Hassell, Sydney: Motivated, Focused, Holistic.

A heritage-listed, former wool store on pier 8/9 in Sydney’s Millers Point was once at the heart of a vibrant trading port, and now houses the Sydney studio of international design practice HASSELL.  The 2,000 sqm. workplace occupies three floors of the pier and is an open and collaborative space that both showcases and enhances the creativity of the integrated design team it houses. The interior fitout works with the character of the original building, with a careful material selection that complements rather than competes with the robust, industrial nature of the site. 

Within the studio there are a range of spaces that encourage formal and informal teamwork – exemplified by a large ‘grandstand’ that greets people on arrival. Flexible workstations allow for close collaboration between colleagues across the practice’s four main disciplines – architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture – and can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing project requirements.

The studio’s ‘grandstand’ entrance is used for internal meetings, client events, and external gatherings including musical performances, dinners and industry events. With a key focus on developing young designers and attracting the best design talent across the globe, HASSELL is utilising new design technologies to better connect its network of international studios. “We continue to evolve different ways of working utilising new technology,” says Principal and Head of Design Tony Grist. “Technology is constantly changing and it is making us more efficient and better at working internationally.” 

From 3D printing, virtual reality and internationally networked segues, to software like Grasshopper, HASSELL is  using different technologies for design reviews, prototyping and testing. “It has really ramped up over the last few years and we can see it continuing as we begin to test different technologies and find ways to work smarter while using them,” adds Grist. “Our teams are really motivated to find new ways of doing things in order to better respond to clients’ briefs.”  HASSELL hasn’t completely moved away from traditional means of presenting and reviewing though. Like all the HASSELL studios across the world, the Sydney office also puts a lot of emphasis on the pin-up. A rigorous design process and regular design reviews helps to ensure the best design outcome is delivered for work that is pinned up around the studio, forming a part of the daily office culture.

Photo Credits: © Nicole England