Elevated and Considered – Ray White Boutique Reception by Smac Studio

Nestled into Sydney’s Rose Bay, the reception of Ray White Boutique looks more like a high-end retail store than a consulting and sales office. Designed by Smac Studio, the space epitomises a shift, thanks to ever-rising property prices, towards a more elevated offering in the real estate industry.

At just three metres wide, the building came with challenges due to size limitations of the existing shell. In response, Smac Studio enlisted a series of interventions that focus on quality, with the restrictive dimensions of the space guiding a scaled opulence. Instead of imposing too many new components, the approach sees more of an integrated methodology, as elements such as seating, storage, lighting and even displays come to shape the interior architecture.

The approach sees more of an integrated methodology, as elements such as seating, storage, lighting and even displays come to shape the interior architecture.

Cleverly, Smac Studio has made up for the lack of space by focusing on the premium nature of the finishes. With timber flooring offering a warm base, an inviting atmosphere usually associated with a home is evoked. A custom arced, lounge-style window banquette then makes use of the dramatically curved glass shopfront, offering both a meeting and waiting arrangement. Similar to the way an island bench in a kitchen is the heart of the home, the centralised reception counter is clad in dramatic Viola marble, painstakingly crafted by a very patient stonemason.

Wanting to create a place that feels like home while also exciting clients and developers, the aspirational qualities of Ray White Boutique Reception offer an idyllic setting. With a tempered restraint, Smac Studio has employed a palette of high-end materials and sophisticated design gestures that envision an inspired life.

Similar to the way an island bench in a kitchen is the heart of the home, the centralised reception counter is clad in dramatic Viola marble, painstakingly crafted.