The Interior Spatial Dramatics and Varied Materiality of Bates Smart

Bates Smart receives an award for Constitution Place in the Interior Architecture category. Bates Smart’s skilful control of this large and complex work is evidenced in its serene functionality contrasted by excitement in the interior spatial dramatics and the rich and varied materiality.

The office accommodation for ACT Government incorporates a central atrium based on three circles, referencing the Griffins’ Plan. Functionally, the atrium provides natural light far into the interiors, and importantly also hosts social spaces, direct walkable bridges and stairs, and the essential ingredient ‘x’, of spatial excitement.

Office spaces are varied and open to capture external views, are bright with reflected light, use perforated screens to provide privacy where necessary and discrete panelling to ensure a comfortable acoustic.

The ground floor is publicly accessible and in these times of often overt security, is refreshingly designed to promote the openness and transparency of government. The public spaces are conceived in variety, scale, and detail to provide a friendly and accessible door to government.

The hotel and commercial building properly-assumes a more sophisticated design response and material palette. However, the ongoing project theme of interior spatial drama and control exemplifies deft and sensitive design vision.