The Yard Martin Place

Bringing play to the workplace

Commercial, Interiors, Workplace

The Yard is a new workplace design for Charter Hall, crafted to provide an alternative to the conventional office environment. Designed as a flexible hub for training and meetings, The Yard fosters collaboration and creativity in a setting that feels both familiar and inviting.
Location
Gadigal Country / Sydney CBD, NSW
Client
Charter Hall
Type
Commericial
Status
Complete
Year
2016
Builder
Shape
Photography
Simon Whitbread

The project presented the challenge of introducing a sense of playfulness and exploration within a corporate context. To achieve this, we drew on the idea of a backyard—a place where people naturally feel at ease and open to creativity. The Yard reflects this through thoughtful design elements that evoke a sense of comfort and simplicity.

The space features a “Shed” meeting room, enclosed by a garage door, with plywood benches that fold down from the walls and butcher’s paper for standing workshops. Moveable plywood cubbies create adaptable breakout areas, while hardwood decking and artificial grass subtly define zones, keeping the space open and versatile. Large sliding doors connect The Yard to the adjoining office and double as writable surfaces for group discussions.

The Yard was conceived as a retreat from the routine of office life—a place where people can gather, think differently, and explore ideas without pressure. Working closely with a hands-on client, we developed a training and meeting space that offers a fresh approach to workplace design, providing an environment that supports both focus and collaboration.

The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD

We drew on the idea of a backyard—a place where people naturally feel at ease and open to creativity

The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD
The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD

Moveable plywood cubbies create adaptable breakout areas

The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD

The space features a “Shed” meeting room, enclosed by a garage door, with plywood benches that fold down from the walls and butcher’s paper for standing workshops

The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD
The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD
The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD

A place where people can gather, think differently, and explore ideas without pressure

The Yard Martin Place Design, Sydney CBD
The Yard Workplace Design
The Yard Workplace Design
The Yard Workplace Design
The Yard Workplace Design