Austrade, Barangaroo

Key challenges on this project included the acoustic design with ceilings and partition walls as well as achieving the 6-star Greenstar rating. Our team worked closely with the acoustic consultant and Greenstar consultant to come up with a design solution to meet the acoustic and Greenstar requirements. With a highly detailed scope and challenges along the way, the project ran smoothly and reached successful handover in a timeframe of 10 weeks.

The Austrade fitout was completed with a fully equipped indigenous reception desk, high tech Audio Visual services and an enormous breakout area with integrated boardrooms.

The SHAPE team worked closely with the client to move towards a sustainable outcome. SHAPE sourced and made use of sustainable products and timber cladding as well as the use of low-impact materials for the natural stone and timber to provide statement features across the fitout. We had a limit of just 2.5 tonnes that could go to landfill and by completion, had only sent 800kg to landfill. A huge 14 tonnes of waste was recycled.

We took this opportunity to expand on our processes and strategies so that we can continue to build sustainable practices within the construction industry.

Green Building Council Australia is leading the sustainable transformation of Australia’s buildings, cities and communities. For more information on their accreditation and 6 star buildings visit their website

The hero piece of the project was the ANZ client floor on level 16. It featured the main concierge area, a private banking vault, boardroom, event rooms, and a custom-designed Indigenous carpet by Gamilaroi Ularoi/Yuwaalaraay yinarr artist, Lakkari Pitt. SHAPE succeeded in combining all key elements on a single floor, delivered on time and to the highest quality standard, despite multiple COVID-related shutdowns.

With sustainability a major focus for ANZ, SHAPE ensured sustainable practices were integrated into the fitout, during the ECI phase. To reduce waste, existing furniture was reused and repurposed whenever possible, including from the ANZ “Open House” project in Melbourne, which SHAPE delivered. Through the ReSHAPE programme, furniture that was not reused was donated to charity partners to give it a second life. Supporting this sustainability mindset, biophilic design elements, such as a green wall and planters, were injected to enhance wellbeing. Another innovative feature are the three Charopy smart recycling bins, that not only scan your rubbish to help you separate items correctly but raises money for charity (in this case WWF), through the Return and Earn scheme.