The Asaleo Fitout was for an Australian manufacturing company with a set of core values listed as Pride, Integrity and Courage.
With a product range centred around forestry products (paper pulp), a work culture that supports people and innovation, and public shareholder interest, triple bottom line sustainability was a critical factor to a successful fitout.
The existing office was not extended in footprint, however, the number of staff members was doubling to a centralising of operations.
As a result, the office layout needed a complete redesign, and a up\grade as it was more than 30 years old. With a strict budget and sustainable objective, the decision was made to take an upcycling approach to the fitout, and an extensive cataloguing and repurposing exercise began.
Desks, partitions, storage, furniture, glazed walls, ceiling finishes, carpet and doors were largely reused and rearranged in a more contemporary open-plan model of working, with clusters formed for teams and privacy.
It was decided to create an open and inviting reception/coffee lounge at the front of the building that connects the factory staff with the office staff. This was designed with a stripped-back finish, exposing, off-form concrete ceilings, columns and flooring for effect. Where new items were constructed, there was significant use of existing cardboard tubes, a by-product of their manufacturing process. This was fashioned into wall linings, screening devices and shelving units to display product.