Hub Customs House

Billard Leece Partnership’s design at Hub Customs House responded to the unique heritage listed context of the original Customs House building in Circular Quay, Sydney.

The BLP design integrates stately references to the building’s history with contemporary layout and styling that serves the needs of the modern, flexible, and adaptive worker.

Hub Customs House spans two levels.

And it provides flexi-workstation and private office options to suit every Hub members’ needs.

Shared facilities include:

welcome desk
library
member lounge and kitchen
media room
boardroom
several serviced meeting rooms

The project prioritises the wellness of its members as much as it enables seamless workflows and efficiency.

This is evident through the contemporary ‘relax’ spaces, gym, end of trip facilities, parents’ room, and a dedicated café space to work, relax, and socialise.

The diversity of user requires variable and adaptable-sized office spaces with open areas to encourage collaboration, networking, and the sharing of ideas.

This creates activated environments where workers and businesses can thrive.

The BLP design of the office facade incorporates an individual ‘canopy’ partitioning detail with glazing to the front, a return glazed fin, and partitions between each of the customisable spaces.

A refined base palette responds to the warmth and texture of the original sandstone walls of the building.

Luxury detailing including bronze finishing and fluted glass meld with earthy wooden tones, and quality textured upholstery to create a co-working space that is calm, comfortable, and up-market.

The client, Hub Australia, provides premium workspace and hospitality solutions designed to help Australians love where they work.

They are one of Australia’s largest privately-owned workspace operators with seven locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Hub has over 3,500 members, offering state-of-the-art workspaces and premium amenities that let organisations grow their business in a beautiful setting.

With stunning hospitality areas and cafés, professional development and networking events, and open communal areas, Hub Australia is more than just an office space.

They prioritise well-being.

So well-being was at the core of this interior design project by Billard Leece Partnership.

This is evident through the contemporary designed wellness room, end of trip facilities, parents’ room, and a dedicated café space to work, relax, and socialise.

The BLP design prioritized external views; enhancing external courtyard views into the building that aligned with existing external walls.

By exposing as much of the ceiling height as possible, appreciating the character and volume of the heritage structure, the ‘Canopy’ provides transparency and natural light to filter through each of the spaces, enhancing the vistas coming from the north, east, and western aspects.

The design for the Level 3 Clock Room ensures views to this room are well-maintained with an exaggerated shadow line either side to the adjoining spaces.

These interior details express and accentuate the inviting nature of the Clock Room.

Billard Leece Partnership’s brief was to create a home for Hub’s members and achieve a boutique hotel arrival and amenities experience that engages people and promotes collaboration.

The fitout spanned two levels, providing multiple workstations and serviceable options to suit the individual member’s needs.

The shared facilities provided a welcome desk, cafe, library, member lounges, members kitchen, boardroom and several fully serviced meeting rooms.

The overall design both retained and appreciated the architectural character with respect to the significant heritage of Sydney’s Customs House, whilst ensuring spaces are fully activated.

Hub Australia is a Certified B Corporation, committed to the highest levels of accountability and transparency for environmental and social impact.

Hub also currently provides 1% of membership capacity free to purpose-driven businesses.

The commitment to sustainability was woven throughout the co-working space with a conscious decision made to specify Australian made loose furniture, supporting local trade, and by reducing the overall carbon footprint.

All fixtures and fittings met the highest quality standards and thereby enhance the overall longevity of the project.

Key Products Used

Furniture

Sayl Chair by Herman Miller
Setu Chair by Herman Miller
Valby Chair by Stylecraft
Charles Sofa by Bay Leather Republic
Harper Chair, and Stanley Stool by Jardan
Stellar Works Lunar High Back Chair, and coffee table by Living Edge
Conference Chair Sola 291/71 by Wilkahn Furniture
Plum Table & Tambootie meeting table by Agostino and Brown
Disc Table by Thonet
Table by Health Care Furniture Australia (HFA)
Mirror by Surrounding

Finishes

Ceiling Panels by Boral
Ceiling and Wall paint by Dulux
Flooring by Interface
Carpet tiles by Signature Flooring
Carpet tiles by Ontera
Tiles by Classic Ceramics
Resilient flooring by Gerflor
Vinyl flooring by Forbo
Joinery finish by Laminex
Timber Veneer by Elton Group
Reconstituted stone by Smart Stone
Reconstituted stone by Caesar Stone
Brass trims by Astor Metal

Lighting

Floor and table lamps by Fred International

Project Details

Project size – 2,342 m2
Completion date – 2019
Building levels – 2

Principal Consultant

Interior Design

Billard Leece Partnership

BLP are a group of dynamic architects, interior designers, and urban designers based in Melbourne and Sydney, working Australia-wide and internationally across all sectors.

They have a proven track record of designing and delivering complex projects.

BLP develop a collaborative and comprehensive design approach unique to each client and project and aspire to produce innovative architecture.

They create environments tailored to suit their clients’ expectations which provide enjoyment to the people who inhabit them.

www.blp.com.au