PDG

Studio Tate
Australia

PDG’s head office gave Studio Tate the opportunity to think differently about workplace design. The fit out plays a positive role in the wellbeing and productivity of the employees while reinforcing brand positioning and company values. The property development company had recently overhauled the public space of the building, and wanted their headquarters to get the same treatment: an office that looked more like a home or hotel than a typical workplace.

The designers teased out the concept of the ‘tailored suit’ – subtle, sophisticated, made-to-measure using the finest materials, every detail considered. The tailor-made, hotel-esque headquarters pays tribute to PDG’s emphasis on quality and refinement. Designed with intelligence and finished with finesse, Studio Tate’s workplace design for PDG demonstrates that with the right configuration and selection of materials you can create a sense of comfort, familiarity and warmth, even in the workplace.

PDG is located in the hexagonal building on the corner of Swanston and Victoria Streets in Melbourne, and so the designers were challenged to debunk the perception that a hexagonal-building is difficult to plan and populate, specifically around the efficiency of workplace design. The design is split into three main areas: entry and reception, CEO’s office, and workspace. The grand reception invites you to experience contemplative luxury, enveloped in the stone floors and curved geometries. In the workspace, the tailored suit moves to a more relaxed fit, with a brighter palette that keeps the strong, contrasting tones. Desks are set off the perimeter and positioned perpendicular to the windows, enabling better circulation and democratic access to views.

PDG is a timeless quality fit out that has required minimal post occupancy updates and has stood the test of time. Designed in 2014, PDG remains an aspirational workplace for designers and businesses alike. Studio Tate believes that the use of quality materials and excellent crafts people can be attributed to this success.

Furniture Brands: Minotti, Herman Miller, Muuto, Cassina, Poltrona Frau, Menu. Furniture Suppliers: Dedece, Great Dane Furniture, Living Edge, Cult Design. Lighting Brands: ClassiCon, Flos, Wastberg. Lighting Suppliers: Inlite, JSB Lighting, Lambert & Fils, Anibou, Lightmoves, Euroluce. Finishes: Signorino, Contemporary Leathers, Bibi Vero, Kvadrat Maharam, Viridian, Benchtop City, Dulux, Bishop Decorative Finishes, Westbury Tectiles, Keram Fabric, TAG Flooring. Fittings & Fixtures Brands: Astrawalker, Franke, Omvivo, Duravit, Miele. Fittings & Fixtures Suppliers: Harvey Norman, Lovelight Blinds, Zip Industries, Mary Noall, Dyson, JD Macdonald, Hafele, Madinoz, Dexion.

Photography: Peter Clarke