RIO TINTO ANNE ST. BRISBANE
St Anne's Street, Brisbane, was selected as the site for a proposed 25,000m² workplace environment. Designed to be socially aware, community-driven, and highly adaptable, the proposal focused on creating a personable and future-ready workspace that could evolve with changing needs.
EARTH TO SKY
The 'Earth to Sky' concept defined key strata within the building's vertical design, ensuring each level had its own distinct look and feel, contributing to a cohesive yet dynamic spatial experience.
KEY SIGHTLINES
The open plan feel of the floor plates was a consideration and to create visable connections within the workplace. A modular workbench connected the informal and social breakout zone with the private and formal meeting areas.
MEETING AND BREAKOUT
The office work space floors feature a collaborative central hub, encouraging interaction among staff. A key design element is the vertical connection, highlighted by a striking spiral staircase enclosed in a mesh encasement. Breakout meeting zones are integrated into an extruded layer, with surrounding planting used as natural screening to enhance privacy and ambiance.
MODULAR CONSIDERATIONS
The lease agreement required the foyer to serve as a shared entrance for other tenants within the building. The design needed to be flexible to accommodate the potential changes over the lease term. As a response, a modular, adaptive, and flexible solution was developed. The core of the proposal, from the rear back wall to the feature wall, was designed to be removable, almost like an installation, allowing for future reconfiguration.
GROUND FLOOR FOYER
The entrance level embraced a street-facing approach with full-height glazing along the perimeter, ensuring openness and visibility. The design fostered a seamless connection between the streetscape and interior, incorporating informal bench seating within the foyer. The angled placement of these benches naturally guided the eye toward the social zone and feature wall, enhancing engagement and flow.
SOCIAL ZONE
A forest of digital screens, each telling a personal story of Rio Tinto’s mining operations, reflects the company’s commitment to social responsibility and transparency. This display conveys the connection between Rio Tinto and the community, showcasing the company’s mindful approach to its impact.
MINING STRATA
The concept was inspired by the strata levels in the mining process, creating visual layers throughout the space. The external approach features bench seating, leading into a vibrant social zone. A feature wall, crafted from metals sourced directly from Rio Tinto’s iron ore, serves as a focal point, while the core brand area is highlighted by a red-illuminated meeting zone, adding a dynamic and branded touch.
