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When international law firm Ashurst set out to revitalise their Perth office, they envisioned a workplace that would embrace agility, support future growth, and reflect their reputation for global excellence—while also responding to the specific needs of their Western Australian team.
Ashurst's Perth Office was facing a declining office utilisation rate, outdated dark interiors, and a shortage of desks and collaboration areas, all within a space they didn’t want to leave. With growth on the horizon, they needed to modernise their fitout, improve space efficiency, and upgrade old solid wood furniture without creating waste. They also required a staged approach to minimise disruption, ensuring business continuity while transforming their workplace.
Axiom Workplaces was engaged to lead the transformation, providing a solution to Ashurst's problems by delivering a flexible, human-centric workplace designed to evolve with the organisation—integrating strategy, design and construction to create a cohesive, future-ready environment.
Brookfield Place Perth – Tower 2
Situated in the heart of Perth’s CBD, 123 St Georges Terrace is a premium-grade commercial tower that exemplifies high-performance sustainability and workplace excellence.
Sustainability Highlights
Premium Facilities
Ashurst’s Perth team played a central role in shaping the design approach. Engaging internal stakeholders from the outset, Axiom developed a plan that aligned with both local workstreams and global workplace principles.
Key spatial outcomes included:
· Conversion from 116 fixed desks to 138 agile work points.
· Dedicated collaboration areas, quiet rooms, private booths, and enclosed team rooms.
· A retreat and first-aid / parents room supporting staff wellness needs.
· Uninterrupted views of the Swan River and Perth skyline, enhancing connectivity by removing all perimeter offices.
The result is a layout that supports deep focus, dynamic teamwork, and future flexibility—wrapped in a calming, textural material palette that respects and layers with the existing fitout.
Sustainability was a key design opportunity of the Ashurst Perth fitout. A circular solution reduced waste and landfill imapcts, extended the life of high-quality furnishings, and generated positive community outcomes. In collaboration with FF3 (Furniture for Good), the project achieved measurable environmental and social impacts.
See below left to right: The FF3 removalist team transporting Ashurst furniture ready for reuse at the chosen charities and The FF3 founding team who have been in operation for 12 months and already supported enormous diversion from landfill, proving that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand
Resource Recovery & Landfill Diversion
644 items audited, totaling 211 cubic meters
87.5% of items (by weight) diverted from landfill:
- 312 reused
- 188 rehomed
- 118 recycled
- Only 26 items went to landfill
Environmental Impact
Community Contributions
Surplus items were donated to two local charities:
SecondBite – supporting food redistribution efforts
People Who Care – helping furnish homes for people transitioning from crisis situations
Donated items included:
Workstations, tables, seating, storage, and equipment
Emissions Offsetting
525 km of transport generated 280 kg CO₂e
100% offset through Carbon Positive Australia by planting native trees
A cost-effective, low-impact fitout that delivered:
Reduced carbon emissions
Extended product lifespan
Strong support for local communities
Certification and reporting via FF3’s outcomes framework
This approach allowed Ashurst to reduce costs, lower their carbon footprint, and support community benefit—proving that design excellence and social impact can go hand in hand.
Delivering a full refurbishment in a live legal office required meticulous planning. The build was staged over two phases to allow business continuity throughout.
Construction highlights:
Outcome: A Future-Ready Legal Environment
Ashurst’s new Perth office is a highly functional, sustainable, and flexible workplace that responds to the needs of its people today—and is ready for the firm’s growth tomorrow. It reflects Ashurst’s brand, culture, and commitment to responsible leadership.
Net Promoter Score: 10/10
"Ashurst had a really good experience working with Axiom, I like the work they did. I like how they organised their team and what I've seen of other projects they have completed.”
Photos taken by DMax Photography
The Design
The key design themes - Authentic, Inquisitive, Engaging - serve as the foundation for the transformative design elements implemented in this workspace. The hospitality aspects of PIP's Sydney office fitout underscore the organisation's commitment to creating a welcoming and inspiring environment where employees can socialize and work harmoniously with their coworkers. By driving purpose and innovation through colocation, PIP leverages its office design to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence.
The new workspace embraces the principles of biophilia, and the integration of lush greenery and natural elements. Not only did this beautify the outdoor space but also significantly expanded the breakout and function areas, creating a harmonious connection with nature.
Furthermore, strategic changes in floor finishes have been carefully curated to guide visual pathways throughout the workspace, enhancing the flow and functionality of the environment. The emphasis on natural light not only benefits the well-being of the staff but also adds a sense of warmth and vitality to the space, with the built environment thoughtfully positioned against solid walls to optimize exposure.
In addition, the inclusion of a wellness space, equipped with amenities such as a fridge and an occasional armchair, caters to the diverse needs of the employees, providing a dedicated area for activities like prayer, meditation, and relaxation. The arrivals area has been thoughtfully designed to exude a sense of welcome and inclusivity, achieved through strategic zoning and the selective use of timber ceiling panels upon entry, setting the tone for a positive and inviting work environment.
The Outcome
Axiom truly excelled in maximizing the functionality of the limited floor space available through innovative and thoughtful space planning techniques. By incorporating softer curves and angles into the design, they were able to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall aesthetic, balancing out the building's rectilinear structure. This design choice not only enhanced the visual appeal but also helped to clearly define the different areas within the workspace, from open workspaces to meeting rooms and breakout areas, using a clever combination of colours and textures.
Moreover, the creation of a versatile collaborative zone in the breakout space showcased Axiom's commitment to creating dynamic and multifunctional work environments. This space not only served as a town hall or presentation area but also doubled as a communal meal space, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among employees. Its strategic location near the large balcony further enhanced its functionality, allowing for seamless transitions between indoor meetings and outdoor gatherings, ultimately promoting the social well-being and connectivity of the staff. Axiom's attention to detail and focus on creating spaces that cater to both practical needs and social interactions truly set them apart in the world of design.