Soft Grey Stone tiles offer Hall & Wilcox clients a warm and intimate welcome
Hall & Wilcox’s new Melbourne workplace demonstrates how thoughtful material selection and a forward-thinking, people-focused design creates a high performing and welcoming space. Designed by Unispace and located within the historic Queen & Collins precinct, the fitout embraces the heritage building and client values while supporting a contemporary space that’s flexible and employee centric.
Having outgrown its previous workplace, Hall & Wilcox sought a new space to better support its employees while aligning to its culture. The Queen & Collins site offered a rich history and vibrant amenities, including diverse food and beverage outlets, event spaces and flexible meeting areas. The additional third spaces allow the firm to accommodate peak meetings and events without expanding its built environment.
Spanning four levels, the fitout has been carefully planned to foster connection across the workplace. An intertenancy staircase links all four floors, encouraging movement, interaction and collaboration. While one floor is dedicated to front of house functions, the remaining three support back of house operations.
Throughout the space, materials, textures and colours are thoughtfully layered to create movement and contrast. Elements inspired by the surrounding streetscape, including pavers and local textures, establish an engaging atmosphere, while the careful balance of light and dark materials assists with wayfinding and space delineation.
The design centres on the human experience by creating distinct atmospheres across different zones. Work areas are bright and neutral, complemented by colourful furniture and lighting to support focus and energy, allowing employees to select settings suited to their tastes and preferences. Client and social spaces adopt a moodier palette, enhancing warmth and intimacy. Soft Grey Stone tiles by Robertson’s Building Products play an important role within these client and social spaces, bringing a beautifully tactile finish that complements the rich palette and reinforces the welcoming character of the interiors.
Rich tones and layered textures reference the area’s history, while organic furniture forms and bespoke joinery reinforce Hall & Wilcox’s identity as a forward-thinking firm. Art also plays a central role, reflecting the firm’s longstanding commitment to supporting emerging Australian artists through its Art Exhibition and Acquisition Program. Gallery walls, a gallery hanging rail system and custom art lighting integrate artworks into the everyday workplace experience.
Sustainability and wellness are a key focus, the new workplace targeting a Green Star 6 Star rating, demonstrating outstanding environmental design and operational efficiency, alongside WELL Platinum certification (the highest level of WELL certification) reflecting Hall & Wilcox’s commitment to environmental responsibility and holistic employee wellbeing.
The project received a Silver award at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards – Corporate category and was a Finalist in the 2025 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) in the Over 1,000sqm Workplace category.
Architect: Unispace
Product: Soft Grey Stone tiles
Builder: FDC Building
Tiler: MJC Tiling
Photography: Peter Clarke
