Celebrating the finest in Australian interior design, Woods Bagot and Oxigen were awarded the Best of State Commercial Interior Design title, for Oxigen's workplace in Adelaide, at the annual Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA). The key concept behind this project was to create a workplace that emanates an honest and raw flair that nestles seamlessly into the surrounding neighbourhood.
"The concept developed in collaboration between Oxigen and Woods Bagot was to consider all aspects of the project as a chance to re-engineer traditional notions of what the workplace is," said Gavin Kain, Principal, Woods Bagot. "Its contribution to contemporary interior design has been manifested through the quality of the physical space and the non-traditional design and construction process."
A fluid exchange of ideas between architect, interior designer, and builder were key to the realisation of the space that boasts individually crafted and considered spaces that are fresh and unique and speak to the client's character, professional values and ethics.
"The space epitomises our character and our willingness to explore new ideas as a creative business," explained James Hayter, Director, Oxigen. "In breaking with traditional 'commercial office' design processes the result delivers a hand crafted feel that instantly connects with both user and visitor as a place to create, not just a place to work."
Reflecting a desire to be part of a neighborhood and community, the office is revealed to the street, inviting visual participation by passers-by. Internally, the studio accommodates a number of alternative work settings including open lounges, a green courtyard, team tables and an upper level studio space created for meetings, model making and display, research, discussion and debate, entertaining, or just being alone.
This is the second year in a row that Woods Bagot has been recognized at the AIDA. Last year Woods Bagot won Best of State (SA) Commercial Design for National Australia Bank (Adelaide).
The AIDA is a partnership event of the Design Institute of Australia, design EX and ARTICHOKE magazine, which draws a crowd of more than 600 interior design colleagues and peers to the awards night annually.