Motion Sickness opens doors at new Grey Lynn HQ

The new home of Motion Sickness marks the next chapter for the growing agency.

Motion Sickness ECD and founder Sam Stuchbury speaks to the meaningfulness of the building: “We went from a flat in Dunedin, to a villa in Mount Eden, to a loft in Newmarket, then to a studio on Cross Street. To be honest, I never imagined we would be in a dream space like this. If things went well, I thought we might get a few more trestle tables. So it’s pretty special—it’s more than just a building; it’s an embodiment of what we’ve all built and what I believe we can continue to do. Within these walls, I hope some of the most iconic ideas of our time are born, and the careers of those who pass through the doors are made.”

To mark a new beginning for the agency, Motion Sickness welcomed the dawn with a karakia, led by Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrakei, alongside leaders from Te Whānau o Waipareira, Whānau Ora, and Te Whare Runanga.

Says Kātene Durie-Doherty, Kaitaunaki Māori Motion Sickness: “As we move into a new phase of growth, we acknowledge the whakapapa, whenua, and whānau that shape who we are. By honouring our mana whenua, the wider community, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we reaffirm our commitment to keeping Te Ao Māori at the core of everything we do as we continue to grow. A heartfelt thank you to Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrakei, Te Whānau o Waipareira, Whānau Ora, and Te Whare Runanga for their ongoing tautoko and guidance.”

To accommodate its expanding team and services, the agency needed a new home and building concept. Their new HQ on Maidstone Street offers ample room for the larger team, with open-plan work pods, multiple meeting rooms, an edit suite, production space, and outdoor areas. A significant portion of the building is dedicated to social and breakout spaces, allowing for a free style of working away from traditional desks.

The building was designed in collaboration with Wonder Group, with a unique vision established from the start.

Buster Caldwell, creative director at Wonder Group speaks to the building approach: “Creating unique microcosms for lounging, collaboration, and creativity. The old is layered against the new, with key pieces specially designed bespoke for Motion Sickness. Effortless yet character-full, the space most importantly reflects the fluid and unconventional nature of Motion Sickness’ incredible work.”

Says Stuchbury: “We wanted a breath of fresh air with a slightly vintage aesthetic. Our north star was 70s Los Angeles in the sun—hints of pink glass and blues textures, but with enough clear space to give you room to think. As an agency, we would never have suited a bland space; we wanted a place with character that reflects our creativity. A place where you can write a retail headline with your face in the sun and your feet on some powder blue carpet. Pretty much a work-home that makes you not want to work-from-home.”

One of the agency’s favourite features is the master boardroom, which boasts plush powder blue carpet, a custom brushed-steel table, and pink-tinted glass.

Says Buster: “The Motion Sickness HQ needed to do more than just house a team — it had to capture their spirit. Motion Sickness is an agency for the new generation, by the new generation, allowing us to approach things differently than your typical workspace. We transformed the ‘gallery-white’ building with a playful yet polished style: brushed aluminium, rose-tinted glass, powder-blue carpet, and recycled strand board coexist in a space that feels both nostalgic and futuristic, blending the irony of the golden era of the 70s workspace with the forward-thinking mindset of a fast-growing agency.”

The agency has also added a storefront window and plinth at the street frontage of the building. The window is being donated monthly to up-and-coming artists as a free space to showcase their work to the public and present their creativity. To feature work in the gallery window, email thewindow@motionsickness.co.nz

With the doors officially open, the agency welcomes clients, friends old and new, to visit for a coffee and biscuit.

To find out more about the space head to www.instagram.com/motionsicknessstudio/