Slattery Australia Office by Elenberg Fraser // Melbourne.

Hello and welcome to another Elenberg Fraser project. Sheesh – it’s a third in three months (previously here and here). This has got to be some kind of record. Alas, you guys know that I simply cannot resist a beautiful workplace, especially since they are rare as hens teeth. Couple this with the fact we are talking about an Australian project, and I’m sold, sold, SOLD!

Located in an office tower building in Melbourne’s CBD, the design for the Slattery Australia office was inspired by the “innovation and luxury of the uniforms and vehicles of Tron Legacy.” This slick and sexy interior is a study in sophisticated and restrained materials palette and impeccable detailing. Now, before I get into this any further – for those of you who may not know of Slattery, they are a national Quantity Surveying and Cost Engineering firm. I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly never used words such as “slick” and “sexy” in the same sentence with QS and CE. You catching what I’m pitching? In other words, the design team have done an incredible job in repositioning the perception of Slattery and their image in the marketplace – a true stroke of genius and clever interior branding.

Wide board blonde timber floors flow up onto the walls. Black steel frames to meeting rooms bring a touch of New York loft style. White lacquered and blonde timber wall panelling create a sense of play with geometry and patterns, at times introducing linear curves that play tricks on the eye. Upholstered reception desk with diamond tufted deep buttons is an unexpected element of surprise.

There is a carefully edited collection of furniture and lighting in monochromatic tones. A collection of work by young artists curated by Anna Schwartz Gallery can be seen throughout the space – think Shaun Gladwell, Joseph Kosuth, Emily Floyd and Daniel Crooks.

A couple of weeks ago, Ella and I had the great pleasure of attending an event in this very space, hosted by Slattery Australia and Elenberg Fraser. I wish I could report on how these images aren’t true to the original, but I’m afraid the space looked just as good, if not better than in these magnificent photos by Peter Clarke. But then again, everything does after a few drinks, right? Ha!

[Images and drawings courtesy of Elenberg Fraser. Photography by Peter Clarke.]