A refit of the ground floor of a ‘70s office building in North Sydney, built in ’04. This space, originally a bank was purchased by the clients, a small solicitors firm, for their new offices. The volume of space is very generous with 4.0m high ceilings and windows at either end. The clients wanted to eschew the typical mahogany panelled stuffy atmosphere stereotyped by solicitor’s offices. The approach was to use the ceiling height to get as much natural light into the office as possible, keep the open airy feel, and further enhance this lightness through the use of light timber, and wall coverings. The plan is ordered around a very strong central axis with offices and meeting rooms on both side, and a larger open support staff area at the back. The reception area was created by glazing in some of the building under-croft using very fine brass sections, and large single sheets of glass. The existing travertine floor in the reception areas was re-polished. New Aalto furniture was added along with a Serge Mouille ceiling light. The ceilings are set plasterboard kept clear of lighting and with the slimmest slots for air conditioning. The main lighting is achieved by uplighting from the joinery units onto the ceiling. Walls are either Rock Maple Veneer, or covered in linen. Hans Wagner wishbone chairs with woven paper-cord seats are used for client chairs in each office, and for the meeting rooms.


 www.etheringtons.com.au

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