Located in Melbourne’s CBD, the creative concept for Sculptform’s new events-oriented space takes visitors on a physical journey around a central workshop and creativity incubator. As a producer of feature wall, ceiling, and façade systems Sculptform’s new space presents engagement that can’t be found online – a physically immersive connection to its products and processes.

The design for continuity and flow challenged Sculptform to develop new capabilities in steam-bent timber battens, resulting in crafted spatial forms such as the undulating curved timber ceiling manufactured in Sculptform’s Bendigo factory. The new space is a true collaboration between designer, product and maker.

The brief included a client space for greeting and social functions, a bar, lounge and a small kitchen. Display for the full-scale product samples and the workshop for customising and testing solutions were also key. The staff workspace, meeting rooms and collaboration spaces, initially briefed to be ‘out the back’, were brought into the open and arranged around the central making space that forms the heart of the project.

The spatial arrangement, based on a large infinity gesture, curves and winds in a figure eight, creating a sculptural journey that sparks curiosity from the street. The arrival sequence was extended to include tiered seating that gently connect the two levels. The decision to locate the glazed workshop in the centre elevates the makers and, places on show, the process of creating custom products.

Removing the line between ‘front and back of house’ allows architects and designers to work and co-create in the space alongside their clients and contractors.

The project re-evaluates the singularity of the accepted workplace and showroom model to be more of a manifestation of the brand and to embody the passion and expertise of the Sculptform business and its people.

Furniture: Own World, Living Edge, Barbera. Lighting: Light Project, Rakumba. Finishes: Gibbon Group, RC&D, Kvadrat, Alessi Blinds, tongue & groove, Sculptform, Signorino,  Artedomus. Fittings & Fixtures: Reece, Dyson, Miele, Smeg, Coffee Machine Technologies, Caroma, GWA, Phoenix, Franke, Billi.

Photography: Peter Bennetts