The A&CO. Workshop

The Workshop is Alexander &CO.’s newest working space in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. It consists of a series of meeting spaces and lounges over two storeys and includes a kitchenette, external bathroom area, wellness space with a traditional Nordic sauna, outdoor ice bath and experimental urban farm.

Adjoining the Practice’s HQ, Alexander House, The Workshop explores the concept of a campus-like environment in a context of traditional terrace structures. As an extension of Alexander House, the hybrid building’s brief included performing similarly as a commercial space for the Practice team and residential showcase for clients, albeit with its own character, minimal construction and tighter size constraints.

It was designed as a space for experimentation and collaboration, a ‘gallery of prototypes’, where the team works with a long standing list of artisans across many creative partnerships. A place to test material hypotheses and provide opportunity for advancing the Practice's work without the risks posed to a client.

The intention to introduce as little new material as possible highlights the original materiality as the space's hero; natural beauty is revealed in original brickwork and fireplaces and exposed timber joists. Drawing inspiration from English garden sheds, the undone raw materiality is accented with sage green and a recycled glass door, frames the rear garden connection.

The upper floor with a hand-blotted textured ceiling finish and Portuguese plaster acts as a blank canvas for handpicked vintage furniture, styling ‘objet d’art’ items, artworks and collaborative pieces crafted by local makers.

"As a working environment within a residential structure, it is an extension of our Practice and Alexander House, our original work space, yet also holds a character of its own as a place for creative experimentation and collaboration."

Principal Jeremy Bull