Hardie Grant Workplace by Carr – A Warm, Creative Office Celebrating Storytelling

The new Hardie Grant workplace in Collingwood redefines the modern media office by placing storytelling, creativity, and human experience at the core of its design. Conceived by Carr, the 1,357 m² interior embraces colour, comfort, and connection—creating an environment that mirrors Hardie Grant’s evolution as a leading independent Australian publisher across print, digital media, and marketing.

A Workplace That Embodies Storytelling and Creativity

Hardie Grant sought more than a standard office fit-out—they wanted a workspace that inspires creation, sparks collaboration, and honours their rich publishing legacy. Carr’s response is a warm, expressive interior that blends residential comfort with contemporary workplace agility. Soft furnishings, tactile materials, and curated colour accents create a space that feels both homely and energising.

Rather than signalling continuity, the design marks a deliberate moment of change, symbolising Hardie Grant’s future while honouring its past. The workplace unites the company’s diverse creative teams under one roof, ensuring every arm of the organisation is represented in a cohesive spatial narrative.

A Timber Tower Setting: T3 Collingwood

Engaged early in the building-selection phase, Carr helped Hardie Grant choose T3 Collingwood—a striking 15-level mass timber commercial building in Melbourne’s dynamic inner north. The exposed timber structure and warm tones naturally aligned with the client’s identity.

Associate Director Catherine Key notes that Collingwood’s lively, eclectic character mirrors Hardie Grant’s creative spirit. The design needed to feel welcoming and approachable—inviting everyone from authors to digital collaborators—and to support the free flow of ideas.

An Inviting Arrival That Feels Like Home

Visitors enter into a vibrant, open lounge-like arrival space that immediately invites them to pause, explore, or pick up a book. Low-profile furniture, careful alignment of joinery, and unobstructed sightlines allow natural light and panoramic views to set the atmosphere. This threshold space merges seamlessly with the staff breakout and dining zones, fostering spontaneous interaction and cross-team collaboration.

A Library Corridor That Celebrates Legacy

A defining feature of the workplace is the library archive that lines the corridor leading to the client meeting rooms. Once hidden in the previous office, the archive is now celebrated—becoming a tactile, day-to-day part of the team's workflow. The corridor acts as both a transitional space and a storytelling device, acknowledging Hardie Grant’s deep roots in print publishing.

Raw MDF shelving, cork flooring, and clay-toned joinery complement the mass timber structure while reflecting the terracotta façade of the building. A neutral base palette supports bold accents, allowing curated print works and materials to stand out. Designer Kirby Humphries describes the space as one filled with “moments of discovery,” guiding staff and visitors with playful bursts of colour.

Flexible Work Zones That Support Diverse Creative Modes

To support Hardie Grant’s range of working styles—from editorial concentration to collaborative brainstorming—the floor plan includes adaptable meeting rooms, quiet zones, and fluid open work areas. Modular joinery ensures the workspace can evolve with the company’s future needs.

Residential-style furniture permeates the office, reinforcing warmth, ease, and a sense of belonging. These familiar elements help balance productivity with comfort, creating an environment where creativity naturally thrives.

A Distinctive Workplace for a Leading Independent Publisher

The Hardie Grant workplace is bold yet welcoming, sophisticated yet playful. Carr has crafted a design that celebrates storytelling, honours media heritage, and enhances the everyday experiences of the people who bring ideas to life. Bright, textural, and inherently human, the workspace reflects Hardie Grant’s identity as one of Australia’s most influential independent publishers—today and for years to come.

All photographs are works of  Tom Blachford