This eight-level former woolstore played a pivotal role in Australia’s wool-exporting industry, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy during the early 20th century. The client’s brief called for a refined and distinctive workplace that would enhance the tenant experience while honouring the architectural heritage of the building. A restrained and elevated material palette was essential, as was an open floor plan that preserved the flow of natural light from the central atrium and showcased the building’s historic features.
Rooted in a design narrative that balances elegance with authenticity, the interior scheme draws inspiration from the interplay between heritage texture and contemporary refinement. The existing building envelope—rich in raw, tactile qualities—forms a grounding backdrop to the crisp geometry and polished detailing of the new fitout. This juxtaposition defines the spatial language: a fusion of the organic and the precise, the old and the new. Warm timber tones and bold marble surfaces are layered with lustrous bronze accents to create a bespoke experience that is both calming and sophisticated. The materiality speaks to timelessness while subtly elevating the daily rituals of work. Carefully curated lighting enhances the spatial drama, highlighting key architectural features and contributing to the overall atmosphere of understated luxury.
One of the central design challenges lay in working respectfully within the constraints of the heritage shell. The exposed brick arches along the western wall were left untouched, with minimal built form positioned away from them. Instead, focused lighting was used to accentuate their form, transforming them into sculptural elements upon arrival. The meeting room core was strategically placed along the atrium, with glazed partitions on both sides to allow natural light to permeate from both the eastern façade and the atrium itself. The result is a space that feels grounded yet aspirational—an expression of contemporary workplace design that honours the building’s past while embracing its future.
