Image Credit : Tyrone Branigan Photography
Project Overview
A design that embodies the essence of Accor Hotels Asia Pacific, this project creates an immersive space that celebrates the heart of the brand. Located at 1 Bligh Street in the heart of Sydney's CBD, this design goes beyond traditional boundaries, creating an atmosphere filled with anticipation and excitement. Accor’s office showcases a dynamic interplay of curves, angles, and patterns, infusing the environment with rhythm and vitality. With meticulous attention to detail and dynamic translation of the brand's core values, the project demonstrates an innovative and transformative approach to interior design.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Kate Bisson - Managing Director
Courtney Jacob - Associate
Shanice Almeria - Senior Interior Designer
Tess Bakker - Interior Designer
Kayla Walkey - Junior Interior Designer
Mahsa Salehi - Interior Designer
Project Brief
This project brief sought to spark enthusiasm and anticipation in office design, aiming to emulate the warm and luxurious nature of a hotel lobby. The concept revolves around "the heart starter", an exciting journey starting at the ground floor and building anticipation as guests ascend to the 23rd floor. This pulsating rhythm sets a unique tone, fluctuating as the space evolves, creating a dynamic environment. The spatial journey begins with intimate breakout spaces for collaboration, leading to larger meeting rooms and quiet areas for focused work. Culminating in the perimeter workspaces, the area embodies a surge of productivity and energy, representing a dynamic work environment.
The office design moves away from the traditional desk model to intentional design and layout in celebration of Accor’s welcoming culture. Without visual restriction, the environment deliberately welcomes staff, their families, suppliers, and clients into the office. This design philosophy embraces the changing nature of work, creating an adaptable and inclusive environment and cultivating community and belonging.
With indigenous engagement initiated by Accor, Alkimi Studio has been privileged to work directly with artists in artwork generation, selection, and application. Fabric and carpet choices are primarily sourced from indigenous ranges.
Project Innovation/Need
alkimi’s innovative design approach is inspired by the concept of a 'Pulse'. The design links every element to the heart, reflecting Accor’s ‘Heartist’ culture. The unity of people and service is the ‘heart’ of the business, coupled with the ‘artistry’ of internal and local cultures. This strong cultural glue is the foundation for this global enterprise to maintain its sense of place and people, both intrinsic to its success. Uniquely, this concept is cemented through the heart-shaped plan of 1 Bligh Street, which is built around open circulation and an immense light well.
The design embraces versatility, with spaces accommodating a range of uses. The office features a central town hall zone for individual work, large gatherings, or presentations. The 'Atelier', an interactive standing space, is designed as an immersive room for testing and client presentations. The kitchen has a unique design that separates its function into three zones; wash, cook, and store.
A significant aspect of the planning is the large boardroom, designed free of the perimeter, allowing for a flexible ante space and casual movement from the boardroom to the building's perimeter. Equipped with a bar fridge and catering capacity, this space serves as an informal gathering area.
alkimi has also creatively utilized two internal balcony spaces within the floorplate, transforming them into 'outdoor retreats'. Furnished with low lounges for comfort and enhanced with curved custom joinery with live planting for privacy, these spaces offer a varied experience within the office environment. This innovative approach brings fresh and transformative outcomes to workspace design.
Design Challenge
While the oval structure of the building could initially be considered a challenge for conventional linear office design, the strength of the original design concept turned this potential hurdle into a unique opportunity to enhance the vitality of the concept and design.
Budget limitations provided opportunities, provoking clever and inventive design thinking. Creative use of feature plasterboard bulkheads and strategic lighting resulted in distinct zones within the workplace, adding intrigue to the ceiling plane.
At the client’s request, alkimi studio sourced materials and furniture from Accor’s preferred suppliers. Extensive research was carried out to ensure that these selections were in alignment with the design rationale.
Sustainability
As in all its projects, Alkimi Studio approaches procurement from a sustainable vantage point. The existing lighting of the base building is kept intact while eco-friendly feature lighting is tactically integrated into the design and within the sculptural ceiling details. The project employs furniture items, specifically workstations and task chairs, that have been repurposed. Additionally, the project uses low-VOC paints to promote better air quality. Live plants are a vital part of the workplace, enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity by creating a healthier environment.
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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