Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios

Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - BeamBirkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Wood, Table, Brick, Chair, Facade, Arch, BeamBirkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Table, Chair, BeamBirkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Image 5 of 41Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - More Images+ 36

Clifton Hill, Australia
  • Client: Birkenstock Australia
  • Design Collaborator For Shop Furniture/Fitout: Cibi
  • Structural/Civil: Hive Engineering
  • Energy & Daylight Modelling, Mechanical Engineering: The Green Factory
  • City: Clifton Hill
  • Country: Australia
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Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Facade, Column, Beam
© Peter Clarke

Text description provided by the architects. The multi-award-winning design succinctly translates the brand’s core values into a spatial experience, intuitively illustrating Birkenstock’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality, to health and sustainability. The warm and contemporary design, with a hip feel and an holistic approach to sustainability, results in enjoyable spaces for both workers and customers.

Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Wood, Table, Brick, Chair, Facade, Arch, Beam
© Peter Clarke

The scope 
The run-down heritage building was brought back to its former glory, extended and complemented by a contemporary fitout. The new headquarters consist of wholesale offices, workshop, courtyard, retail space, online store, and a warehouse with newly inserted Mezzanine storey as wholesale showroom.

Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Table, Chair, Beam
© Peter Clarke
Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Table, Chair, Beam
© Peter Clarke

The Concept 
The layout allows for spontaneous staff encounters, unifying different departments into one company culture through the design. A new central core connects, with staff amenities as meeting points between the levels. The shopfront becomes a single point of entrance, so all staff experience the 'front end', where shoe meets customer.

Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Brick, Windows, Beam
© Peter Clarke

Architecture follows values 
Birkenstocks are natural, handcrafted, healthy shoes. This is reflected in the design; from concept to detail, the HQ promotes a healthy lifestyle / workplace. Both natural materials and nature itself form an integral part of the design.

Plan 2

Healthy, Natural, Sustainable 
Carefully selected greenery is built into the sustainable design, working as 'air-purifiers' throughout : Remaining emissions / offgasing from low VOC materials get filtered and cleansed by the planting.

Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios - Windows, Door, Facade
© Peter Clarke

An element of surprise 
Traditional materials/elements are put into new context : The shopfront uses natural grass for flooring, plants are replacing office screen partitions, plywood forms a complete interior covering all surfaces in some areas, and a ‘homely’ fireplace invites customers to relax at the tea bar within the shop.

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Project location

Address:Clifton Hill VIC 3068, Australia

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Birkenstock Australia / Melbourne Design Studios" 20 Oct 2016. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/797672/birkenstock-australia-mds> ISSN 0719-8884

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