Image Credit : Nicole England Photography
Project Overview
Located in Tech Central Sydney, this three level workplace has been designed to bring together numerous teams from the Block ecosystem all under the one roof.
Blending contemporary design with the building’s rich heritage, this space has been designed to cater for a diverse range of cognitive needs.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Design team:
Melinda Huuk, Stephanie Payne, Louise Mackrill, Renee Gigliotti and Graeme Bowie
Builders: Buildcorp
PM: Generate Property Group
Services: Aston
Graphics: THERE
Specialty Lighting: Electrolight
Graffiti Art: Urban Art
Project Brief
Bridging Heritage and Modernity :
Following the site’s adaptive reuse by Tzannes Architects, known for their innovative tri-generation cooling tower on top of Bldg 30, the Studio*s charter was to transform part of these cold shell buildings into a contemporary new home for Block.
Honouring the Past, Embracing the Present:
Our design respects the historical brewery structures while introducing modern elements that blend seamlessly with the old. Reflective surfaces and materials like terrazzo stone and amber glass blocks are used thoughtfully, highlighting the site's heritage while creating a contemporary workspace.
Dynamic Spaces Inspired by Block's Brand:
The design features bold, elemental forms and vibrant colours, reflecting Block's energetic brand. These elements create focal points within the workspace, encouraging collaboration and innovation. A new stairway connects all levels, allowing energy to flow throughout the space, while the fully glazed front facade offers a glimpse into the vibrant life of the tenancy.
Project Innovation/Need
Supporting Different Work Styles
The workspace is designed to support a range of work styles, with both open-plan areas for collaboration and quiet zones for focused work. This diversity ensures that employees can choose the environment that best suits their needs, enhancing productivity and creativity.
Connecting with the Community
The design also strengthens ties to the local community and culture through commissioned graffiti murals, indigenous artworks, and digital elements reflecting local themes. These features add depth to the space and foster a sense of belonging among employees.
Design Challenge
This project presented distinct challenges, primarily due to its heritage site status and the concurrent integrated base build works. The site's heritage required careful preservation efforts, including managing existing materials like lead paint on original walls, which needed special treatment. Care was also required to work around items of heritage significance such as the original hoppers, the silo interpretation zone and the repurposed machinery.
Sustainability
Sustainable Choices:
We approached the historical aspects of the building with care, aiming to minimise our environmental impact by upcycling, recycling, and sourcing local materials. We reused workstations and chairs from another Block site and prioritized locally owned, designed, and manufactured furniture.
Interior Design - Corporate
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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