By Biotope Architecture and Interiors
Creating a work environment to promote productivity and connection is no mean feat – especially when the office space is large, plain and echoes with little outlook or natural light. The Green Fit-out for State Growth transforms an impersonal space into an inviting workplace for its occupants by leveraging the existing light provided by the adjacent laneway and bringing the outdoors in through a combination of timber and plant screens.
The timber screens are constructed from short timber lengths, finger-jointed together, to minimise waste. Working in tandem with custom-built vertical walls, housing a variety of indoor plants, the screens serve to improve air quality and separate areas without preventing the movement of airflow and natural light.
The new dedicated workspaces feature various breakout areas and meeting rooms, individual and shared storage areas and an upgraded kitchen area. Now, staff and visitors can engage, collaborate and unwind in a place that puts their well-being front and centre.
Fieldnotes:
- The characteristics of Tasmanian native forests and natural settings incited the idea of an internal landscape akin to a forest. Material selection and colours were also derived from the natural environment.
- The colour and texture of Tasmanian Oak was an integral component to the creation of a visually warm environment.
Photography by Peter Mathew.
We adopt a holistic approach to designing buildings. From homes with minimal impact on the ecology of a site and discreet additions that complement existing structures to bespoke interiors crafted through collaborations with local makers. Our designs focus on context and seek to enhance the connection to the site through carefully considered spatial composition.
We look to both the immediate and broader landscapes for cues on how to preserve, regenerate and create a natural environment setting for each of our projects. It’s why we often introduce building elements, like courtyards and skylights, for example, to connect to the external environment and surrounding skyscapes. We also use passive solar design principles to reduce costs and be kinder to the Earth.
When life changes we often need to alter or expand the spaces we occupy. Whether that’s an extension to the family home for entertaining or an environmentally conscious workspace in a heritage-listed property. We design to retain and work with as much of the original heritage fabric as possible while transforming the building into a space that fits your current and future needs.
We take the location of a building and its distinctive setting seriously. These design principles grew out of the need to create an architectural language and expression that keeps with current thinking and the need for sustainable, environmentally sensitive buildings. Flora, fauna, the weather, the urban context and site history all play a significant part in informing design practice so that structures are unobtrusive elements on the landscape. Local materials and craftsmen are resourced and their bespoke elements reference the site and the environment in which a building will stand.
As the anchor for our clients, consultancy team, builders and makers, collaboration is key to the realisation of every project. Get in touch with us to start a conversation about your next project.