Refurbishment of OpenText North Sydney offices complete

The fitout spans Levels 5 and 6 in the original Cisco building, the iconic A-Grade commercial building located in the heart of North Sydney. The combination of its unique triangular floorplate, extensive use of glass and its location allows for stunning views of Sydney Harbour from most aspects of the building.

Hot Black’s design concept creates an interconnective workplace environment with areas that revolve around fixed and activity-based working. This was achieved by demarcating the floor plate into functional spaces that utilise a combination of floor finishes, and transparent wall features to create an integrated environment that is conducive to collaboration, communication, and growth.

International and local stakeholder management was a key success factor for the project with weekly teleconference PCG meetings capturing all requirements.

The entrance comprises a private front of house and waiting area showcasing a Modo chandelier and hand-looped Tapetti feature rug while the adjacent executive offices take pride of place with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour.

Two heavy opaque glass doors lead into the engine room of OpenText. A generous café-style staff eating area with booth seating adjoins a large kitchen, providing a relaxed, informal space for staff to prepare and enjoy a meal or snack.

Skirting the edges of the floor plate are designated spaces featuring formal meeting areas, some of which are equipped with video conferencing, private lounge meeting areas, bar/standing meeting areas, a media lounge, resident workstations, focus spaces, collaboration spaces and storage spaces with a number of private offices and meeting rooms occupying the centre of the floor plate.

This was a logistically challenging project as Opentext staff remained in occupation throughout the project. Each stage required the relocation of existing staff between floors while ensuring that at all times business continuity was never compromised. Further challenges resulted from maintaining live fully functional comms rooms which were supporting OpenText’s North Sydney office as well as their Melbourne office. Significant buildability issues resulted from the replacement of the comms room doors with fire rated partitions and doors. Graphite worked closely with IT representatives to ensure operations were not affected while these issues were resolved.

Graphite Projects wish to thank the project team for a fantastic result: CBRE, Hot Black, Meinhardt, Steve Watson & Partners, and the many subcontractors and suppliers.