Microsoft, North Sydney

Located within 1 Denison Street in North Sydney, the new Microsoft Australia Head Office breaks the mould of a traditional workplace and is a fully immersive experience. Thanks to the collective expertise of the GroupGSA team. Microsoft’s hybrid office experience features intelligent lighting, robotics and advanced workplace occupancy sensors linked to Microsoft platforms. The 10,000 sqm office will house 1400 employees over seven levels, consolidating the tech giant’s three offices in the Sydney CBD. GroupGSA has cleverly taken advantage of the fact that Microsoft will be housed in one of the smartest buildings in Sydney, allowing for flexible work anytime, anywhere. Structurally, the space is home to a monolithic Corian® clad staircase illuminated with a built-in digital art installation that references Microsoft’s digital code and runs continuously throughout all seven floors. The programmable installation provides Microsoft with the opportunity to inform the mood of the environment, reflect the weather, or interact with the activity of users traversing through the levels or change colour for themed events. “The lighting can intensify if there are lots of people on the floor. It has the ability to react to the weather and reflect what’s happening in the environment outside,” says GroupGSA associate director and lead designer Jessica Margoitta. Margiotta says tech companies, like Microsoft, need their talent to be constantly stimulated, future-focused and pushing boundaries. Key to this is good workplace design. “Microsoft’s new flagship office in Australia changes the perspective on what a workspace is and how it functions,” she says. “The result is a workplace design that inspires its employees to create the extraordinary.” Project Details Design By: GroupGSA Builder: MPA Joiner: Maneto Fabrication: Palette Solid Surface and Fabrications Photography: Courtesy of MPA Applications: Staircase Cladding CORIAN® Colours Glacier White [A]