IMAGINING A BOLD FUTURE OF WORK

MULTIPLE FLOORS IN THE HEART OF SYDNEY CBD TRANSFORMED INTO A HOST OF UNIQUE SUITES THAT AIM TO INSPIRE TENANTS AND ENCOURAGE NEW WAYS OF WORKING.

Increasing requirements of the modern workplace have caused companies to rethink the purpose and value that the office provides to their employees. The workplace needs to do more than provide a place to get work done; it needs to nurture and provide flexibility to tenants so that they get their best work done. The office needs to create value in a way that ‘earns’ the commute.

Sheldon completed several suites for LaSalle Investment Management at 323 Castlereagh St in Sydney’s CBD, which prioritise employee wellbeing and spatial adaptability through their design, accommodating for a range of work styles amongst a visually pleasing backdrop.

Future-proofing Level 16

Strategies to create the three adaptable and future-proofed suites on Level 16 included dynamic and modular workpoints, considerations of employee wellbeing such as biophilia and break room amenities, sensory considerations, and designing to accommodate hybrid workforces.

The brick wall feature element in the reception and boardroom areas of Suite 1 gives the space depth and purpose, standing out from traditional waiting room design. A feature ceiling was designed and included from reception through to the kitchen breakout area and boardroom, adding further dimension to the space. Other highlights of the suite include the dark kitchen with residential features, and the circular meeting area with dark green curtain that can be closed or opened as required.

Suite two stands out for its bold commitment to a dark palette, paired with plenty of biophilia to create an atmosphere that supports workplace wellness. The flow of workpoints supports this prioritisation of wellbeing with the dark green reception and conference room area leading directly through to the open plan kitchen and break space. With the workstations surrounded by breakout spaces and private meeting rooms, and footed by a large whiteboard wall and brainstorming area at the rear end of the fitout, employees are constantly provided with numerous collaboration opportunities.

The smallest of the project, suite three utilises economical and efficient spatial planning to provide workpoint variety to tenants whilst maintaining comfort. Booth seating and a campfire lounge disperse collaboration opportunities throughout the office, in addition to private meeting rooms along the workstation area. The proximity between these spaces provides a visual togetherness which aligns with current workplace trends.

Unique Library On Level 17

During 2023, Sheldon were tasked with designing two suites across level 17 at 323 Castlereagh St. Archeology consultants, GML, signed onto suite 1 prior to its completion, so Sheldon were able to design to the requirements and branding of the tenant across the space. Largely collaborative, the workplace features a large open plan break and kitchen area which flows seamlessly into a library breakout space. A circular silhouette is accommodated through a custom curved multi-use seating, biophilia, and shelving unit created by Sheldon’s manufacturing division. The library was designed to house GML’s industry library collection and archaeological texts. Other spaces created for GML include several quiet rooms, a deep blue boardroom, and archaeology lab designed to accommodate GML’s processes.

Elegant Work Points On Level 17

For Suite 2 on Level 17, Sheldon committed to an elegant palette and layout, creating a space that was both spatially optimised whilst not compromising on its aesthetic. Residential splashes, greenery, and curved built form culminate to create a space that feels warm and inviting, with various functionalities blended together to maximise spatial efficiency.

STRATEGIES TO CREATE THE THREE ADAPTABLE AND FUTURE-PROOFED SUITES ON LEVEL 16 INCLUDED DYNAMIC AND MODULAR WORKPOINTS, CONSIDERATIONS OF EMPLOYEE WELLBEING SUCH AS BIOPHILIA AND BREAK ROOM AMENITIES, SENSORY CONSIDERATIONS, AND DESIGNING TO ACCOMMODATE HYBRID WORKFORCES.

A CIRCULAR SILHOUETTE IS ACCOMMODATED THROUGH A CUSTOM CURVED MULTI-USE SEATING, BIOPHILIA, AND SHELVING UNIT CREATED BY SHELDON’S MANUFACTURING DIVISION. THE LIBRARY WAS DESIGNED TO HOUSE GML’S INDUSTRY LIBRARY COLLECTION AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEXTS.

A Future Focused Design On Level 20

With a floor space of 1150sqm, LaSalle needed a fitout that was future-proofed and aligned with the requirements of a post-COVID working space. The client’s brief expressed a desire for design flexibility, profiling a target tenant in the tech industry, participating in video conferencing and frequent collaboration.

The driving themes for the design were to create a unique and dynamic space with an emphasis on workplace happiness and well-being. The overall design of the suite caters to future ways of working through the adaptability and flexibility that the space offers. There is a variety of working environments, including collaborative and quiet areas that cater to an end user as well as modern ways of working. A key distinction is how bold the overall design is, with contrasting black and white ceilings paired with deep green hues and textures to create a relaxing atmosphere.

The material strategy of the design was to utilise in-house joinery to have consistent, quality finishing. Highlights include the visually exciting timber batten bulkhead in the main entry, complementing the dark laminate timber finish of the worksurfaces, and the textured dark green and black upholstery fabrics adding depth to the space.

Level 20’s focus on employee wellness in the workplace contributes a new lens through which to view contemporary office design, in its sensory considerations. This includes the visual imagery of the design, the earthy hues and warm lighting enhancing tranquility, as well as the material strategy and biophilia that provides employees with comfort in both an auditory and tactile manner.

THE DRIVING THEMES FOR THE DESIGN WERE TO CREATE A UNIQUE AND DYNAMIC SPACE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON WORKPLACE HAPPINESS AND WELL-BEING. THE OVERALL DESIGN OF THE SUITE CATERS TO FUTURE WAYS OF WORKING THROUGH THE ADAPTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY THAT THE SPACE OFFERS.