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the Working Lounge where visitors can work in preparation for meetings. Both are finished in the signature American Oak. A dramatic spiral staircase leads up to the Level 1 reception, designed to take pressure off the lobby and the lifts and provide visual and operational connection between the lobby and the business. Also on Level 1 is the Private Wealth Lounge connected directly to the car park by its own lift. This concierged area supports meetings between clients and their private bankers. As a client-facing area, the formal design language established here is continued on Levels 27 and 28: spacious, restrained elegance and an opportunity to display some of the corporate art collection. In a fit-out rich in amenity for both staff and visitors, Level 3 stands out. Being at the top of the podium provided the opportunity for an extensive outdoor terrace. Aspect/Oculus have designed an intriguingly wandering landscape of customised furnishings with a managed outdoor barbecue facility. With its own plot of genuine grass, the terrace is aptly described by Geyer’s Uta Wolf as an “oasis”. The terrace links by operable glazed doors to one of the building’s two main cafés to offer a major function space. The cafe is social rather than work-based, although Wi-Fi is available as it is throughout the building – an internal app known as WorkSMART seems to supply almost any kind of information anyone might want. Towards the core of the café space there is a variety of informal work and meeting spaces, including small pods with exquisite laser-cut aluminium ‘mashrabiyah’ screens for privacy while still allowing connection. Also on Level 3 is the Wellness Centre with a multipurpose room for yoga and Pilates along with six consultation rooms offering treatments and services including physiotherapy, remedial massage, podiatry and dieticians – all part of a strategy to provide everything employees could need in-house. Down to the 9000 plants which green the interior, the Westpac tenancy is a kind of world unto itself. Surely, it is the ideal working environment where work and going to work become a pleasure and where everything is provided to facilitate productive and efficient work. And even when someone does eventually leave the building, there is a concierge who will give you tips on where to eat – that is, after they have organised your dry cleaning. Share your thoughts on Westpac, Barangaroo at indesignlive.com/westpac-barangaroo
Paul McGillick is an independent writer on architecture, art and design.
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