The shift from corporate workplace to something closer to a residential interior is immediately legible in Bates Smart’s design for Pinsent Masons’ Sydney office. Set within 33 Alfred Street at Circular Quay, the project draws on the building’s modernist origins while softening its expression through material, form and spatial sequencing.
The fit-out spans levels 16 and 17 of the heritage-listed tower, covering 2,600m2. Designed by Bates Smart and delivered by Shape, the interior adapts one of Sydney’s earliest skyscrapers to support more flexible and collaborative ways of working.
Modernist framework shapes layout and circulation
The design works with the building rather than sitting inside it as a separate layer. Horizontal lines from the original structure are carried through in the ceiling grids and glazing, giving the office a consistent visual rhythm.
Circulation runs along the façade, where full-height glazing brings in daylight and opens up views towards the harbour. Moving through the space feels continuous, with long sightlines instead of enclosed corridors.
Instead of relying on solid walls, the layout uses layers. Ribbed and textured glass partitions define meeting rooms and smaller areas, while still allowing light to pass through. This keeps the office open without making it feel exposed.
Material palette introduces texture without losing clarity
The material palette moves away from a typical corporate finish. Reflective metals, patterned glass and stone surfaces are used together, adding depth without making the space feel heavy.
Marble elements, including reception-style joinery, give certain areas a more solid presence. At the same time, glass and metal surfaces reflect light, helping the space feel brighter and more open.
Lighting follows the same approach. Ceiling fixtures are arranged in a clear grid, referencing mid-century interiors, while floor and table lamps add a softer layer in shared spaces.
Furniture and layout support a more relaxed way of working
Furniture plays a key role in changing the feel of the office. Curved sofas, lounge chairs and circular rugs break away from rigid layouts, creating spaces that feel more like living areas than formal meeting rooms.
These pieces draw from 1960s design, in line with the building’s era, but are arranged to support everyday use. Teams can gather informally, work in smaller groups, or even move between spaces without fixed boundaries.
In larger areas facing the harbour, the layout opens up further. Reflective ceilings bring more light into the space, while seating is arranged in clusters rather than rows, giving these zones a more relaxed character.
The project sits within the wider refurbishment of 33 Alfred Street, where upgrades target a 5.5-Star NABERS Energy rating and a 6-Star Green Star Office As Built v3 rating. The project demonstrates how a modernist building can be updated for today’s workplace without losing its identity.
The project was delivered by SHAPE, working with a wider consultant team including building services by Aston Consulting, lighting by Light Practice, and cost consultancy by WT (Australia). Fire protection systems were delivered by Force Fire, while Generate Property Group supported the project in an advisory and management role.
