Sometimes interior designers are a little like corporate psychiatrists. Or at least, this was the case when SJB took on Harry the Hirer's new Melbourne showroom.

For SJB Interiors, the Harry the Hirer project was about bringing together the multiple arms and functions of the business into a beautiful, pragmatic space, whilst remaining sensitive to the history of the building.

Having to marry different uses within one space – albeit a cavernous late-Art-Deco warehouse – is never a simple task. But SJB saw past the rather utilitarian existing warehouse to the bones beneath. The soaring saw-tooth roof brought in beautiful natural light, highlighting the thin metal roof structure and providing perfect showroom and working environments below.

The staffing requirements, from workstations and storage to staff break rooms and toilets found a natural home towards to the rear of the building, with the showroom presenting to visitors upon entry as a large gallery space, with reflective white flooring.

The black-and-white colour scheme sensitively melds the old and new in the showroom area, while Harry the Hirer’s blue colour scheme settled more naturally in the rear staffing areas – a nod to the company brand and history.

The task in this front space was to display the significant catalogue of products and services on offer from Harry the Hirer, without it feeling cluttered. Distinct zones were created using the steel mesh screens, as well as a large chair ‘feature wall’ – acting as both product display and a tool to draw the eye up through the two-storey void. Other zones were created using shelving, raised flooring and a long ‘light box’.

Ultimately, the space works to not only reaffirm the brand as a highly skilled, high-end events hire company, but to draw together the multiple functions of the business.

Find out more about how interior designers are like ‘corporate psychiatrists’ in Issue #67 of Indesign.
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