The brief included a separation of the front and back of house. The front of house features a Boardroom, Big Star and Little Fish meeting rooms. The use of warm deep timbers, soft grey stone tiles and lightweight screening panels creates a sleek yet inviting environment in which to conduct business.

To add interest and a unique identity to the front of house, specialized lighting was chosen to enhance the meeting rooms and entry foyer. A cardboard reception desk, designed by the architect, is positioned in the foyer, making a bold statement upon entry. A brag wall occupies an entire wall of the boardroom, with back-lit orange panels hinting at the company’s corporate colours.

The back of house includes office spaces, a staff soft room and general service spaces. The challenge was to create a light filled open office in a deep space that allowed acoustic privacy for each staff member. This was achieved by each office being fully enclosed by glass. Sliding doors open into a brightly lit 4m wide central hub space, forming an atmospheric, light, spacious meeting and discussion space.

The final product not only meets the brief, but exceeds the client’s expectations, with a 30% increase in staff productivity. This process reflects the creative and highly successful collaboration between client and architect.

A clever interplay of space underpins its design. The client brief was to create a functional workspace that was both inviting and contemporary, whilst retaining a sense of originality.

Beginning with the foyer and continuing throughout, is a resourceful unifying and integration of space. The foyer represents a flexible space that can easily transform from a private enclosed space to a large open entertaining area encompassing both the reception and the boardroom.

The recycled timber floor continues vertically up the face of two large pivot doors that enclose the reception and ingeniously swing open, transforming the space into one large welcoming area.

This idea is reinforced with an acoustic perforated ceiling that is continuous through the two spaces. The combined space is also split in two, lengthwise with a pietra grey marble floor running under a cantilevered wall with exposed concrete slab over to reflect the split in materials.

A feeling of spaciousness throughout ensures staffs enjoy ease of movement and comfort within their work environment. Adding to this, the palette of materials used are warm in colour and raw in nature to meet the clients aspirations to create a contemporary yet professional feel.

The interior layout compliments the inspired approach to the overall use of space. The layout is designed to split the space into four distinct zones – the private offices, general administration area, services and  front of house. Each zone retains an amalgamation between spaces without compromising on privacy and a sense of professionalism.

The Victorian Harbour water frontage was the focus for the masterplan. The design maximises access and views to Victoria Harbour, the Yarra River, the CBD, and beyond. The waterfront becomes a visual marker and a focal point for the precinct’s activity. This is achieved through highly interactive social spaces which encourage participation and human activity.

These include the marina, a promenade, public squares, cafes, and restaurants.The 5.9ha eastern half of the site incorporates 1300 apartments in five residential towers and a commercial space of 6700sqm consisting of restaurants, bars and retail outlets along the promenade.

The towers have been designed to optimise the views of the Victorian Harbour and the city skyline. The presence of quality and original artwork is seen as one of the unifying elements in the development of the precinct.

Plus Architecture was awarded the RAIA Victorian Chapter 2003 Commercial Award for the NewQuay Retail and Commercial Precinct and the 2004 Property Council Award for NewQuay.

Each building is approximately the same size and complexity, each containing 11-12 levels with 415 car parks above ground level, 10,000sqm of strata offices and approximately 900sqm of retail on the ground floor.

Characterized by repetition and simplicity of form, the design represents an emblematic counterpoint to the more robust existing buildings at NewQuay. The design features the interplay between materiality and texture with the use of ‘bytes’ of information and form.

The proposed building has been designed with a lower height limit to increase sunlight penetration and further limit the impact of wind to the local environment.

The proposal attempts to maximize street activation and improve the pedestrian environment through the introduction of an entry atrium and a reduced carpark rate, limiting car dependence and encouraging public transport.