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Gallery / Phillips Fox

Setting a precedent

Progressive thinkers in the legal world, Phillips Fox have taken a proactive approach to upgrading their image by promoting an open, friendly and relaxing office environment for clients and employees alike. Their Adelaide headquarters are leading by example and have set a precedent likely to be followed by their interstate and New Zealand offices.

In a recent trend, many corporate workplaces have been designed around the basic premise of expansion and elasticity, creating open space where ideas can flow freely and communication occurs effortlessly. There is, however, a push to reduce individual office size and to increase communal areas and Phillips Fox are embracing this trend. Their Adelaide office, comprising approximately 2500 square metres, has been relocated to two separate levels in the Commonwealth Bank building. Designed by Woods Bagot, who have been employed to create Phillips Fox's design direction nationally, it embraces the company's corporate identity of strength, confidence, innovation, progress and personality. To establish a working environment which recognised these ideals as well as the competitive advantage of well-designed facilities, for staff and clients alike, Schiavello and the Woods Bagot design team set about to create a more flexible, efficient fitout.

The concept of a 'reduced' office area could easily be misinterpreted as a restricted office area. To curb this perception, Woods Bagot encouraged natural light to flow through the interior and used natural timber finishes to engender a harmonious environment. Where possible, offices were located against perimeter windows, allowing for the interior of the floor to be an open expanse. The design allowed for meeting areas to be located in the company of cafe spaces, to encourage informal discussion.

Accommodating more than 100 staff in an office-intensive arrangement, it was mandatory that elements of individuality were granted prominence. Schiavello's fitout included offices that were custom designed with flexible shelving and filing accessories, lockable storage cupboards, coat cupboards and adaptable mobiles to suit individual working styles. Schiavello's Elitone workstations with adjustable height desking and sharknose edging enhanced the overall office arrangements and encouraged flexibility, as employees selected furniture and accessories to suit them. Employees accepted the transition into 11sq.m offices even though former office areas were up to 16sq.m.

The standardisation of office and workstation modules, to create a flexible, egalitarian working environment, ensured that the most effective use of capital was achieved while also allowing for the future expansion and relocation of divisions with minimal churn costs.

As the first of its kind for Phillips Fox, its Adelaide base has set a precedent upon which good design can make its case.

Project details
Project Location: Level 10 + 14, 100 King William Street, Adelaide Client: Phillips Fox - Mark Hornsby Design: Woods Bagot - Carlo Pennino, Lena Fenwick Project Management: Mark Rosenboom Schiavello SA Fitout: John Haese Schiavello SA Systems: Tony Sedgman Area: 2500 m2 Products: Aluminium framing + glazing to sliding door partitioning, full height glazed partitioned offices, lining + support structure to reception counter. Height adjustable Elitone workstations with System 55 panels. Systemet metal storage, Series 2 storage + custom made storage. Frezza meeting tables + credenzas.