BHP Headquarters by Woods Bagot

Through a layered design of textural surfaces, Woods Bagot has rejuvenated BHP’s global headquarters in Melbourne.

Backed by an established relationship that goes back a decade, BHP delivered an expansive brief to Woods Bagot in complete trust. The brief stipulated the reduction of the previous five-level office into two-and-a-half floors filled with warm and welcoming spaces. The new office needed to offer a connection to the site, be embedded with sustainable elements and offer safe spaces of diversity and inclusion for all staff.

“It was about creating a connection to the site through the spatial design and material palette.”

Woods Bagot looked to how the interior design could link to the location in a tangible way. “It was about creating a connection to the site through the spatial design and material palette,” says Simone Lockley, senior interior designer at Woods Bagot. “When we talk about the connection to the site in Melbourne, it’s about connecting to the global business and ensuring people who are typically CBD-based can engage with what the organisation is doing on the ground through the design.” Soft detailing and organic inserts pepper the interior with no detail missed – Studio Ongarato was commissioned to expand upon the initial brief and create flamed copper room signage and cartographical patterned privacy decals.

Just as important as the material palette was the storytelling. Woods Bagot created moments where memoranda and materials from BHP’s current and former sites can be appreciated. “Within the organic forms, we scooped out alcoves for art and objects, which create key landmarks and subtly inform wayfinding throughout the space while sharing stories of BHP’s history,” says Lockley. To further detail the company narrative, Woods Bagot took inspiration from BHP’s vast global portfolio for the colour palette and employed earthy tones for the walls and floor, while cool hues of blue and green are used for upholstery and joinery. This direction results in a visually cohesive space that aligns with the company’s brand identity.

Woods Bagot created moments where memoranda and materials from BHP’s current and former sites can be appreciated.

Sustainability is addressed through the reuse and repurposing of existing materials during the fit-out. These measures included retaining a large portion of the ground-floor lounge, while furniture from BHP’s existing catalogue has been revived and redeployed. Additionally, the new workplace has been designed with agile workspaces to suit the diverse working styles of the team. In its completed form, BHP’s Melbourne CBD workplace is a tonal and textural oasis that is striking and awe-inspiring.

Architecture and interior design by Woods Bagot. Build by Shape.