A former chocolate factory within Melbourne’s industrial sector of Huntingdale has been transformed into the inspiring new Head Quarters for Australia’s beloved breakfast and snack brand, Carman’s. A hub to welcome employees and consumers alike, the innovative design reinvents wellbeing within the workplace, while cultivating an environment that stimulates creativity and collaboration.
How is the project unique?
This was a particularly special brief and one that was close to the heart of Carman’s CEO, Carolyn Creswell. A cavernous chocolate factory in a light industrial pocket of Huntingdale, the opportunities seemed endless. It required creative balance and clear vision to see what the space could become, and how it could become a canvas for Carman's ethical and passionate approach to both the customer and staff experience. We worked with Carolyn to create an approachable space, a design that was more familiar in a residential setting. It was important for her to inject a ‘homely’ feel – a village for employees to feel comfortable and inspired.
What were the solutions?
Echoing the wholesome and nourishing soul of the brand, the 5000sqm state-of-the-art building is set across three levels, complete with a breezy outdoor conservatory that illuminates in the evenings, along with a communal landscaped garden and retreat to promote walking meetings with a side of Vitamin D. There’s also a contemporary, open-plan kitchen that provides a gathering space for staff, alongside eclectic storage solutions.
An array of existing spaces have been converted into a fully equipped gym, light-filled yoga studio, sleep retreat, phone booth, and ‘prep’ room where employees can relish in some quiet time or utilise hairdressing and beauty tools to freshen up. Meeting rooms are enclosed by glass in open spaces to achieve the ideal balance of privacy and transparency. A tactile material palette layered with lush greenery, local art pieces and a diverse collection of Carolyn’s personal interior touches reinforces this nod towards residential design, while black metal glazed partitions and exposed concrete flooring are contrastingly modern.
Welcoming Carman’s neighbours, the ground floor features a public retail offering and adjoining café, fit with a cascading ceiling plant installation that uniquely waterfalls from the first workspace level. This striking feature was made possible by carving an opening in the ceiling to create a connection between the offices above and the public space below. It was important to consider Carman’s relationship to its community throughout every step of the design process.
Who are the clients and what's interesting about them?
Carman’s was founded in 1992 by Carolyn Creswell. The then 18 year old first-year university student bought the small muesli business where she worked part-time for $1,000. At the time, they supplied a few cafes and delis around Melbourne. Fast-forward to present and Carman’s gourmet range is now available in all major supermarkets across Australia, as well as being exported to many countries around the world.
