Sydney Animation Studio

Our transformation of this Sydney Animation Studio was driven by a strategic vision to embed a unified, global studio identity into an existing, highly regarded creative environment. Following a major industry transition, the goal was to evolve the studio into a space that reflects a cohesive brand while supporting the immediate operational and cultural needs of the animation team.

Located in Moore Park, the studio comprises multiple interconnected spaces developed over time. While functional, these spaces lacked a consistent identity aligned with the evolving needs of a growing team.

This project focused on reimagining key areas of the studio to unify the workplace experience, enhance functionality, and create a seamless expression of the studio’s brand and creative culture.

The Strategy

Prior to design and construction, the project team worked closely with stakeholders to identify critical priorities required to support both immediate operations and long-term growth.

Key focus areas included:

• Establishing a strong and consistent studio brand presence
• Enhancing front-of-house experience for staff and visitors
• Supporting a steady-state workforce of approximately 175 employees
• Improving functionality of shared spaces such as the café and meeting areas
• Delivering upgrades with minimal disruption to ongoing studio operations

These priorities informed a targeted upgrade strategy focused on high-impact zones, ensuring the studio could quickly align with its new identity while maintaining operational continuity.

Image Left: The Axiom Design Team created a digital render to illustrate the design concept.

Image Right: The professional photograph of the completed space.

The Objectives

The project was guided by three core objectives:

• Brand Integration & Identity

  Embed a cohesive studio identity across key touchpoints, creating a recognisable and unified environment.

• Functionality & Performance

  Upgrade critical spaces to better support daily operations, collaboration, and team wellbeing.

• Experience & Consistency

  Enhance the arrival and shared space experience through considered design, ensuring alignment across all front-facing and collaborative areas, core to Axiom’s workplace philosophy. 

The Design

The design approach focused on targeted, high-impact upgrades that would transform the look, feel, and functionality of key areas within the studio while respecting the existing infrastructure.

Key design features include:

• Front of House Rebranding
  Updated reception signage, café, and meeting rooms to reflect the studio identity, creating a strong and immediate brand presence.
• Full Café Upgrade
  A redesigned café space supporting a 175-person workforce, featuring a new servery, flexible seating areas, custom joinery bench seating, and integrated town hall functionality.
• Reception Enhancement
  Refreshed reception area with new furniture, lighting, accessories, and upgraded counters and corridors to create a more welcoming and cohesive arrival experience.
• Boardroom Upgrade
  A cosmetic refresh of the existing boardroom, maintaining its structure while elevating its aesthetic and functionality.
• Front of House Meeting Rooms (x4)
  Upgraded meeting rooms with new furniture, lighting, acoustic paneling, and curtains to improve comfort, performance, and visual consistency.

The overall design balances efficiency and identity, ensuring that each intervention contributes to a unified and elevated studio environment.

People and Culture Outcomes

The transformation has delivered immediate benefits to both staff and visitors:

• Stronger Brand Connection
  The integrated identity reinforces a sense of belonging within the studio.
• Enhanced Collaboration
  Improved shared spaces, particularly the café and meeting rooms, support interaction, informal collaboration, and team connectivity.
• Improved Daily Experience
  Upgraded environments contribute to a more comfortable, functional, and engaging workplace.
• Client & Visitor Experience
  A refreshed front-of-house creates a polished and professional journey aligned with a global standard.

Streamlined Construction & Delivery

Delivering the upgrades within an active animation studio required careful planning and coordination.

Key considerations included:

• Working within a live production environment with minimal disruption
• Coordinating staged upgrades across multiple interconnected spaces
• Aligning design and construction timelines with operational requirements

Through proactive planning and close collaboration with stakeholders, the project team successfully delivered the upgrades efficiently while maintaining business continuity.

Outcome: A Unified Studio Supporting Creative Excellence

The Sydney Animation Studio transformation delivers a cohesive, brand-aligned workplace that supports both creative production and team experience.

By focusing on strategic upgrades across key areas, the project successfully integrates a unified identity into the existing studio while enhancing functionality and day-to-day usability.

The result is a studio that not only meets immediate operational needs but also establishes a strong foundation for future growth, enabling teams to collaborate, create, and perform within an environment that reflects their creative excellence.