Dynamic and Raw: Today Design Workspace in Collingwood by Studio Edwards.

What happens when you say goodbye to plasterboard? Melbourne-based architecture practice Studio Edwards has a pretty good answer to that question. Located within the vibrant creative hub that is Melbourne’s Collingwood neighbourhood is their newly completed workspace for digital agency Today Design. It is a space that embraces materiality and delivers a dynamic and progressive approach to office-working.

When asked about their distinct material palette, Studio Edwards shared that the selections were born out of an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The goal was to create a workspace that was constructed entirely from readily made materials without applied finishes. So that explains the lack of paint, plaster and typical laminate joinery that we’re so accustomed to seeing. Instead, joinery elements, such as the kitchen, are crafted out of recycled plastics and blue-coloured plywood panels.

The distinct blue timber beams that frame the various working pods bear striking resemblance to termite-treated timber framing used commonly across various building sites. Left untreated, these blue framed walls are infilled with either OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or translucent corrugated sheeting, allowing natural light to flood even the most enclosed spaces—but more importantly, celebrating the structure!

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In a large landscape of office space, Studio Edward created small clusters of smaller private work pods, with video conferencing suits and private meeting rooms too. Sitting like little blocks scattered throughout the space, Studio Edwards based the height of the pods on standard material sheet sizes that are 2.4m high, minimising the need for cutting and material waste.

Another clever move was their decision to adopt a series of temporary infrastructures and instead, embed them as permanent elements through the design. Scaffolding pipes and clamps are used as framing elements, providing structural support for partition framing, and even forming furniture elements throughout various rooms. In the informal lounge, they are draped with recycled shade sail cloths to create screened nooks for working, while still allowing natural light to permeate beyond. They also become the structure for the various-sized tables across conference and meeting rooms.

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Enhancing the collaborative spirit of the Today Design workspace was a key element of the brief. By creating a series of pivoting OSB walls, sliding doors and acoustic curtains, Studio Edwards achieved a highly flexible design that allows various spaces to expand and contract based on project group sizes.

Complete with rolls of underlay that make up the reception counter, and raw brass shelves that will age naturally with time, the Today Design workspace is a testament to Studio Edwards’ creative outlook on the power of raw materials, and just what is achievable when designers approach projects with environment and material life cycle in mind.

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[Images courtesy of Studio Edwards. Photography by Peter Bennetts.]