A new Google-inspired HSC learning centre has opened its doors with a mission to train the brightest young minds in Sydney for stellar careers in science, medicine, mathematics and English. The first of its kind in Australia, the Talent 100 centre is the brainchild of Richard Chua – a former Business Strategy Associate at Google’s Mountain View Headquarters in Silicon Valley.
October 29th, 2015
With design thinking that focuses on 21st century learning, the new centre delivers a holistic and aspirational learning environment. The fusion of everyday mindfulness with digital technology, including digital yoga, brain training via smart screens and interactive screen technology will be available to students along with informal open community learning spaces – a famous feature of Google offices around the world.
“We are bringing the best of Google home to Sydney, leading the way for greater innovative learning, demystifying the HSC for students and helping them identify their career path in what can be a challenging time in a student’s life,” says Mr Chua, who achieved a perfect 100 UAI when he was a student at Sydney Grammar. “I was inspired by my time at Google – where we had fun, creative communal workspaces that fostered some of the greatest minds on the planet. They call this ‘work-life blend’ in Silicon Valley – the idea that when you’re really passionate about something, there doesn’t always need to be a distinction between your work and your personal life.”
At Talent 100, the centre aims to build on the successful ‘third place’ concept – an innovation introduced to Talent 100 by CEO, Sarah Spiteri, and practiced by education experts around the world – that creates a unique space between school and home.
The centre features:
Inspirational classrooms with ergonomic IDEO chairs
‘Pixel Burst’ benches designed by Yves Behar (founder of San Francisco design studio fuse project) for the Botanist series
Recharge and refocus areas offering mindfulness, meditation, digital yoga and brain training via smart screens
A fully functional open plan kitchen that forms the central hub of the centre – designed to encourage community learning and sharing
Interactive iPad stations, LCD’s and iBeacons to augment their experience
Break out spaces and pods allowing USB port connectivity to study alone or in groups
Recharge and refocus areas offering mindfulness, meditation, digital yoga and brain training via smart screens
Digital innovation such as interactive ipad stations and information zones, interactive LCD’s and iBeacons to augment their experience
A fully functional open plan kitchen that forms the central hub of the centre designed to encourage informal community learning and sharing – a significant feature of all Google offices and a major design feature for the Talent 100 centre
Inspirational classrooms with moving ergonomic chairs designed by ideo one of the world’s leading creative innovation and design thinking companies
Break out spaces and pods where you can connect via USB ports to study alone and in groups
Integrated technology learning experiences with a digital e-learning platform so students can have support and materials anytime, anywhere
The new Talent 100 learning centre is based at Chatswood, Sydney, with classes being offered after school and on weekends seven days a week.
Design by Deloitte Spatial and Brand (formerly MashUp)
Photography by Paul D Wade
Talent 100
talent-100.com.au
INDESIGN is on instagram
Follow @indesignlive
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
At 3daysofdesign 2026, AHEC’s immersive exhibition traced the journey of American hardwood from forest to finished product.
Developed by bangdesign for Stylecraft, Kinn is an Australian-made collection of seating and occasional tables, shaped by modest proportions, practical detail and the changing demands of shared interiors.
When Italian furniture maker, Pedrali partnered with design studio, Formafantasma, the collaboration was always going to result in something both elevated and imbued with impeccable detail and flair.
As Woven Image celebrates 40 years, it introduces a new collection developed in collaboration with Australian artist Ben Goss, inspired by his original artwork Where the Kookaburra Sits into a vibrant collection of digitally printed EchoPanel® murals and patterns.
Within the INDE.Awards the extraordinary projects that are designed by practices throughout our Indo-Pacific region are generally front and centre, however, one category seeks to champion the creatives themselves – meet The Design Studio.
It’s a celebration of groundbreaking innovation in sustainable design – here’s your shortlist for the 2024 Sustainability Awards
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
After two decades of creative partnership, Kim Colin and Sam Hecht of Industrial Facility step into a joint role as Herman Miller’s Global Creative Directors – a reminder that the brand’s ethos isn’t defined solely by their products, but also by the quiet thread of thought that shapes the space in-between, crafting a purposeful, human-centric and enduring trajectory.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 2026 INDE.Awards recognised the outstanding people, projects and products shaping design across the Indo-Pacific.