Employee preferences for WFH means workplaces need to utilise office spaces as a tool to connect with staff. In Better Workplaces, AdNews looks at how agencies use office design to entice staff to come in and create a company culture worth staying for.
Earned-creative agency Example took over a heritage-listed building in the heart of Kings Cross in 2019. After 60 years as a mechanic’s workshop, the space was renewed as a home of culture.
Despite being a Smash Repairs, the weathered sandstone walls hint at a much deeper past with a historian suggesting that the bricks might have been laid down by convicts - certainly history etched in stone.
Partnering with design firm Acme which are behind some of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurant and bar spaces, including The Grounds of Alexandria, Fred’s, J&M and Archie Rose, the space had been completely gutted leaving behind sandstone walls and dusty floors.
In fact during renovations extra areas were uncovered, the back lounge and boardroom areas had been covered up for decades - they were knocked down to reveal beautiful old fireplaces that further enhance the historical resonance.
Back boardroom.
With a fantastic blank canvas, there were two guiding principles the agency stuck to:
- Retain and showcase the historical significance of the site, to celebrate the building's past rather than overshadow it, allowing its rich history to shine through.
- Foster a creative atmosphere reflective of Example’s innovative spirit.
Today Example House is a thoughtfully-curated office space that embodies a blend of creativity, functionality and aesthetic appeal, and home not only to our agency team but open to a wider community of creatives Example co-founders Andy El-Bayeh and Rebecca Jarvie-Gibbs told AdNews.
“It’s a physical manifestation of our brand; embodying our commitment to collaboration, creativity and community, and setting the tone for the values of the agency and the impact we want to have,” El-Bayeh and Jarvie-Gibbs said.
The 350sqm expansive creative space offers high spec design, dedicated desks, a boardroom, break-out spaces and two private meeting rooms.
Large boardroom.
There is also a fully-functioning bar, kitchen and adjoining dining table, amongst sandstone walls the whole place has a beautiful, grounded energy.
Kitchen.
Kitchen dining area.
The communal kitchen table has become the heart of our space, a gathering point for lunch breaks and catch-ups.
And of course, there's the bar, signalling the end of the workweek and encouraging everyone to wind down and socialise.
Bar.
The bar is next to the main desk hub.
The agency has around twenty employees, and each person has a dedicated seat with desk organisation structured to encourage collaboration by mixing departments together.
“With our team now working two days a week from home, creating an office environment that fosters connection has become even more crucial,” El-Bayeh and Jarvie-Gibbs said.
“We wanted a space that felt cool and inviting, somewhere people genuinely enjoyed spending time.”
Desks
The sofa areas serve as a hub for casual brainstorming sessions - a relaxed spot where the team can bounce ideas around.
Back lounge, sofa area.
“Ultimately this design inspires people to step away from their desks, break away from computer screens, and engage in meaningful collaboration,” El-Bayeh and Jarvie-Gibbs said.
“It is a really versatile space that transforms into an extraordinary event venue - we’ve had some pretty epic events and parties here.
“Just last week we hosted 100 industry leaders for a forum that delved deep into challenging and redefining our city's nighttime identity.
“It was amazing being able to facilitate such an impactful discussion right here in our place of work.
“We thrive on creating a space that unites people, and we're thrilled about organising more exceptional events that foster connections and add to our community's vibrancy in 2024.”
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