Designing a workplace is not just about designing a functional space. These days it’s about designing a productive space that caters to where, how and when people work best. Enero has embraced this need for adaptability, providing an office and a culture that facilitates diverse and flexible work modes. Designed by Amicus People & Culture and The Bold Collective, Enero’s new office, located in a heritage-listed woolshed in Pyrmont, Sydney, is a vibrant workplace and agile environment.

Enero is the umbrella company for a network of marketing and communications businesses including BMF, Naked and Hotwire. Now, not only under one umbrella, these businesses are also consolidated under one roof where they can more easily collaborate whilst maintaining their individuality.

The office is divided into what Amicus project director James Peebles describes as “home zones” that balance the needs and identity of each business. Each home zone has been specifically designed and branded while bump spaces encourage connectivity. Amicus and The Bold Collective worked closely with Enero and the individual businesses to establish the most appropriate and productive workspaces. “There is a variety of workstation styles – regular, circular, and high benches; booths; collaboration zones; and focus/quiet areas – which allows workers to select an area based on the type of activity they are performing,” James says. “It’s interesting to see how the businesses operate in the different spaces. Some are clearly more collaborative while some are more task focused.” A breakout area, bar, table-tennis table and putting green also caters to the need for socialising, relaxation and play, which can contribute to enhanced productivity.

In addition to bringing the businesses into one footplate, Enero wanted a sophisticated workplace with an arty edge, and the result is a contemporary design that’s sensitive to the building’s heritage and structure. Dramatic and atmospheric lighting highlights exposed wooden columns and beams, ducting and brick walls, and there are contrasting elements of light and dark and black and white throughout. The reception desk is spliced into black and white; grids of white-grouted black tiles line surfaces; white illustrations on black backgrounds activate feature walls; and graphic black and white upholstery enlivens furniture.

The Bold Collective also developed a wayfinding system and environmental graphics based on Pyrmont’s history. One lounge area has been named Hell Hole, after the notoriously difficult sandstone quarry, and the black and white illustrated wall encapsulates features of the local area.

Designing a space with an intention of how it will be used is all well and good, but how does that translate into reality? In this case, positively. “When we conducted our post-project tour we saw the workspace being used as the client had intended,” says James.” The collaboration zones were busy with meetings and there was a vibrant buzz. Mission accomplished.”