As a workspace, The Crown and the Canopy is visually stunning in form and amenity rich in function. Designed by Hammond Studio, with Todd Hammond as project lead, this Members Lounge for a global lifestyle brand has it all.

Sited on the uppermost floor of the Poly Centre (designed by Grimshaw) and located in Sydney, the interior reflects art nouveau-style modern architecture through sweeping internal structures, a sophisticated colour palette and carefully selected furnishings. Working closely with the client, Hammond and his team have investigated requirement and delivered something extra special through the interior design.

“We didn’t necessarily want to engage with the building but design something within that space that was complementary to the building and the shape of the volume that we were working within,” says Hammond. “The inspiration for the structures is very much taken from Catalonian modernism.”

Internally, the floor plan reads as two pavilions with dramatic peaking rooflines. There are sweeping curves and geometric forms that rise around and above the working life inside, and this becomes the ‘crown’ of the building, a place where all can gather, collaborate, work or rest. Aside this, a second free-standing structure presents with a canopy tree-like form; together, the two structures become the core of The Crown and the Canopy.

“Sited on the top floor, one of the pavilions does present like a crown and the other one has some biophilic notion to it by having a tree canopy as well. So, in a lot of our projects we rely on biophilic design to create that inviting space and we thought of two different pavilions both having their own language, complementary to each other and the volume of space that they’re in,” reflects Hammond.

The design is complex and Hammond has created something extraordinary within. What could have been simply a standard workplace design has been catapulted to next level through the internal structures and demarcation of spaces. Furnishings are comfortable and luxurious but not overwhelming. The colour palette is concise, cream with dark timber hues and touches of peach. There is room to move and a spaciousness but also a sense of intimacy.

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“The major challenge for us was the speed of the construction, making sure that detail was executed right on-site. It’s quite a large void in a fairly small floor plate of 3600 square metres but the void was 100 square metres, so that that in itself was a challenge – having connection within a large void in a small floor plate,” adds Hammond. “We definitely had to have a presence on site on a daily basis for such a detailed and quick project.”

The Crown and the Canopy is an exemplar and shows what can be achieved with out-of-the-box thinking, as Hammond explains: “I’m proud of us for taking a risk with the design. It happened because when you’ve got the right client, a great site and you’ve got more of an open brief, then you can creatively go for it. I think the outcome is quite exciting and something that’s very unique when it comes to workplace design.”

Todd Hammond established his eponymous studio in 2017 and, since then, the practice has grown quickly with a multitude of successfully completed projects. Quality and detail are at the heart of the studio’s ethos, as the best in functional design is combined with high-quality aesthetics paying particular attention to materials, craftsmanship, the environment and heritage. While Hammond Studio primarily focuses on workplace design, there are myriad ongoing projects in the sectors of hospitality, retail, residential, health and product design.

The Crown and the Canopy by Hammond Studio is an entry to The Work Space in the 2024 INDE.Awards and the category is proudly supported by MillerKnoll.

Hammond Studio
hammondstudio.co

Photography
Terence Chin

More workplace design at Maitland Administration Centre