Australia. A tiles composition designs the facade of an open office

Raffaello Rosselli collaborated with Luigi Rosselli architects to design their new office building in Surry Hills, Australia. The project started with the study of material waste streams looking for an appropriate object for a brise-soleil to filter the harsh western sun that the main façade faces. The terracotta tile, an overlooked symbol of suburbia, was chosen as it is easily sourced and without an adequate reuse market.

In response to an object which was geometrically complex, the facade design was largely conceived through multiple full scale tests and hand built prototypes. This opened up an intuitive form of designing through making. The tactility of the process allowed rapid prototyping, including experimenting with multiple tile course types. The building’s form responds to the neighbouring setbacks and heights. Challenging the generic and often alienating nature of open plan office buildings, the design sought to provide an active but intimate environment with multiple working positions offered by custom-built joinery. On the top floor, a communal garden terrace offers a point of release to work in the sunshine, hold community events or relax after a long day.