Woods Bagot has unveiled its newly refurbished Sydney studio, which sets a benchmark for contemporary workplace design. The refurbishment transforms its Wynyard premises into a purpose-built creative environment that reflects the firm’s global design philosophy and collaborative culture.

The project reimagines the studio as a flexible workplace structured around a modular kit-of-parts system. Featuring demountable partitions, adaptable joinery and height-adjustable workstations, the design allows the space to evolve over time and extend beyond its current tenancy.

“This studio reflects our focus on longevity, adaptability and human connection. It operates as a working prototype of the values we bring to clients, where sustainability, creativity and collaboration are embedded in the day-to-day experience,” says Woods Bagot Principal and Project Lead Hayden Crawford.

“Designing our own space allows us to test how we work and collaborate, using the tools and technologies we rely on every day. It also shapes how our people and clients experience the studio,” Crawford adds.

Anchoring the studio is a modular meeting “village”, conceived as a collaborative hub for the workplace. Designed for disassembly and future relocation, the demountable system provides a variety of spaces for discussion, critique and project review within a unified framework.

“The centrepiece of the studio is based on the Citterio Village System by Unifor, designed by Antonio Citterio,” explains Woods Bagot Director Domenic Alvaro. “Conceived as a village rather than a fixed layout, it brings together workstations, storage, screens and services within a cohesive framework that supports different ways of working.”

The studio also integrates a dedicated model-making and materials laboratory, reinforcing a culture of experimentation. Informal display and critique areas are distributed throughout, supporting iterative workflows typical of architectural practice.

“The planning strategy is anchored by the studio's relationship to the adjacent Wynyard Park. Shared social and client-facing spaces are positioned along the park-facing facade, drawing natural light deep into the floorplate and establishing a meaningful visual connection between the studio and the surrounding public realm,” Alvaro continues.

The refurbishment was shaped through consultation with team members, with the feedback informing decisions on acoustics, spatial diversity, collaboration and wellbeing. The result brings together multidisciplinary teams in a cohesive environment that supports the exchange of ideas. Acoustically-balanced rooms allow space for focused work and confidential discussions, while open project areas promote collaboration and team engagement. The studio also includes social spaces developed in partnership with Molteni and a lighting scheme by iGuzzini, which supports both functional and atmospheric needs.

"As a studio with clients at the heart of all we do and a foundation of talented teams, it was imperative that the social space formed the core of the design," observes Woods Bagot Principal Tracey Wiles.

“The generous reception and flexible seating allow for informal presentations and the display of project visuals. The kitchen and club encourage social interaction through casual lunches, meetings and celebrations. We pride ourselves on our collaborative relationships with clients, consultants and internal teams, with the hospitality designed to encourage and elevate,” she adds.

Sustainability underpins the refurbishment, with the modular approach extending the lifecycle of components while access to natural light and park views is prioritised in key shared spaces.

The refurbishment, delivered in partnership with MPA Projects, coincides with the launch of 7C, an integrated network of brands operating under one roof with a shared ambition to shape the future of the built environment.

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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