Ferguson Design Studio was established in 2004 by Angela Ferguson, with a vision to pursue atypical and innovative interior design solutions. The studio has grown to include Associate Lisa Dinham and ESD Leader Karen Garrett. FDS pride themselves on being flexible, creative and practical. The Studio combines the expertise of a large firm with a ‘hands on’, detail focused approach. Their diverse projects include display suites at MCentral Residential development, a museum for Qantas, child care centres, corporate office interiors, as well as furniture design, all varying in design quirkiness, style and budget. Recently, FDS jointly with futurespace won the Google Australian Headquarters.

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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
Woodhead’s design approach features a universal plan providing consistent work spaces that allow the ATO staff to move through the office spaces easily and comfortably. The concept uses the built environment to encourage communication and interaction within the ATO. Concepts of urban planning underpin the design philosophy of the ATO’s new corporate headquarters. Notions of streets, lanes, interconnections and town squares drove the language and forms of the overall design.

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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
Our big idea was to make a fun and an exciting place to work, flexible yet expandable. It seemed unnecessary to fill the space with empty workstations, so a modular philosophy was devised whereby an “ibox” meeting room or pods of workstations could be inserted and adapted to a four meter by four meter area. To control noise levels in the open glass meeting rooms, acoustic panels were used that were flocked in the selected colour then concealed in the existing ceiling tiles. This solution added texture, fun and acoustic properties.
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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
Our client, MGI Whitehancock, saw the relocation of their office as an opportunity to create a fresh image for their firm. The resulting design was a quantum leap.
Workstations were designed in an open plan format, low screen heights promoting collaboration and communication within teams. The partners’ offices were designed to adjoin their staff sitting at a workstation so breaking down any perception of barriers. A large communal break out facility opening out onto a balcony was a key element in the overall design. We designed this area as a café/restaurant with a focus on relaxation to promote informal communication through all levels of the firm.
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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
The brief included the separation between client business and office; this was achieved by creating a ‘front of house’ and ‘back of house’ scenario. The client also wanted an open plan office with acoustic privacy and natural light. This was achieved by separating all offices with glass walls allowing natural light to penetrate and noise levels to be reduced. With the addition of large sliding glass doors that open into a four meter wide, well lit ‘central hub’ the open plan feel was complete.
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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
The Big Idea evolved from our first visit to BCM, where images of their work were displayed .We used elements of the BCM identity throughout the space, but in ways that allowed it to be playful rather than decorative so the element of liveliness has come to define the fit out. The orange of the two BCM dots either side of the atrium entry act as a portal to the BCM experience and the BCM alphabet artwork acts as a brain tease and a reflection of the creative forces alive within the office.
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What is the ‘big (IDEA)’ behind this project?
Interchange was born from the idea that the atmosphere and vibes of an interchange centre stimulate creativity. Our concept was based on a synergy of ideas whereby the combination is greater than the sum of the individual parts. We looked at a tube map as a metaphor for thought processes. We saw the hubs as points where thoughts connect and ideas generate. The brief was to provide inspirational breakout lounges & amenities to encourage a collective sharing of ideas. The studio space planning, environmental branding, directional signage and colour coding all play along with this metaphor.
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