The General Store

Following a roller-coaster of lockdowns, creative agency The General Store was determined to inspire its team back to the office.

But the work-from-home way of being had proven that good work could be done beyond the confines of a traditional workspace; the dining table became a place to catch up on emails and the local cafe (or bar, even) became a social hub for collaboration. Sensing there was no turning back, The General Store drew on these ideas of casual comfort as well as inviting hospitality spaces in the undertaking of a complete redesign of its Sydney office.

The space, while open plan for the most part, is arranged into several zones, allowing for The General Store’s multidisciplinary team to work as they need on any given day.

The office in question, on Gadigal land in Surry Hills, is in an almost-century-old building. The space, while open plan for the most part, is arranged into several zones, allowing for The General Store’s multidisciplinary team to work as they need on any given day, be that alone or in collaboration. There are individual bistro tables, with custom leather upholstered banquette seating, as well as sun-drenched tables large enough for teamwork. Chic couches matched with coffee tables are dotted around for casual work conversations. A nook, complete with boardroom table, forms a fun twist on the traditional meeting room. Further defining the variety of workspaces is a Sonos sound system that allows different music to be played in each zone.

Fun and novelty abound. The building’s facade is painted with big, bright flowers, disrupting the decorous traditions of the neighbourhood. A giant, pink ‘G’ sculpture looms large in the office. But perhaps nothing is more novel than the inclusion of a bar. With its terrazzo top and gleaming green back bar, this area works the hardest to create a point of difference and bring a sense of hospitality to the workplace. Like the flowers painted on the building, the bar subverts expectations. The sum of all these details is the impression that anything is possible here.

Building design and interior design by The General Store. Build and joinery by Reliable Shopfitting.