Commercial Workplace Interior Design - Saunders Havill Group
About the Project - Stage 1 & 2
Saunders Havill Group Stage 1 & 2 Workplace Fitouts at Bowen Hills, Brisbane, have finally been completed. We have had the pleasure of working with this amazing client since the end of 2019. Overall we needed to provide interior spaces that would encapsulate designer orientated work spaces for Surveyors, Urban Designers/ Town Planners, Environmental Management professionals and Landscape Architects to work within. Both office fitouts located at 5 & 9 Thompson Street needed to seamlessly complement each other through the overarching conceptual design intent and the bespoke design detailing. As the sites were two existing warehouses the intention was to create a beautiful and functional environment for their employees to work in over both sites. Ideally the matrix of both spaces needed to be connected internally and be functional for all employees to connect for meetings, functions and lunch and mixing within both sites collaboratively for projects as one office. Stage 1 was approx. 350 sqm and Stage 2 was approx. 1100sqm, the floor plates to both fitouts were very different and so to was the requested brief outcomes of both from the client. The design intent played an integral part to sequence both interior spaces through the selection for colours, finishes, materials and joinery style. We were extremely lucky to have Stage 1 completed and in working order when we initiated the design phase of stage 2, this allowed the client to reconsider and review some elements initially requested for stage 2 while designing and planning the concept and floor plate.
The Conceptual Design completed in stage 1 played a vital role in the influence of the entire project we were able to work this methodology throughout both stages easily as both building envelopes had sections of dual height raked ceilings. These areas needed to have careful consideration for what was designed in these spaces; in both cases we need to reduce unnecessary noise interference due to the amount of users within the space at the one time and what functionality these spaces had for use. These spaces included both workstation areas and also kitchen/collaboration/ function spaces. The colour scheme throughout both office fitouts aligned with earthy tones of nature and history of the buildings, and the charcoal and white finishes used were to highlight or hide surfaces. The use of this palette accentuated the beauty of the textured and natural tones of the brick in stage 1, the feature moss elements in stage 2 and the concrete flooring, timber and bespoke joinery used across both sites. These references encompass a harmonious conclusion to the space which was endorsed by the client. The floor finishes used throughout both sites helped enhance the style and industrial feel of the design. The carpet tiles played a role in the acoustics to help disperse sound throughout and the cobble stone design of the carpet tile alludes to the intended aesthetic. The herringbone vinyl plank and existing concrete flooring break up and lighten the spaces as well as providing a sense of calm and natural influence.
Stage 1 of the project
In Stage 1 due to the height of the building envelope, careful consideration of the acoustics was required throughout both the ground level and the mezzanine to reduce unnecessary interference as there would be a large number of occupants (staff) using these areas to work.
The existing building, with its high raked ceilings, brick walls and exposed services, provided a great starting point for a raw, industrial design aesthetic. We had the ability to design an interior space that encapsulated these unique feature elements to help provoke a real sense of warmth and ambience. We designed with intention and used these elements to help uncover a unique atmosphere by peeling the existing paint back from the walls to reveal the heritage of the external brickwork. The use of Tasmanian Oak timber panelling conveys a sense of rhythm and repetition throughout the internal walls and ceiling features. The high ceilings and the existing exposed air-conditioning units were elements to endorse and expedite the use of acoustics throughout the interiors. A combination of timber with acoustic backing and Autex wall and ceiling products played a vital role to accomplish a design where the client could functionally work within the space and have minimal background sound. Each individual space was considered from offices, breakout spaces, collaboration hubs through to workstation areas. Squaredesigns Corporate added acoustic treatment throughout so no matter your location, no unnecessary interference would be endured. We lowered the ceilings over breakout spaces and collaborative hubs and used wall panelling to assist with the acoustics to these areas and in turn enhance the design. Overall it is a great space to work in and our careful consideration paid off as the acoustics throughout these spaces compliments the over design intent and also works as indented eliminating background noise and interference for the employees to work in the space functionally.
