NEWS
Rooted in history and truth
Woods Bagot recently redesigned KPMG's office in Perth, Western
Australia with the design rooted in something fundamental – the earth
on which the building stands.
By Anna Meadows for the American Hardwood Export Council
6
JUNE / JULY 2019 //
K
PMG’s Bishop See office space
was designed to enhance the
new agile and more connected
working culture of this global
professional services giant, while
this 10-storey building at St George’s
Terrace in the city centre exists on a
site of historical significance for
indigenous communities.
By working with indigenous
activist, educator and creative force,
Dr Richard Walley, the Woods Bagot
team learnt the cultural meaning of
the land. This particular site was
designated by indigenous
communities to be one of ‘no
warfare’. Drawing from ‘six seasons
belief’ the Woods Bagot team paid
tribute to the time of the year when,
at the end of the winter months, the
bushland would be burnt, and new
growth stimulated – a time of change
and new possibilities. As the
redesign signified a point of change
for KPMG the working mantra for the
project became ‘Regeneration for
the next generation’.
The palate and materials selected
were inspired by the Western
Australian landscape of earthy tones
and ashy black and grey invoking
images of blackened timber burnt
from trees. A smoke graphic etched
on glazing is contrasted with deep
greens of the upholstery to connote
new growth.
A centrepiece of the project is a
vast curved timber wall in the
reception. Visually aligning with a
spacial concept of curves and
connecting circular symbols the wall,
constructed in steam bent American
black walnut, is a homage to the
naturally carved rock faces found
along the Western Australian
coastline, most recognisable at Wave
Rock. Spanning the full height and
length of the reception, the wall
The interior of KPMG’s Bishop See office in Perth.
dramatically curves and subtly suggests that it has formed gradually over time.
The wall was conceived and created by Perth-based designer Jack Flanagan.
Given the strong core theme of the overall design of the interiors, and aware of
Flanagan’s reputation for passion and care for his work, the Woods Bagot team felt
confident enough to give him an open brief for a bench seat joined to the wall.
Says Flanagan about the challenge, “After narrowing down the organic form of
the wall, I brainstormed a number of potential manufacturing techniques including
machining timber profiles to make up the overall shape. The final solution was to
steam bend the timber strips onto a metal frame to allow the form to look as
organic as possible.”
In selecting a material, the first consideration for Flanagan was the ability of the
timber to bend efficiently, which led him to choose between American white oak
and American walnut. The smooth grain and deep chocolate tones that
complement the core colour palate of the project meant American walnut was
decided upon.
Flanagan was rigorous in his testing of the capabilities of the walnut.
“We had to see how far we could push the material in the steam bending
process. Because every strip of walnut was steam bent and twisted to a different
length and shape; we could not use supporting jigs, so we did have a number of
breakages around the particularly tight curves if the grain wasn’t straight enough.”
The outcome is a triumph. The flowing form of the wall and seat is both visually
impactful and comfortable. The complex structure satisfyingly combines modern
fixings with timber bending techniques that date back hundreds of years.
www.timberiq.co.za