By Bennett Murada Architects
A new showroom, warehouse and digital design office for a rapidly growing Australian tech company has since become stage one in the evolution of this property in parallel with the business.
Year
2013
Location
Alexandria, NSW
Size
650sqm
Team
Dierdre Kelly, Jacqueline Bennett, Dom Bennett
Photographer
Simon Wood
Alexandria, in Sydney’s east, is now a drawcard for many creative industries. However, 10 years ago, this light industrial area was simply that, with most dismissing the neighbourhood as a suitable office environment. But Coates Signage had the vision to purchase a large 1980s warehouse, approximately 1,200 square metres in area, which is now the company’s global headquarters.
Stage 1 saw the addition of a simple glazed wall office and showroom. Extending over three levels, the glazed façade, with its steel portal frame and compressed fibro cement panels, remains timeless. A graphic steel staircase permeates the void, the latter being a reminder of when large physical signs were displayed in the space for the benefit of customers. And in contrast to the modernist façade, the open plan studio at the top level features a soar tooth roof with southern highlight windows that allow for an even and controlled light.
With generous workspaces and a boardroom that connects to a balcony, it’s the type of work environment that continues to attract creatives who once wouldn’t step out of suburbs such as Surry Hills. And to diffuse the harsh afternoon western light, there are operable stainless-steel louvres/blades that stand proud of the generous glazed walls framing the offices.
Our architecture is about simple things executed beautifully. While our buildings may look different to each other, they all embody the same principles of sensual experience, sustainability, honesty of materials, construction credibility and distinction.
We are positive, responsive, and easy to work with. We gauge success by consistently developing successful ongoing relationships with those involved in our projects. We understand that an important part of our role is leading, motivating and igniting a sense of ownership across the design team. Experience has taught us that best results are achieved when all stakeholder contexts are aligned, communication is open and clear, expert input is integrated accurately, and mutual respect is won.
There is little room for ego at BMA. Our design process is genuinely collaborative, with Project Directors engaging with our broadly skilled and experienced team of 15 staff to deliver richly diverse and unique projects every time.
We also actively promote working in a collaborative environment with our clients, authorities, consultants, builders, suppliers and other team members to arrive at are fined, efficient and beautiful result.
We value not only innovative and inspirational design at a project’s inception, but rigour, clarity and accuracy during our design development, documentation, tender and construction processes.
We are skilled in the art of balancing aspirations and pragmatics, and consider cost, programme and build ability integral to the design development process. We test our design decisions against these parameters regularly and actively promote the same within the design team.
We are successfully engaged in a broad range of project types and scales, including houses, urban housing, commercial and industrial projects, and resort hospitality.