Bates Smart ™

Conneq Head Offices
Ryde, Sydney

Conneq is a specialist engineering company working within the energy, utilities, resources, industrial, and transport sectors. Conneq had reached a significant milestone in its growth (and acquisition of other groups). Their leadership team sought a new workplace that celebrated their growth and supported the next phase of the business’s evolution.  Bates Smart worked in close collaboration through briefing and sketch design phases to ensure the new head offices delivered successful cultural change and an exciting environment aligned with the company’s vision.

Conneq’s new offices were designed around a new triple height void and dramatic stair. A shift towards open planning, glass partitions and a generous amount of shared social space and meeting rooms reflect the client’s aspirations for unity, transparency and collaboration. The shift away from old hierarchies is further expressed by allocating the prime views to communal staff spaces rather than private offices.

Materials associated within the construction industry were tailored to suit various flooring or wall cladding applications. The refined detailing of these materials was reinterpreted in a contemporary and timeless expression. Elements such as the 12 metre high pipes suspended near the open stair and bronze powder coated Maxirib communicate a pride in the client’s industry and engage both site and office based staff. Exposed services further complemented the refined industrial expression.

The direct views into the tree canopies from all three floors were a unique opportunity that the design embraces. The use of mirror on the perimeter was implemented to conceal the boundaries of the interior and exterior and bring the surrounding bush land into the space. Colours and tones visible at various times of the day from the canopy of gums on the primary elevation were also adapted within the interior such as bronze, tans, greys and golds. The use of these colours throughout the interior strengthens the connection between interior and exterior.

This project is richer than a typical corporate environment, blending elements of hospitality, residential and corporate design. Hospitality styled furniture, sculptural features, bold lighting and refined detailing were achieved cost effectively and communicate confidence and sophistication to Conneq’s clients and staff.