This office fitout in Brisbane’s CBD reflects the client’s innovative approach to business and philosophy of alternative thinking. Working for the aptly named Blue Sky Alternative Investments, Marc & Co was charged with transforming the 41st floor of 111 Eagle Street into a ‘workplace wonderland’, says interior designer Rachael Gwaro.
Rather than tread a path towards a gimmicky ‘theme-park’ solution or generic office fitout, Marc & Co developed a sophisticated scheme that prioritised the use of local materials and details, to create a series of domestic-style spaces that provide visual connectivity across the floor plate, and take advantage of knockout views across the city.
“The clients brief for the main workspace was for it to be a hive of activity – noisy like a trading floor – to facilitate cross collaboration across different teams,” Gwaro says. The floors in this space were deliberately laid in timber, with carpet and patterned rugs used elsewhere in the fitout.
“To counteract the vibrant working spaces, we needed some quiet spaces – in addition to the informal meeting rooms – so we devised a technology-free, quiet space library, where people can undertake intensive work which may require uninterrupted concentration, or access the company’s growing collection of books,” Gwaro says. “It’s also used for time out: there’s a daybed in there and sometimes people grab a five minute snooze.”
Bluesky’s innovative approach to business is apparent from the moment visitors enter the office. There is no traditional reception desk in the lift lobby: instead, a narrow opening into a passage of fence palings leads to a lounge and reception area screened by a super lattice. Visitors can access the adjacent kitchen to mingle and converse with staff before formal meetings, breaking down the traditional boundaries between front- and back-of-house services.
Throughout the fitout, the material selection and detailing echoes the traditional Queenslander vernacular, with lattice, palings, screens and weatherboards all making an appearance. An amphitheatre decorated with inviting banquettes and a scattering of cushions is used for investor presentations and staff meetings. In the kitchen, a large custom-made table with hand-turned timber legs – which subtly express appreciation of local materials and craftsmanship – takes pride of place.
The informality of this setting encourages staff and visitors to gather round and socialise over tea, coffee or local craft beer, poured from a tap inside a concealed ‘Bond’ style mirrored bar.
“Our clients were happy to push the boundaries of what an office space can be, which is rare in the commercial world,” Gwaro says. “BlueSky is proud of the fact it is a Brisbane-based company with international reach. From the start, they encouraged us to challenge the expected and by abstracting traditional construction methods, the design aims to create memorable experiences
.
Project Details
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!
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Paying homage to that wonderful tool of life, the book, SJK Architects’ design for the new headquarters of Penguin Random House is both a temple to the library and a captivating place to work.
Simon Liley, Principal Sustainability Consultant at Cundall, writes about how cyberpunk dystopias haven’t (quite) come to pass yet – and how designers can avoid them.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Lacquered in warm timber tones and complemented by high-quality furniture and fixtures, the new HQ for Salta Properties is a home away from home.
Paying homage to that wonderful tool of life, the book, SJK Architects’ design for the new headquarters of Penguin Random House is both a temple to the library and a captivating place to work.
Overcoming pandemic hurdles to redefine guest experiences amidst Sydney’s bustling entertainment precinct, The Darling has undergone a two-year restoration that melds Art Deco interiors with the necessities of hotel living.