Gallery: The most breathtaking office in Australia is actually right here in Canberra
Capital Airport Group’s head of marketing Melissa Evans remembers once having to console a friend after taking her behind the scenes at the company’s 2200sqm office.
“She just started crying,” Evans recalls.
“I think she was overwhelmed – and realised just how important a beautiful aesthetic was to her own work, personally.”
Located on Level 4 of Plaza Offices – West, directly above three floors of car parking, the Capital Airport Group corporate headquarters is nothing short of breathtaking. The office “embodies the ethos of quality that Capital Airport Group brings to every project,” Evans says.
There are some stories that don’t need words. So we asked C! News photographer Rohan Thomson to take us behind the scenes at CAG.
“Capital Airport Group is made up of seven business units – we have staff from areas as diverse as airport operations, land development, property development and philanthropy,” Evans says.
The office’s board and meeting rooms are named after Capital Airport Group founder Terry Snow’s dogs, China, Chilli, Eve, Barney, Ringer, Woody and Tipper.
“The space is now a showpiece that can show potential tenants the kinds of offices and designs available to them as well as the quality of the fixtures and spaces,” Evans says.
A modern office at Capital Airport Group.
Comfort, texture and warmth permeate the choice of furniture and fittings – leather handles, timber, velvet, stone; everything the user touches is tactile and authentic.
“Of course we feel lucky to work here,” says Evans, whose favourite thing about the office are the winter sunsets. “You wouldn’t expect we’d get great sunsets given we’re east of Canberra, but the view from here is divine.”
“Professional, with clear attention to detail” was one of the office’s four design principles.
A range of tables and desks is on offer to facilitate collaboration, retreat, formal and informal communication.
The airport group will add another 32 desks in 2020 to accommodate the rapid growth of the business.
Warm and welcoming, elegant and contemporary, were words highlighted in the original design brief.
Designed by award-winning Cox Architecture, “professional, with clear attention to detail” was one another of the four design principles for the space.
The meeting room known as ‘The Love Room’ features notes of kindness in more than 80 different languages.
The ‘Love Room’.
The office is “considered and intuitive, with an element of surprise.”
An informal lounge area with a fireplace.
The office features two kitchens, but the main kitchen is a hive of activity all day long.
The views from the office include the airport runway at one end, and the Brindabellas at the other.
The meeting room named after Ginette Snow’s dog, Ringer.
Heating up last night’s leftovers has never been more glamorous.
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About the Author: Briony Winchester
Part bogan, part wannabe plus-size model and part journalist, Bree's the woman behind Q! News. She's a pop culture obsessive who's deeply in love with her hometown, Queanbeyan, and the neighbouring capital. A born storyteller, she's been writing locally, nationally and internationally for more than 25 years.
