In recent years, cyber security has rapidly developed from a relatively niche industry into a globally important sector that multi-million-dollar businesses, and even countries, rely on for protection – and in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s no bigger player than Cyber CX. When the Australian company required a new Sydney headquarters to bring together four separate offices into one space, it made sense for the fit-out to reflect the thoroughly contemporary nature of the company’s work as well as its Australian heritage – and Milliken’s Ripple and Unearthed collections played a key role in creating a sophisticated, subtly textured backdrop for the fit-out.

The new headquarters on Sydney’s Market Street – brought to life by architecture and design practice Facilitate Corporation – has been designed to promote collaboration and prevent silos from developing. “It was important that staff from the various locations came together feeling like one team and are encouraged to interact, share ideas and socialise,” says Nicole Varian, project lead and director at Facilitate Corporation. “So, there’s an emphasis on user experience via collaborative spaces, technology and social interaction.”

This approach is particularly relevant in a post-pandemic world, where employers are having to develop strategies to attract staff back to the physical workplace. The various floors are connected via an internal timber stairwell, that encourages movement throughout the different departments, alongside plenty of social spaces – most notably a light-filled wintergarden and a rooftop terrace.

Throughout the light-filled space, Australian suppliers have been prioritised – in everything from the furniture to the fabrics and solid surfaces. “We felt these thriving Aussie businesses should be celebrated,” says Varian. “By utilising as much Australian products as possible, we were able to support local during a time of great uncertainty.” The rooftop terrace, in particular, is a showcase of the natural material palette – think timber, travertine, marble, pink-blushed terrazzo, rattan, and leather.

This carefully selected palette of materials and furnishings sits against an elegant backdrop of Milliken’s Ripple carpet, which draws inspiration from the rich textures of estuaries and is manufactured at the company’s solar-powered facility plant in Sydney.

“The Ripple collection embodies a sophisticated naturally inspired colour palette, composed of tonal shades of charcoal, earthy resonance, and water blues,” explains Daniella Savian, Key Account Manager at Milliken.“ For Cyber CX, we worked with the designers to create a custom colour to suit the interiors as part of our Milliken Couture design process – resulting in a carpet which highlighted tones of light and dark greys, with white speckles that juxtaposes the bright greens and strong textures of the space.”

As a cyber security firm, Cyber CX is also home to some highly sensitive and secure zones – including an ASIC rated Zone 3 Security Operations Centre. In this area, a subtle and stimulating texture of Basin 1 design, in blue inky tones of Larimar carpet tiles from Milliken’s Unearthed collection, was utilised for intuitive wayfinding. “External visitors are often brought into the space, but it’s important that they don’t wander around,” explains Varian. “This Milliken design was used to create a ‘footpath’ through this secure space, differentiating from the Ripple design in colour and pattern.”

Unearthed creates a new approach to integrate layered texture into interiors. A robust offering of coordinating patterns provides various design elements: granular textures, linear striations, both angular and organic, and free-form shapes. For interior environments that require a striking sophistication but also appreciate the eccentric, the nuance colourways of Larimar, Jasper and Quartz inject an element of movement and energy.

Aside from its aesthetic value, the use of Milliken flooring also contributed to meeting the project’s sustainability goals. The company’s recently launched M/PACT™ carbon neutral initiative was introduced to support the fight against climate change, and it promises that all Milliken carpet, luxury vinyl tile and entrance flooring tile products around the globe are now carbon neutral.

“Our M/PACT™ carbon neutral products offset the raw materials and manufacturing carbon footprint* by using 3rd party Verified Carbon Standard Credits that support renewable energy and carbon reduction technologies to help fight climate change,” says Savian. “Milliken Floor Covering will continue to invest in new technology and shift more toward renewable energy.”

The benefits of using Milliken’s Ripple collection in the Cyber CX fit-out go beyond sustainability. A percentage of the revenue from the collection is donated to Milliken’s Product Pathway initiative – which works with the Property Industry Foundation to build homes for homeless youths and provide ongoing support for young people rebuilding their lives.

To date, the initiative has raised over $120,000 from its inception. Milliken has also donated additional flooring to the Property Industry Foundation’s Haven Houses, and staff have participated in fundraising and networking events. “Our partnership with Milliken is all about collaboration, innovation and interaction,” says Kate Mills, CEO, Property Industry Foundation. “We thank everyone at Milliken as well as their participating partners for all their support.”

^*as calculated and verified through a ISO14025/ISO14040 compliant LCA and published in third party EPD.

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