ANTONI ASSOCIATES were appointed by Sygnia, a financial services company to re-locate their offices to the top two floor levels of The Foundry in Green Point. The brief to Mark Rielly and Michele Rhoda of ANTONI ASSOCIATES was to create an open plan office environment, inspired by industrial New York loft-style gallery spaces.
The client is an art aficionado and has curated a collection of prominent international and local artworks which she wanted installed throughout the new office. The design team conceptualised the stark white interior to capture a gallery ‘feel’. All walls, ceilings and exposed steelwork were painted white. The floors were treated with a light grey epoxy high gloss finish. This clean palette created the perfect backdrop for exhibiting the various artworks and installations.
Meeting boxes were created as an alternative to traditional meeting rooms. These are raised off the floor and are accentuated by concealed strip lighting in the skirting detail. V-shaped suspended, fragmented bulkheads running along the gallery corridor cleverly contains concealed lighting and allows light to reflect off the ceiling.
David Reade was commissioned to design an installation of over 700 pieces of hand-blown coloured glass which was suspended from the roof ceiling, through the central floor perforation into the level below. The refraction and reflection of this infusion of colour in this white palette creates a focal point on this level.
For the staff cafeteria and relaxation lounge a feature bar and serving counter was created from in situ concrete into which the Sygnia logo was cast. A metal chain industrial screen divides the entertainment space where groupings of smaller dining tables have been provided. This entertainment level spills out onto a large roof terrace with panoramic views of the City.
The overall success of this project is that it translates into an inspiring work place where art has been successfully integrated into a working environment.
