The public are invited to the Blind Foundation's new Tauranga offices on Thursday to celebrate the opening of the new purpose built offices.

The purpose-built space is located at 160 Seventeenth Avenue Business Park opposite Historic Village.

High visual impact to assist the sight impaired. Photos: Supplied.

'We are very excited to share this new space with all of the Bay of Plenty blindness community,” chief executive Sandra Budd says.

'These offices have been built with our unique needs in mind. It gives us an ideal venue to carry out the essential support services that are so vital to local people who are blind or have low vision.”

CBC Construction managing director Drew Beekie says the design/build 596m2 building was designed to showcase an impressive glass frontage.

'We used a lightweight structure of composite insulated panels, with aluminium glazed curtain walling to the front façade,” Drew says. 'This provides people with ample amounts of natural daylight while working inside.”

Another key feature is the interior contrasting colours applied to the different finishes, specifically to meet the needs of those with low vision.

'Part of the design brief was to include elements that would help people identify different areas within the building, making it easier to navigate. We also had to allow for a secure area at the rear of the building for puppies in training and working guide dogs,” Drew says.

The public open day on Thursday October 8, will run from 11am until 3pm and will feature an equipment display and an opportunity to meet members of the Blind Foundation Client Services team.