The Stella Collective (TSC) have finished their first office fit out in the prestigious 259 George St building in Sydney. Although by the time TSC was done with it, ‘office fit out’ are the last words you’d use to describe it. It’s more ‘day spa meets fashion label HQ meets luxe retail space’.

With their trademark fine, black steel shelving units, housing either a plant de jour or a sought after Aesop product, the space has got the Stella stamp all over it. From the feminine pale oak flooring that runs throughout the space, to the shimmery golden finishes, it’s as far from a stock standard office as you’re likely to get. They were going for a boutique hotel feeling or a luxury penthouse and aptly coined the project Office In the Sky.

The building had great bones to work with. The 1,000 square meter, located on the top floor, is subject to some of the most exquisite views Sydney has to offer. Frankly it’s hard to step a foot wrong with that as your backdrop.

Stella was up for a total reinterpretation of what an office space should look and feel like.

“Memocorp office represents a throwing out of the design rules of the past in corporate life to re-interpret the way we interact with our work place. There are defined areas to eat, work, play and unwind, yet all feels connected,” said the design company.

Large, black framing fronts the boardroom with heavy linen floor-to-ceiling curtains used for privacy. It lends a domestic element to the hard lines of the steel.

“Light flows from room use, large steel framed glazing replacing the typical ‘shutting off of meeting rooms’, creating light-filled and joyous spaces, whilst also allowing the chance to have privacy when required,” shares TSC.

The black steel framing is ubiquitous in the fit out, as is the gold leaf finish found throughout the space. Credenzas glow in the pearlescent finish, kitchen fronts are also treated with the same shimmer. Whilst it is definitely not a finish one might associate with a standard work environment, you’re hard pressed to think what it does remind you off… a boudoir of sorts, or a show room for a lingerie brand? The space also has a gym complete with yoga matts and a full commercial kitchen.

TSC’s aim was for the space to be a nourishing one, to have almost a spiritual effect on the end user. “All the desks are bathed in abundant natural light, revitalising the soul. The experience far from what we are used to in commercial offices – promoting healthy living and working with a smile,” said the designer.

The space feels very gentle. Feminine. Everything has been carefully detailed and thought through. And one can only applaud each time a design team decides to push the boundaries and try a new approach to commercial design.

[Images courtesy of The Stella Collective. Photography by Peter Clarke.]