Image Credit : Toby Peet
Project Overview
An exploration in juxtaposition of space and texture, the Cognizant HQ in Sydney is a daring yet restrained workspace that encapsulates the personality of the brand and solidifies their presence within the Australian technology sector.
Conceptually, this space explores the contrast that exists between organic and inorganic thinking, lifeforms and structures. This has resulted in a unique, dynamic palette and design.
Soft curved forms meet hard junctions. Stainless steel sits against rich velvet textiles and natural greenery. The bold yet understated palette celebrates colour whilst exercising restraint, creating elements of surprise whilst ensuring that the environment is conducive to working.
Key feature client spaces are able to be opened up and sectioned off with a series of electromechanical pivot doors and curtains, creating secondary collaboration and hot desking zones. A variety of flexible, loose furniture is utilised throughout these spaces, allowing the area to be easily transformed to accommodate client meetings, experiences, functions, working and socialising.
The culminating design is a living space, a space that transforms & adapts to suit the needs of the user. An experience that activates all the senses. Materiality is tactile & sensory. Space is flexible & adaptive.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Alkimi Studio - Kate Bisson, Kasey Lester, Amy Lee Richards, Shanice Almeria
Project Brief
An extensive strategic briefing process was conducted, including physical workshops with Cognizant employees in Melbourne and Sydney and an APAC online study. The planning responded directly to the briefing outcomes and the nature of Cognizant’s workstyle.
An immersive client experience centre and lounge was designed, which has the flexibility to open up to the internal team whilst not in use. A large breakout area has also been provided, facilitating spaces to socialise & play. A variety of loose furniture and work settings were provided throughout, facilitating both focused working and collaboration. Meeting, training and quiet rooms were incorporated into the design, responding to the collaborative nature of Cognizant’s work and allowing the team to communicate with colleagues interstate and abroad.
Project Innovation/Need
To solidify Cognizant’s presence within Australia, the resulting space needed to be experiential, memorable & branded. Branding has been addressed in colour throughout but used with restraint to ensure these bold colours have the negative space required to achieve contrast. The palette responds directly to the nature of Cognizant as a brand. The technological sector is translated through the use of stainless steel & mesh, whilst the corporate nature of the brand is represented with premium leathers & rich velvets.
Opportunities for secondary & tertiary use of space was explored throughout. Joinery is flexible, hot desks have been designed on concealed castors to ensure maximum flexibility and integrated storage joinery lines compliant fire egress corridors.
Design Challenge
This project had the unique challenge of bringing together teams from three different offices, all of which had leases ending at different times. During the briefing and concept phase of the main fitout works, alkimi expedited design and documentation for a sub-tenancy that was suitable for use as a temporary workspace for two of Cognizant’s teams whilst taking into consideration the future marketability as a furnished tenancy.
Whilst completed on a tight programme, this sub-tenancy was also delivered with care and consideration, ensuring no decisions would impact the overall sustainability of this 6-Star Greenstar fitout.
Built over multiple stages on an occupied site, this presented the design team with unique challenges. The team at alkimi pivoted & flexed throughout the duration of the programme to ensure the overall success of the project, whilst ensuring the essence of the design concept remained uncompromised.
Sustainability
This project is currently undergoing accreditation with the GBCA, with the expectation that this fitout will be awarded a 6-star greenstar rating. It is also expected that the fitout will achieve a 5-star NABERS rating.
All furniture, finishes and joinery throughout have been specified and designed with sustainability at the forefront and where possible, the existing base building structure has been retained.
To avoid compromising the existing HVAC systems and avoid unnecessary demolition, all space planning was completed with considerations to the locations of the existing active and passive chilled beams and ceiling structure. This presented unique opportunities and challenges during the space planning stage and informed the location of all full height built structures throughout.
Collaboration and open communication with the appointed sustainability consultant (ADP consulting) ensured sustainability was reviewed holistically throughout all early design stages, tender and construction. This collaboration ensured that an in-depth understanding of the sustainable impact of the build was at the forefront for all consultants and our client during the course of the entire project. Sustainability was fully embedded into the holistic design philosophy including awareness and a deep understanding for staff & visitors.
Interior Design - Commercial
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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