Drawing on Experience – Techne Studio by Techne Architecture and Interior Design

Attuned to creating activated social spaces, Techne Architecture and Interior Design turned well-honed knowledge into practice in the proposal of the studio’s own dedicated workspace in Carlton. Techne Studio stands as testament to the team’s practiced approach, carving out key areas for connection and focus, inspiring their everyday rituals.

As a test to Techne Architecture and Interior Design’s own methodology and design discourse, the new Techne Studio is an experimental exercise of its own accord, allowing the testing of the practic’es own principles. Previously nestled into the centre of Melbourne, the new space is located in the eclectic and heritage rich Carlton, to the north of the city. The encasing building for the studio reflects the storied past of its previous tenants, and through the preservation of elements such as the exposed red brick wall, aims to layer the past into the present space, ensuring its continuance. The result is born from a deeply collaborative approach, based around core areas and opportunities for connection.

At the core of the new space is an inherent flexibility, both in the arrangement of spaces and the way in which traditional work tasks are performed.

The need for workplaces to evolve has been coming for some time. But with increased flexibility of location and remote access questioning the true benefits of a centralised workplace, never has it been put under such a spotlight. After engaging in an internal survey, the Techne team was asked what their ideal workplace would be and which building typology they felt connected with them. The results led the selection of the siting in an established setting, surrounded by a rich hospitality scene that was easily accessible and walkable during the day.

At the core of the new space is an inherent flexibility, both in the arrangement of spaces and the way in which traditional work tasks are performed. Incorporating sit-stand desking and rotating elements, passive movement becomes a key factor, and through an integrated approach, sees a clever integration into the everyday. The multiple levels and central stair also create a sense of connection between floors while also encouraging up and downward transport by foot. Bringing in some of the social and hospitality culture of the streets of Carlton connects the studio in place while dissolving the traditional formality around the workspace as purely functional.

Bringing in some of the social and hospitality culture of the streets of Carlton connects the studio in place while dissolving the traditional formality around the workspace as purely functional.

Techne Studio stands as a uniquely individual response to the creation of the workplace and stems from the empathetic and engaging sensibilities of its people. The result is a layered, animated and energy rich series of spaces that acts as its own working model for future workplace design.