Light and vitality: Sheeth HQ by Studio Prineas

Image: Gavin Green

Located on a busy industrial street in Gadigal Country in Sydney's inner west, Sheeth HQ is a robust yet playful workplace that celebrates the architectural character of a common building type. Designed by Studio Prineas as the headquarters for a boutique builder, Sheeth HQ introduces light and renewed vitality into a former commercial warehouse.

Once an untouched and open commercial space, the building's existing built fabric and material palette encouraged Studio Prineas to embrace a raw interior expression – with lofty ceiling heights, exposed steel trusses, concrete floors and redbrick walls providing the framework for the design.

"As a family business, Sheeth wanted its headquarters to reflect its philosophy of quality craftsmanship, while elevating the team's working lives," said Eva-Marie Prineas, principal of Studio Prineas.

Image: Gavin Green

Sheeth HQ's unassuming frontage leads to an open entry foyer, with a stainless-steel reception desk and bar at its centre. "We loved the idea of keeping a strong, solid facade to the street and creating a surprising contrast upon entry," said Prineas. An informal waiting area and a meeting space, softened by operable blue velvet curtains, offset the rawness of the warehouse shell.

Breaking up the original volume of space, panelled walls with integrated storage cleverly conceal entry to the bathrooms, kitchen and prayer room. Workstations and meeting spaces are interspersed with an indoor basketball court and custom table-tennis table, encouraging ad hoc play throughout the workday.

Studio Prineas cut a generous courtyard into the centre of the warehouse. Lush with greenery and open to the sky, the courtyard draws natural light and breezes deep into the space, while offering a natural gathering place for the team to connect. "We aimed to create a journey through the building, with dedicated places to gather and socialize," said Prineas.

Image: Gavin Green

Sheeth HQ's red brick facade and russet steel trusses inspired the use of colour throughout – from terracotta-toned glazed partition framing to workstation screens and meeting tables. A light-filled board room with fluted glass pivot doors, fitted with bespoke joinery and mesh ceiling panels with integrated lighting, exemplifies Sheeth's construction capabilities.

Sheeth and Studio Prineas, having an established working relationship before commencing work on Sheeth HQ, collaborated to create a highly bespoke and richly detailed response to place – inspired by the gritty character of the warehouse site and with a cohesive palette throughout that connects a program of spaces, creating harmony between old and new.

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