Swiss Re Offices – Sydney
HASSELL has designed a flexible floor plan for the Swiss Re offices located in Sydney, Australia.
Swiss Re’s Australian head office pushes the boundaries of conventional office design to embrace activity-based working. Their Sydney headquarters was one of the global company’s first sites to move to this more nimble, collaborative approach – and its design is paving the way for their other offices worldwide.
Our concept for a highly flexible floor plan allowed Swiss Re to move from two-and-a-half floors in the city centre to a single level high in Barangaroo International Towers, Sydney Australia’s newest commercial precinct. The workplace design responds to the architecture of the iconic waterfront building, but it still looks, feels and functions just right for Swiss Re and its business needs.
The office is characterised by a stimulating blend of curves and straight lines, a clever use of space and light, and a wide range of work settings – all surrounded by dazzling harbour views. The design reflects the company’s desire for an approachable, timeless, ‘non corporate’ atmosphere like its previous HASSELL-designed office in Sydney. There’s a sense of openness throughout – from the spacious, striking reception area to the unconfined meeting spaces where teamwork is visible to everyone visiting or working at Swiss Re.
Some design highlights from the project include: a wide range of working spaces including café-style booths, circular banquettes, long communal tables, ‘think tank’ rooms and quiet, cocooned spaces; a concierge-style reception area with sculptural, curving walls giving an immediate sense of openness; a palette of light, natural materials highlighting quality craftsmanship and details; timber finishes that complement the glass and steel materials of Barangaroo; high performance and sustainability, with a 6 Star Green Star Office Design rating; and the interior architecture serves as a ‘canvas’ to showcase pieces from Swiss Re’s global art collection.
Designer: HASSELL
Design Team: David Whittaker, Emily Moss, Kirsty Pryer, Sarah Knapman
Photography: Nicole England
