Where timber meets the sky
Bates Joinery in Christchurch delivers a masterclass in craftsmanship.
The Christchurch showroom of timber products specialist VidaSpace was designed to captivate from the moment you step inside. The entryway celebrates the warmth and versatility of timber with an elegant series of coffered ceiling panels, accentuated by soft integrated lighting that draws visitors in. The wall and ceiling planes are clad in VidaSpace veneer, applied in large-format panels to maintain cohesion. Flush detailing, concealed junctions and an absence of visible fixings celebrate the purity of the timber material.
At the heart of the space is a floating curved island that functions as both a workspace and a sculptural centrepiece. Construction of the island required a highly technical approach, with VidaSpace Radica Di Madrona veneer precisely formed over a series of custom-fabricated ribs, ensuring the integrity of the island’s silhouette, maintaining the illusion of lightness and providing stability.
Another standout feature is the monolithic wall plane, reflecting the clean aesthetic and handleless theme within the space. This is achieved using the push-to- open Blum Revego Duo pocket door system, engineered to fully recess into the cabinetry, and serving as a fully functional, practical kitchen space when engaged.
Overall, it’s a bold design that demanded impeccable workmanship to highlight the best of the showroom products. In the hands of Bates Joinery, the result is not only a showstopper, it’s an award-winner, earning the Best Regional Award for Canterbury at the NZ National Master Joiners Excellence Awards 2025 and the Supreme Award & Best Specialty Fit-Out at the Canterbury Master Joiners Regional Awards 2025.
Bates Joinery has been designing, creating and installing superbly crafted kitchens and wardrobes, timber windows, doors, staircases and cabinetry for over 60 years, with a long, upstanding reputation for excellence in Christchurch.
Whether you’re renovating a home or fitting out a new build, Bates Joinery ensures a seamless experience from concept to installation, using premium materials and the latest techniques to achieve exceptional results.
It’s that experience and craftsmanship that made this demanding showroom project such a success, exemplifying the synergy between design, material innovation and technical delivery, pushing the envelope
of timber application through modern fabrication and expressive detailing.
