COX Architecture’s new Sydney studio sits within the Metcalfe Bond Stores, 70 George Street in Tallowoladah. Doing more with less, the practice has created a sustainable studio that delivers on project pillars of sustainability, collaboration and conservation.

Careful consideration was given to the insertion of new elements to touch the space as lightly as possible from both a heritage and sustainability standpoint. The starting point was a process of reduction, removing non-heritage elements to create clarity. Fundamental to the planning approach was recognising the dual drivers of fluidity and collaboration within the practice, providing equitable access to light and maintaining cross ventilation to facilitate a mixed mode ventilation strategy. Across levels three and four, the workspace is positioned to the east affording views across the harbour and morning light and collaboration is centrally located with meeting rooms to the west.

Anchored by a generous kitchen, a flexible forum space is positioned on level five and enhances collaboration and a place to meet. Moveable furniture enables this space to pivot from lunch mode to design workshops and a presentation space for 200. An experimental nimble workspace allows teams to reconfigure hackable areas providing staff with the autonomy to control their space, future proofing the studio as the ‘workplace’ evolves and continues to redefine itself.

Furniture: Cult, Sear Budd Ross, Vitra, Artek, Jardan, USM. Lighting: Erco. Finishes: Havwoods, Artedomus, Shaw, Dulux, Briggs Veneer. Fittings & Fixtures: Brodware, Lo and Co.

Photography: Nicole England, Cameron Hallam