Horsley Park Office and Cafe

Horsley Park office and Cafe in Western Sydney are the unexpected gems nestled amongst an expansive warehouse development, bringing some warmth and character to an industrial logistics park.  

Amidst a landscape dominated by metal-clad warehouses, i2C was given a brief to create a small building that departed from the conventional typology surrounding it. A small triangular site to work with, the new development was to have a café offering on the ground floor to support surrounding workers and the client’s office was to sit above.

Design Thinking

i2C’s design approach was to reverse the characteristics of a warehouse typology to create a space that felt like a relief from the industrial setting, while still responding to its context. In contrast to hard edges and surfaces, i2C explored a design that introduced natural materials and organic form, that was focused on the human scale.   

The final design, characterized by curves and natural textures introduces an unexpected fusion of nature-inspired elements within an industrial setting. Timber-look battens, textured render and natural stone paving provide a warm and tactile contrast to the surrounding metallic surfaces. Timber pergola structures encourage climbing plants to soften the building’s edges over time.

Design Challenges

In an era of rapidly climbing material and labour costs, i2C was challenged to think smart about how to value manage the build. Workshops and clever thinking between the client, builder and i2C resulted in a few key moves, and simplifications in planning that were well-considered so that the overall feel and intent of the building remained intact.

Interior Design

i2C was also responsible for curating the interior of the Level 1 office for the client. Care was taken to ensure the architectural vision of the exterior extended seamlessly into the internal design, incorporating natural timbers and a light and airy colour palette.

With a considered open plan work zone, and plenty of amenities the building’s interior aims to integrate nature-inspired aesthetics and contemporary functionality. A feature semi-circular board room with full-height double glazing sits proudly over the alfresco below and makes use of northern views over the adjacent greenfield site.

The strategic placement of windows allows natural light to define the ambience within. Deep black metal shrouds surround the windows, not only providing a visually striking contrast but also serving to frame and accentuate the views of the exterior. 

Sustainability

A light external colour palette, robust insulation and tinted double glazing all provide resilience to the extremities of Western Sydney’s climate, and the exposed location. Deep window shrouds and awnings, as well as the covered alfresco to the north, assist in keeping heat of the glazing. The light-coloured roof also houses an array of solar panels, and EV charging capabilities have been provided in the café carpark.

Outcomes

This quaint but striking development has succeeded in becoming a defining landmark in the wider logistics park. It has become a point of interest and a retreat for warehouse and business workers alike in the surrounding area. The warm aesthetic of natural timbers and dark contrasting window shrouds has begun to extend to the office annexes of the surrounding warehouses to create a coherent feel to the logistics park development. Along with native landscaping Horsley Park Office and Cafe are a feat in softening would otherwise be a hard industrial landscape.

Team: Maryanne Daher, Emma Schagen Hannah Lupton, Craig Yeaman and Maggie Steele.

Client: ESR Australia

Builder: Impression Projects

Location: Dharug / Gundungurra Country | Horsley Park, NSW