Project: Scrunch West End Workplace
Architects: KIN Architects
Building Type: Warehouse
Client: Technology Company
Location: Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane, OLD, Australia
Size: 790m2
Builder: Tabolt Constructions
Photographer: Christopher Frederick Jones
Text by KIN Architects
The transformation of a West End Nightclub into a workplace “jungle” for technology company, Scrunch. The fit out introduces pocket parks to the open plan warehouse allowing Scrunch to accommodate daily office activities and after dark events in the same multi-purpose space. We, along with our clients Sal and Danni, were determined to acknowledge the history of the HiFi live music venue. The venue was known for a long time so we wanted to harness that history. We thought that introducing natural landscape would amplify the sense of theatre that once existed.
Gardens are dotted throughout the open floor plan creating loosely defined areas for working and collaborating. The interior had to impress potential investors and also offer a point of difference to competitors. While the natural landscape helps to identify spaces for different teams within the one office space, it also boosts well-being. Scrunch West End Workplace are very aware that people dedicate a lot of time to their work lives and they wanted people to feel comfortable, content and be able to bring dogs to their workplace.
Catering for multiple working scenarios, we delivered workspaces of varying scales and character. We wanted to create small pockets of space within the large volume for staff to take quiet calls or break away. Other spaces like the foam pit bring a sense of fun and whimsy to the work day. Surprisingly the foam pit is used daily, it’s easy to take your laptop in and use the screens for meetings in a more relaxed setting.
After dark, the workspace transforms. Scrunch West End Workplace holds large networking events and conferences so we designed the desks to roll under the stage. The terraces allow for tiered viewing of the stage in a way that is comfortable for large crowds. So event mode works really well for them!
Keen to work in a cost effective and environmentally responsible way, construction materials were recycled wherever possible. All of the plywood used was once the subfloor of the old nightclub. We also kept the wall framing with the round lounge becoming the foam pit, the VIP area becoming the boardroom and the ticket sales booth becoming the mail room.
