Image Credit : Terence Chin Photography
Project Overview
Masterful handling of complex architectural propositions comes to the fore in the design of this Sydney headquarters, delivered for a global lifestyle brand. Most notable in this project are the internal architectural forms that characterise the exclusive members lounge, sited on the upper most floors of the Poly Centre.
The building’s subtle curves extend all the way up onto the roofline where we delivered a sophisticated solution, unconventional in concept and flawless in its quality of execution. This complex, art nouveau style modern structure with its crown-like geometries sits effortlessly within the building’s envelope.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Todd Hammond, Virginia Mazal, Josephine Meldgaard, Natasha Hammond
Project Brief
The brief for this workplace was to create a very private environment for their company's culture to thrive. We worked closely with our client to understand the way they work, designing to meet their immediate needs while allowing for future growth. We designed for collaboration and innovation, with the provision of a variety of spaces to meet and work. This informed the vertical master planning and a designated ‘non-owned’ floor in the crown of the building as a place for the user groups to come together. Every breakout and working space feature the best in integrated technology. The top-level town hall space can be used as an all-staff dining area and furniture can be repositioned to allow for staff functions and presentations.
The direction on finishes for this workplace was inspired by Sydney's local native flora and fauna, such as bottlebrush, eucalyptus, wattle and paperbark. The sophisticated tonal combinations for each of the four floors gives them an identity and visual placemaking within a large office.
Our approach to workplace design is primarily focused on quality and longevity to ensure the environments we create are highly utilised for multiple lease terms. This project’s sustainable strategy was to reduce its carbon footprint, through research of alternative circular building materials like ‘Save-Board’, natural ‘low carbon’ materials like (non-engineered) stones, FSC certified timbers and recycled furniture upholsteries.
Project Innovation/Need
Masterful handling of complex architectural propositions characterise this exclusive member lounge for the workplace of a global lifestyle brand. The assembly of internal pavilions, with dramatic peaking rooflines that are reminiscent of Herzog and de Meuron’s Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall in Hamburg, and Catalan Modernism. They translate as a workplace architectural language of geometric forms and sweeping curves that rise to the daylight through the façade, like natures daily reliance towards its solar light. These are qualities and characteristics that occupants are inspired by to elevate and heighten their daily lives with colleagues.
The dedicated employee-only social area encompasses lunch and café area, terrace, playroom, boardroom and ‘town hall’ facilities. For the boardroom Hammond Studio has designed a freestanding structure with a dramatically peaking roofline. This complex, integrated structure with its crown-like geometries sits effortlessly within the building’s envelope. It is neighboured by a second freestanding structure (which houses multiple functions), whose canopied form echoes that of a tree. A truly unique solution for a very unique space.
Connecting the social floor with three working floors below is the central stair with an integrated light wall. Smart, simple and sophisticated in its resolution, the wall features waves of dimmable light which ripple through the height of the space. The lighting on the wall is activated by the movement of the staff as they walk past. This user-interaction encourages more people to achieve daily exercise targets in their preference to use the stairs and interact with their workplace.
Design Challenge
We worked closely with our private client to understand the way they work, designing to meet their immediate needs while allowing for future growth. We designed for collaboration and innovation, with the provision of a variety of spaces to meet and work. This informed the vertical master planning and a designated ‘non-owned’ floor in the crown of the building as a place for the user groups to come together.
Sustainability
Our approach to workplace design is primarily focused on quality and longevity to ensure the environments we create are highly utilised for multiple lease terms. This project’s sustainable strategy was to reduce its carbon footprint, through research of alternative circular building materials like ‘Save-Board’, natural ‘low carbon’ materials like (non-engineered) stones, FSC certified timbers and recycled furniture upholsteries.
Our team are at the forefront of sustainable design practices in Australia. We are constantly learning and taking part in industry seminars with leaders in sustainability. We are driving change in the products supplied in Australia for our projects. Our team are actively creating carbon-neutral workplaces and with strong circularity principles - ensuring that all materials are recycled, repurposed and don't end up in landfill.
Interior Design - Commercial
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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