Reactive | Melbourne Design Studios

Located in the vibrant city fringe suburb of Fitzroy in Melbourne, Australia, the brief for this commercial fit-out for ‘Reactive Media’, an award winning, international digital design agency, required the expansion and reinvigoration of an existing crowded workplace. As the company headquarters, a strong emphasis upon an engaging and cooperative staff environment was key. Designing in elements such as the open staircase with feature screen, enable ‘chancemeetings’ to take place, and were incorporated to maintain a single company culture in a workplace where staff are spread over two levels. Visually, company branding and colour were important elements within the brief. The design response incorporates the branding within the architecture, by meshing a minimalist design approach with the company's own imagery and future vision. The success of this integration is highlighted through the purpose built, 'accidental' meeting places, where bold tones come together, and do not clash or distract, but compliment each other. To promote sustainable travel to both staff and visitors alike, bicycle storage is located within one of the staff breakout spaces, not hidden away, thereby encouraging the use of cycling as a means of transportation. Recycled timber elements have been used throughout, whilst exposing the existing concrete floor provides additional thermal mass within the space, helping to maintain internal thermal comfort levels. This result is the transformation of what was once little more than a dark concrete shell with windows, into an exciting modern work environment which better reflects Reactive Media’s core values and innovate business approach.