Building One completes the trilogy of reception refurbishments at Exchange Quay. As the final structure built on the campus, its architectural language gently departs from its neighbours, offering a quieter, less overtly Americanised take on late-80s curtain walled architecture.

The reception adopts a more mature, crafted approach, tailored to suit its corporate tenants. Acting as both a welcome and a waypoint, the space forms a prominent frontage to the campus, elevating the arrival experience from the very first step inside.

The design was guided by circular principles: existing floor finishes, ceilings, and the reception desk were all retained and reimagined through refurbishment, making good, re-cladding, and detailing. This not only demonstrated material responsibility but allowed the budget to be invested where it counted — in light, texture, and atmosphere.

A warm timber palette wraps the internal elevations, referencing both the site’s maritime heritage and the timber-lined interiors of traditional ships. This thread is subtly echoed in a rope manifestation. Vertical timber detailing speaks to the strong architectural lines of the campus, while introducing a softness and tactility to the interior.

Above, a square slimline luminaire shifts its tone throughout the day – moving from warm sunlight to cooler hues, as though clouds were drifting overhead. The effect is subtle and serene, quietly transforming the feel of the space across time.

Other interventions include a refined update to building signage, illuminated level markers, and directional graphics, all delivered in a visual language that aligns with the wider campus brand, allowing material and mood to take the lead.