Image Credit : Dianna Snape
www.diannasnape.com.au
Project Overview
The 'studio' office environment suits the creative team at George Patterson Y&R. Presentation spaces and informal lounges, together with formal workstations and a reception area, form a practical modern office.
The large open spaces and high ceilings of the original nineteenth century building informed the approach of the design which sought to retain many of the heritage architectural features.
Bespoke furniture and joinery create flexible and collaborative work areas, with bookcases and different floor finishes defining areas instead of walls. The result allows daylight to permeate the spaces without being inhibited by walls or other divisions.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Scott Walker
Meredith Nettleton
Rob Ryan
Project Brief
The brief called for a 'studio' office environment that would reflect the creative team at George Patterson Y&R while still being a practical modern office. Various working areas were required, from presentation spaces and informal lounges to collaboration areas and formal workstations.
The late nineteenth century building is characterised by large open spaces and heritage architectural features including Victorian columns, a glazed atrium on level three and ceiling heights ranging from three to six metres. Retail and commercial spaces are located on the first two levels with the office space above.
To ensure the GPY&R team was able to use the space while the new fitout was in progress – a key part of the brief – much of the construction occurred off-site. The material and energy use on-site was also minimised and a higher level of finish was achieved through a process of prototyping and refinement.
In response to the client's needs, a removable furniture system – which stood free of the building fabric – was implemented, preserving the heritage character of the interior. Bespoke furniture and joinery created a number of flexible and collaborative work areas, with bookcases and different floor finishes defining spaces instead of walls. An open circular desk forms a welcoming reception area and communal staff hub. Clients waiting for meetings are invited into the heart of the workplace, in full view of the production team at work.
The result: a creative, functional design that allows daylight to permeate the space without being inhibited by walls or other divisions.
Project Need
The new fitout recaptures the building’s heritage – allowing its original architecture to stand free – and creates a welcoming space to showcase the GPY&R team’s work to visitors and clients. An open circular desk forms the reception area, reminiscent of a hotel concierge desk. Clients waiting for meetings are invited into the heart of the workplace to use the communal staff hub facilities, and in full view of the production team.
The bespoke furniture and joinery, which create a number of flexible and collaborative work areas, is a response to how the modern workplace is evolving. The removable furniture systems provide long-term flexibility within the space, ensuring minimal lifecycle costs, as well as achieving a sustainable outcome.
Much of the construction occurred off-site, which minimised building works and therefore material and energy use on-site. A higher level of finish was also achieved through a process of prototyping and refinement. The result is a functional yet creative design that allows natural light to permeate the space without being inhibited by walls or other divisions.
This furniture-based approach also allowed the GPY&R team to use the space while the new fitout was in progress – a key part of the brief – minimising costs and ensuring the team could continue with business as normal.
Design Challenge
Stripping this building back to its late nineteenth century glory was at the core of our approach to this project.
The key challenges were spreading a modest budget over a large floor area and designing within a space that was not originally intended as a workplace – the building was formerly occupied by Melbourne’s iconic Georges department store which closed in 1995. The high ceilings also presented challenge – beautiful from a design perspective but problematic for consistent heating, cooling and lighting.
Overcoming these issues meant removing decades of additions, which impeded the building's appeal, and inserting elements that stood free of the building fabric or architecture. This approach reduced expensive construction work and preserved the heritage character of the interior.
Sustainability.
Inserting elements that stood free of the building fabric or architecture reduced expensive construction work and preserved the heritage character of the interior. The removable furniture system – which was delivered in the form of a series 'elements' –provides long-term flexibility, ensuring minimal lifecycle costs, as well as achieving a sustainable outcome.
As much of the construction occurred off-site, the material and energy use on-site was minimised and a higher level of finish was achieved through a process of prototyping and refinement. This approach also meant the GPY&R team was able to use the space while the new fitout was in progress – a key part of the brief.
Interior Design - Corporate or Hospitality
This award recognises building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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