Afterpay Melbourne Office

Crafting the Future Office: The Studio* creates a Masterstroke at Afterpay’s Melbourne Headquarters

In the heart of Melbourne’s fashion district, a work of art perches on levels five through eight of 100 Queen Street. This vertical campus is not just an office; it’s a lifestyle statement. Designed by The Studio*, this monument to the ‘new normal’ of work environments offers a sensual escape from the routine, echoing the audacious philosophies of its occupant — Afterpay.

The Studio* brings a quarter-century of experience creating award-winning spaces for global brands, startups, and more. This team of designers and strategists harmonises their curious minds to craft spaces that are not just functional but emotionally resonant. The client’s unique needs and visions lay at the heart of their design philosophy, making each project a masterpiece.

Against the tapestry of Melbourne’s diverse architectural styles, Afterpay’s office is a haven of luxury and innovation. The 5,000-square-metre fit-out for Afterpay is unlike any corporate hive. The building, once the bustling Melbourne Stock Exchange, has been reborn as a temple to modern working life, thanks to the development and genius of The Studio*.

Divorcing the conventional corporate atmosphere, the space explores a community-centric ethos. It’s a vertical village that nurtures Afterpay’s internal culture, catering to an eclectic range of needs. Each floor is an invitation to experience work anew, from the luminous atrium adorned with perforated white steel to the glorious winter garden offering a sanctuary from the digital world.

One remarkable feature is the plug-and-play ‘marketplace,’ an interactive expanse that blurs the boundaries between workspace and communal area. Imagine an Australian-made furniture fair in the heart of your office. This democratic arrangement permits merchants and visitors to collaborate and innovate, all under the same roof. A universe of Australian-made furniture, lighting, and AV technology allows for custom-tailored experiences, elevating brand engagement to an unparalleled echelon.

Of the myriad interior elements, one that stands out is the Bauhaus Grid Lounges designed by Helen Kontouris for LEN. This piece of Australian-made furniture seamlessly blends the ethos of Bauhaus design. Comprising geometric shapes like squares, circles, and rectangles allows for diverse group settings. The designs express a unique visual language, accentuated by intersecting lines that add a graphic dimension.

This elegant Australian-made furniture complements the space by offering flexibility and diversity. It is more than seating; it is an exploration of spatial arrangements. Its soft, quilted, curved forms and sophisticated palette resonate with the dynamic needs of modern open-plan environments. The Bauhaus Grid Lounges are strategically placed on the two sides of the 2nd floor of the space, ready for any employee or visitor to experience its luxury, versatility, and comfort.

Australian-made furniture has a special place in this palatial environment. It aligns perfectly with Afterpay’s vision—offering people financial freedom while rewarding them for ethical choices. The Australian-made furniture here is a functional necessity and a testament to Afterpay’s commitment to local industries.

The design reverberates with surprising moments. It features intimate nooks and crannies, like the ethereal space with chairs overlooking a Gothic building, providing a cocoon of respite. Here, Australian-made furniture adds an extra layer of sophistication and comfort.

Moreover, selecting Australian furniture is not just an aesthetic choice but a narrative element. For instance, the atmosphere is unlike any traditional office space in the technical support area. It’s more akin to a grand American hotel lounge, yet with an undeniable Australian flair.

The Afterpay office designed by The Studio* has already bagged significant awards, including the Australian Better Future Awards and the Sydney Design Awards. Such accolades underline not just the aesthetic but also the ethical dimensions of the project. It highlights an excellent collaboration between design virtuosos who understand not just the aesthetics of space but its ability to elevate the human experience.

This project is a beacon in a world reimagining its workspace ethics post-COVID-19. It showcases how an environment can be both an office and a sanctuary, a meeting room and a meditation corner, a tech hub, and a winter garden. It shows us the future of workspaces—places where we don’t just work but thrive. This is not just a space filled with Australian-made furniture; it is an environment that understands, nurtures, and celebrates the Australian way of life.

So, as the boundaries between work and life continue to blur, spaces like these, filled with beautifully designed Australian-made furniture, give us a glimpse of what the future could hold: a world where every day at the office is a new experience waiting to be lived.

To learn more about Bauhaus, please speak to one of our team, or contact our distribution partner for Australia at Stylecraft. For all international enquiries, please get in touch with us at info@lenfurniture.com.