PROJECTS
Bates Smart Sydney
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DETAILS
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Bates Smart
(web)
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| Multiplex Constructions (web) | ||
| Design Studio | ||
| 2003 | ||
| Sydney | ||
| Murray Fredericks (web) |
SEARCH
Just as Bates Smart's Melbourne office was conceived as an insertion into the original ICI building, their new Sydney office applied these principles with great success in the re-location to a 1930s warehouse building.
Two years ago, Bates Smart was rapidly outgrowing its East Sydney studio, located above dedece Furniture on Liverpool Street, They decided to relocate to a larger space in the adjacent warehouse building and, as both buildings were being refurbished with apartments built overhead, there was an idea) opportunity to create a new tit-out, which better reflected the Bates Smart philosophy on design, people and the workplace.
Bates Smart occupies all of the 690sqm first floor space, which offers expansive windows on its north and west. The building shell was stripped back and a series of enclosed spaces housing the conference room meeting rooms and two offices were inserted into a larger open-plan floor plate. Clearly freestanding within the concrete-framed building structure, these pavilion-like rooms define the edges of the reception area and the multi-purpose cafe, product library and utility area to the rear. Sliding glass panels to the meeting rooms and offices along with sliding wall panels to the conference room enhance the spatial flow and visual connection.
Transparency is an important theme and reception provides a number of views through to front- and back of house areas, which was deliberately done to give clients a sense of the studio in operation The reception area contrasts a dramatic combination of ebony stained oak timber wall panels, black epoxy resin floor finish and glossy white hytex reception desk. Seating is comfortable and classic, comprising two Aluminium Group chairs by Charles and Ray Eames upholstered in dark brown leather. Colour is provided by strong graphic images of current projects displayed behind reception, which changed on a regular basis. Perimeter aluminium she extend the sill along the western faQade windows to create floating shelf for the display of architectural models.
A clear threshold into the studio is signaled by the edge o reception desk, and the change in floor finish from epoxy to carpet. The studio lay-out reflects Bates Smart's internal organisation of horizontal structure made up of working teams No particular hierarchy is evident. Equal access to views daylight is maintained by configuring workstations in Centre of the studio. Teams are formed in eight cluster!
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