects.

Listening First, Then Designing

I was brought into this project through an existing relationship – someone I’d worked with years earlier on a completely different fit-out. They knew we understood that design, when done with care and intention, can carry weight, meaning, and influence.

“Our role wasn’t to lead. It was to listen.”

Our scope was focused on FF&E – furniture, fittings, and equipment – but not in the way people often assume. It wasn’t about ticking off a list or selecting chairs from a catalogue. It was about enhancing the architectural storytelling already in motion, led so beautifully by TOA Architects.

Every Piece Had Purpose

Materiality, shape, tone, and placement were deliberate. Every element served the wider narrative – helping with wayfinding, enhancing function, offering comfort, and above all, honouring cultural respect.

“Nothing was filler. Every item added to the experience.”

This wasn’t just a job. It was a reminder: when design is used with intent, it becomes more than aesthetics – it becomes part of the fabric of a place.

The Often-Unseen Power of FF&E

FF&E is a significant part of what we do at Spaceworks Interior Architecture, though it often flies under the radar. From corporate offices to complex sectors like aged care, we specify both FF&E and OS&E (operational supplies & equipment).

People often think it’s ‘just furniture.’ It’s not. In reality, we consider:

Mobility and comfort
Safety and visibility
Dignity and independence
And how all of that lives beautifully within a space.

From 10 to 10,000 Line Items

Whether it’s specifying a handful of key items or managing procurement schedules with 10,000+ line items (which is common in aged care), this is where we shine.

Want to see how this story came to life?

View the full Te Taumata o Kupe project case study here.

If you’re working on a project where the furniture needs to carry more meaning than just function – let’s talk.

Email lizzi@spaceworks.co.nz, or call me on 021 392 999.

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