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Chanel / French Fashion House
By : GroupGSA
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Interior Design : Grand Winner
Categories : Office / Office ≤ 5,400 sq.ft. (≤ 500 sq. m.) : Gold Certification, Platinum Winner
Categories : Special Awards / Interior Design + Stairs : Gold Certification
Rich in history, The French Fashion Brand is a brand that not only transcends time and space but understands the importance of upholding an aesthetic that aligns to its origins and embraces its future. Pursuit of innovation with respect for this heritage underpinned the design for the French Fashion Brand Australia’s new corporate headquarters at 100 Mount Street.
Every element of the two-floor workspace, connected by a dramatic spiral staircase, evokes a subtle but immediate visual connection to the luxury brand. The adaptable design delivers an elegant, exceptional workspace which unifies the iconic business across myriad workstreams. Giving consideration to functionality and the need to futureproof the space for potential expansion, the floorplan configurations allow for additional work positions, in parallel with flexible spaces, opulent storage options and a café at its core. The headquarters achieve a seductive blend of luxurious ambience with a transparent and connected workplace that robustly supports the current and anticipated needs of the business.
The multi-disciplinary team at GroupGSA designed with intent, seamlessly integrating the iconic luxury brand—replete as it is with an oeuvre steeped in opulent fashion—with corporate spaces that accommodate the variety of work undertaken. In designing the space, the team took cues from the original store in Rue Cambon, Paris, and imagined how it would translate within an Australian context and landscape. Exploring this theme, the concept of a Parisian home was stripped back and the nuances that could be reflective of the Australian vernacular were pinpointed. Nature, subtlety, balance and symbolism became the core drivers for this new imagined home.
Progressing this design concept, GroupGSA approached the challenge as an atelier would a garment, embracing the strong lines and renowned silhouettes of the brand to inspire the formation of the two-level workspace. A spiral staircase is the centrepiece connecting the two floors and is a respectful nod to the original stairs at Rue Cambon in Paris. The stair played an important role in the development and history of the French Fashion brand, and was at the heart of the daily life of French designer. In reimagining this element, we envisaged not only how Chanel would use it, but how it should reflect the current representation of the brand in Australia.
An undulating, double height feature wall encapsulates this spiral staircase, reminiscent of the fall of a woman’s garment or dress, and also reflective of the Australian love of water and nature. Integrated light cascades between its plaster ridges, resembling the rhythm created by faceted mirrors in the original stair.
This is a workplace that diffuses the lines between a luxury residential home and a retail environment. It allows for integrated representations of the brand and its people without relying on iconography. The design is representative of the French Fashion House's global positioning, while recognising and referencing the local context. Uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour, the headlands and the Blue Mountains offer a direct connection to the Australian landscape and provide a backdrop to the selection of finishes that not only speaks to the French Fashion House's expression, but also aligns to Australian life. Natural light bathes the floors through floor to ceiling windows, solidifying an atmosphere of openness and transparency.
Collaboration
