“The views of Canberra’s natural surroundings provide a strong connection to place throughout the workfloor. Canberra’s unique urban planning and relationship to indigenous Australia has strongly influenced design decisions from the creation of graphic and signage details to the selection of colour.

Front of house spaces take on a modernist appeal providing a sharp and professional introduction, while the less formal staff areas are treated with bands of bright colour that wrap the workfloor, providing a sense of dynamism, intensity and way finding.

Just as importantly key efficiency factors, specifically increased density of workplace population, flexible environments facilitating cost effective space management and environments encouraging interaction, have been introduced.”

Photography by Kyle Ford.
Design by SNELL Architects.

Conneq’s new offices were designed around a new triple height void and dramatic stair. A shift towards open planning, glass partitions and a generous amount of shared social space and meeting rooms reflect the client’s aspirations for unity, transparency and collaboration. The shift away from old hierarchies is further expressed by allocating the prime views to communal staff spaces rather than private offices.

This project is richer than a typical corporate environment, blending elements of hospitality, residential and corporate design. Hospitality styled furniture, sculptural features, bold lighting and refined detailing were achieved cost effectively and communicate confidence and sophistication to Conneq’s clients and staff.

Photography by Richard Glover

“In BVN’s Sydney Studio there are no offices, only meeting rooms; these can be either opened to the wider space with sliding doors or closed for privacy. All wall surfaces are usable as either drawing boards or pin up walls.

An elevated timber floor steps up from the concrete floor to form a ‘verandah’ along the Pitt Street edge, that includes a kitchen area, window benches, drop down screen and projector, television, free standing meeting tables and chairs, sofas and a foosball table. The verandah also has a new plywood ceiling, completing its differentiation from the main work floor.

Lighting is deliberately subdued with each work station having its own task lamp – this creates a softly dappled lighting effect throughout the studio.

The informality and accessibility of this studio begins at reception, where there is no reception desk, just a round table with a welcome smile.

Increasingly it is accepted that spaces that are conducive to productive activity are open and transparent with plenty of formal and informal meeting spaces and lots of shared facilities like cafes, libraries, even foosball tables. However these are simply parts of a whole, it is how they are put together that determines the ultimate feel or atmosphere of the space and whether it makes people want to be there and engage in useful activity.”

Images by John Gollings.