Freedom of movement and the opportunity to quickly change pace defines The Commons in South Yarra, a shared workspace by Foolscap Studio.
Key features
Inspired by the idea of a disruptive grid, the studio has created a co-working space interspersing modular workspaces with other, more fluid, zones. On the far side of a larger dining area, for example, is a semi-circular meeting space facing an integrated whiteboard wall for jotting down any spontaneous ‘aha’ moments. Elsewhere, a ‘sensory room’ invites users to sink beneath a slightly raised floor, which subverts the constrictions of what is essentially a compact and rectangular space.
Overall, the layout is targeted at meeting the needs of various users while putting emphasis placed on collaboration and social interaction. A custom-built staircase connects the four-storey space and draws people up towards the upper levels where spatial elements play with height to accommodate meetings or lounging. One area, dubbed Makers Space, features a fully functioning workshop for tasks such as laser cutting, 3D printing and other arts and crafts. Other amenities include photographer spaces, a multimedia podcast studio and a yoga room, with a minimal materials palette and curtain-lined walls to create a sense of calm.
Frame’s take
Foolscap offers a blueprint for modern co-working spaces and is in line with current 9-to-5 habits as we enter a ‘new normal’ following COVID-19, which created a unique opportunity to revise what working can look like. After needing to take Zoom calls from our bedrooms, returning to an office environment is bound to be more relaxed than before. By blurring the lines between recreational areas and spaces intended for working, The Commons South Yarra strikes the perfect balance to make the transition a little easier. ‘In the past year we’ve seen the typology of working-from-home emerge in parallel to the office place,’ says Adèle Winteridge, founding director of Foolscap Studio. ‘For The Commons South Yarra we envisaged a “third space” for working – a place that is less about the hot desk and more about social engagement, separating work from home, and gaining access to specialist facilities.’