Inspiration can sometimes spring from surprising places – and for the vibrant fit-out for the new Ultimate Security headquarters in Sydney’s Concord, it came from a Milliken carpet sample. The brief to interior design studio Inspired Spaces was to create an open-plan workplace to serve the company both now and in the future, with additional space that would be attractive as a leasing destination and allow for expansion.

“When researching carpet options, I happened upon the Creo range by Milliken and the key account manager, Glenda Cathersides, provided samples,” reveals Robyn Hawke, founder of Inspired Spaces. “Once I saw these samples, I had to use the product! From this, the rest of the colour palette was devised.”

This confident approach is typical of Hawke’s work – and her personality. At the age of 43, she took the bold decision to give up a 20-year career as a high-school teacher in design to pursue full-time study at the Nepean Design Centre, and she launched Inspired Spaces in 2005. Today, she has a host of celebrated projects in her portfolio and is a member of numerous professional organisations, including the Design Institute of Australia and the Colour Society of Australia.

Alongside the Creo range, Hawke also specified Milliken’s Major Frequency: One collection, which creates a sophisticated and textured neutral backdrop throughout the base build for the bold pops of colour and pattern that Creo provides in the fluid circular zones.

Milliken’s Creo range evokes the famous street art of Brazil and – in keeping with the company’s focus on giving designers choices that allow them to express themselves – is offered in three colourways and three pattern families. Hawke was inspired by the warm focal tones and powerfully dynamic secondary shades of the Sao Paulo colourway, and the painterly strokes of the Rua Field and Beco Field patterns.

The result is a visually exciting scheme across the 2,000-square-metre space, elevated through a bold approach to colour. The monochromatic backdrop – think greys and whites offset by graphic black crittal-style window frames and shelving for verdant greenery – comes to life through pops of warm oranges, yellow, and reds that echo the colours in the Milliken carpet.

“The colour palette of the Creo collection created a sense of joy and happiness, and relieved the expanse of the base colour that was used to anchor the rest of the design components,” says Hawke. “Luckily, our client put their trust in us and allowed us to push boundaries and explore something that was not considered safe.”

The colour palette complements the interior concept, which is based on the idea of “dynamic connections”. This was achieved through an organic scheme that embraces fluid, circular forms – from the circular shapes in the flooring to subtle privacy decals on glazing in the offices, and the generously rounded furniture.

The carpet’s circular areas also create functional zones within the open-plan workplace. Take, for example, the meeting space pods that sit atop of the patterned carpet, or the way these patterned insertions in the floor plane connect the executive spaces to the open workstation areas. “It provides a visual connection between all parties and suggests that the manager is approachable,” explains Hawke.

Where these circles of Creo Rua Field and Creo Beco Field carpet precisely intersect the expanse of Milliken’s Major Frequency: One grey-toned carpet and light timber flooring, it was essential to achieve a clean, refined finish. “We relied on recommendations by Milliken to find an installer,” reveals Hawke.

Beyond its visual appeal and essential role in zoning, it is what dwells within the Milliken carpet that offers a comfortable and ultimately productive environment for the people who use it. The standard WellBAC® cushion-backed carpet absorbs a high percentage of ambient sound, acting as an acoustic solution for the open-plan workplace, and effectively helping to avoid noise transfer between different areas.

Layered into the Milliken carpet is also its respect for the environment and the impressive green credentials it brings to the table. Like all Milliken floor coverings, the Creo and Major Frequency: One collections are carbon neutral as part of the brand’s pioneering M/PACT™ Carbon Neutral Program.

All in all says Hawke, “we had amazing service and experience from Milliken.” Hawke credits the Milliken creative and technical teams whose “fantastic” and responsive engagement allowed Hawke and her team to define the layout and seaming diagrams without complication. “I cannot recommend Milliken enough!” she says.

Milliken Floors
millikenfloors.com.au

Inspired Spaces
inspiredspaces.com.au

Photography – Sebastian Mrugalski