Project Overview

140 Bourke Street is the updated Melbourne home of Concept and the ultimate expression of what we do best. More than an office, it is a working showroom that demonstrates how thoughtful design can inspire collaboration, creativity, and wellbeing. From the curved black walls of The Hub to the wellness room with calming pink tones, every space has been intentionally crafted to support the team while showcasing the possibilities for our clients. It is our workspace, our brand, and our philosophy brought to life.

Organisation

Concept

Team

Project Manager: Shaun Geleit
Site Manager: Peter Nikolaidis

Design Lead:
Gemma Daskalou, Senior Associate

Design Team:
Louisza Rose, Senior Associate
Susan Illingworth, Senior Interior Designer
Julia Payne, Interior Designer
Cheryl Salanga, Interior Designer
Alyssa Trentin, Interior Designer
Xanthia Ireson, Interior Designer

Project Brief

Our brief was ambitious: create an inspiring space that our team genuinely wants to work in, while delivering a built environment that demonstrates the quality, creativity, and clarity we bring to client projects. With a team of workspace specialists as the end users, expectations were understandably high. We weren’t just designing an office; we were designing for people who do this every day.

The result had to function flawlessly and impress instinctively. Clients can see how a standard executive office might feel, touch the finishes used in real-world projects, and experience acoustic treatments, lighting, and spatial planning in action. For our team, the space accommodates different working styles, supports wellbeing, and creates a strong sense of connection and pride.

Project Innovation/Need

This project turns a typical office into an interactive tool. Spaces like The Office and the 8P Meeting Room are built to scale, giving clients a realistic sense of volume and functionality. The Hub brings warmth and immersion to the sales process, with oval seating and dark finishes that shift the tone from presentation to partnership.

Design decisions were grounded in neuroscience and behavioural psychology. Colour schemes were selected to trigger specific cognitive states, while features like the wellness room, grounding mat, and red light therapy support stress recovery. Adaptability was also key. The team introduced new elements, like phone booths, during the build, showing the value of having design and construction in constant dialogue.

Design Challenge

One of the most significant challenges was designing for ourselves while meeting the high expectations of a team that specialises in commercial interiors. Our people are detail-oriented, experienced, and well-versed in what makes a workspace function effectively. That meant the stakes were higher, and every choice needed to balance beauty with performance, while also acting as a real-time demonstration of our client offering.

Every square metre had to work hard. The space needed to support day-to-day business operations, accommodate evolving working styles, and impress clients from the moment they walked in. We had to define zones with a clear purpose while ensuring the overall layout flowed cohesively and remained intuitive to navigate.

Some areas came with added complexity. For example, the back-of-house meeting rooms sit within the core of the building, with no access to natural light. Rather than treat this as a limitation, we embraced the mood, using rich colour palettes, layered lighting, and premium textures to create a sense of sophistication and focus. Other spaces, like the kitchen breakout, had to transform throughout the day, serving as a casual lunch zone, a town hall venue, and a hybrid collaboration area with integrated AV.

There was also pressure to future-proof the space without overcomplicating it. Design flexibility was built in from the start, allowing us to pivot mid-construction to add new features like phone booths. It is a true example of a space that functions for now and adapts for what’s next.

Sustainability

Sustainability was integrated at every stage. We reused existing services where possible, selected low-VOC finishes, and partnered with local joiners and suppliers to reduce transport emissions. Materials were chosen for durability, longevity, and their ability to be repurposed if business needs evolve.

The layout encourages long-term use, with adaptable furniture, modular storage, and built-in flexibility. Acoustic treatments and lighting were chosen not just for performance, but for their contribution to wellness and energy efficiency. The result is a fit-out that supports both environmental responsibility and economic resilience.