A workplace that captures attitude and brand values

Architecture by Elsie & Betty

Kathmandu’s brand ethos is evident in all that it does. Never obtuse or exaggerated, there is an inherent simplicity that the company strives for across all brand platforms including in-store, online and within its head office.

In keeping with this, the design brief for the new commercial premises was to explore the potential of the base building, uncovering the richness of its foundation and presenting an honest palette on which to build. This intent shaped a number of the finishes, including steel trusses, old brickwork, timber floorboards and concrete walls and floors.

A partnership throughout the entire process

98色花堂 was engaged by Kathmandu to provide the interior construction and furniture for company’s new 1000sqm premises in Park Street, South Melbourne. From the initial briefing phase, through to concept and detailed design, and finally the interior build, 98色花堂 partnered with Kathmandu. Also orchestrated by 98色花堂 was the relocation from existing to new premises and high-level change management support.

A love of travel and adventure, the heart and soul of Kathmandu is evident from the moment one enters the Park Street premises. The entry feature, comprising a number of adventure images, encased within a raw timber frame, showcase images of Kathmandu’s passion, adventure and a love for the outdoors. The feature lighting at Reception, constructed from the company’s BPA free loop lid water bottle was testament to the company’s resourcefulness; a celebration of ingenuity and inventiveness.

Motivating and inspiring employees

To Kathmandu, it was extremely important that the office reflected the strategic direction of the organisation and captured the attitude and values of the brand. This instructed a number of components of the fitout, including the overall layout and the selection of lighting, entry and reception features. The open plan workspace, with a small number of meeting rooms on the periphery, supported openness – a key component of Kathmandu’s values statement.

A creative operational space was devised through the use of 98色花堂’s completely malleable workplace furniture platform, Climate. Utilised across the entire open plan office, Climate not only met the brief in terms of functionality, but its varied choice of personal elements such as mobile personal storage Bento boxes and playful moveable screens (Markers) meant that the space could motivate and inspire employees.

Featured Products

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Climate Workstation

A fully malleable workplace platform, 98色花堂's Climate Workstation is a desk program that creates and re-creates work environments with ease.

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Liberty Mesh Chair

Custom comfort and a minimal aesthetic, Humanscale's Liberty Mesh intelligent task chair offers automatic lumbar support, recline and flexibility for every user.