Following successful collaborations between Woods Bagot and Holding Redlich in Melbourne and Canberra, the Brisbane project represents the third in a series of connected designs that respond uniquely to each city’s local character.

“Our partnership with Holding Redlich has developed over many years and multiple locations,” says Woods Bagot Principal and Global Sector leader – Workplace Interiors, Kirsti Simpson.

“Each workplace refines the model, maintaining consistency where it matters, but always grounded in the identity of place.”

This follows Simpson’s previous experience leading the workplace design for Holding Redlich in Sydney and Cairns.

Positioned in the heart of the city, the Brisbane workplace captures the essence of its subtropical setting. A lushly planted outdoor terrace provides staff with a mixed-mode workspace and a genuine connection to the outdoors, a defining feature of Brisbane life.

The palette draws on natural materials, neutral tones, and soft sage greens, reinforcing the sense of calm and continuity between interior and exterior spaces.

The seamless transition between the two was a deliberate design move to encourage frequent use of the terrace and foster a stronger sense of wellbeing and connection among staff.

“The workplace captures the spirit of Brisbane, relaxed, green, and grounded in its environment,” Simpson says. “It’s an intentional departure from the formality of a traditional legal office.”

Transparency and collaboration spaces define the internal planning. The practice group areas are open and interconnected, supporting an agile and collaborative way of working while preserving moments for quiet focus.

While each Holding Redlich workplace shares a consistent operational model, the design ensures that each city’s personality is celebrated through materiality, humour, and storytelling.

In Melbourne, a full-scale tram installation anchors the breakout space, a playful nod to the city’s laneways and street culture. In Canberra, upcoming designs reference local bus stops, continuing the theme of mobility and connection.

In Brisbane, the design expresses the city’s warmth and openness through natural light, greenery, and texture.

"At the heart of each design is the human experience," Simpson explains. "How do you experience a city, and how do you translate that experience into an interior environment? We wanted to explore how that applied to each location, while focusing on the notion of what it means to have a strong brand immersed in Brisbane."

In her previous capacity as Partner and Principal at Hassell, Simpson led the workplace design for Holding Redlich’s Sydney office, which formed the foundation of a partnership that has continued to grow alongside the Holding Redlich’s last three projects with Woods Bagot.

“There’s a generosity and sense of humour in these workplaces that isn’t often seen in the legal sector,” Simpson says. “They’re places that work hard, but also invite a moment of pause, reflection, and connection.”

The design is intentionally pared back, a neutral base palette and refined finishes, allowing the planting to take centre stage. In the Queensland workplace, greenery becomes a defining element, reinforcing the city’s subtropical character.

This idea is further amplified in the social spaces, where local natural materials, tactile textures and a more relaxed aesthetic express Brisbane’s warmth and easy approach to life.

“For us, being genuine participants in the development of the city through our work is central to our practice,” Simpson says. “Each of these workplaces contributes to the story of where the city—and the profession—is heading.”

HL 1.jpg

HL 4.jpg

HL 5.jpg

HL 3.jpg

HL 2.jpg

Let's Connect!

Let’s connect!