Located in Beaconsfield, an inner-city suburb just 5 kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD, 20-22 William Street by SJB is a contemporary creative office space and childcare centre, that contributes to the locale’s prospects as a well-appointed place to live, work and raise a family. Realised through the subtle and adaptive reuse of an existing 2 storey brick building, the project spans 2 levels with an additional mezzanine and a childcare centre, accommodating 99 children, in a new rooftop addition.

The project’s subtle conversion translates the suburb’s industrial heritage into a dynamic workspace with a robust and expansive shell that can be adapted according to flexible commercial tenancy requirements. The workplace interiors feature lozenge profile concrete columns, supporting a 6.8 metre double height space, curved steel stairwell, polished concrete floors, plinths and exposed services with perforated metal detailing.

“The façade made up of existing brick and perforated screening is finished in a bold Dulux Spinach Green gesturing a sense of play to the changing neighbourhood. The Spinach Green had the perfect balance of richness to contextually complement the leafy, vibrant street tree canopies along the main William Street frontage, as well as provide a playfulness that speaks to the childcare centre within,” says Sevda Cetin, project architect at SJB.

Maximising its north-facing aspect, the upper-level childcare centre—aptly coined The Green Elephant—incorporates open rooftop landscaping to provide an engaging and explorative outdoor play space. Indoor play spaces are open plan and highly flexible with a contemporary-industrial material palette that references elements of the Spinach Green.

Photography by Matthew Densley