Case study: Kernel Property

Kernel Property, based in Sydney, sources premises and manages commercial office fit-outs for tenants. With an extensive track record of working for national law firms, Kernel has witnessed the legal sector in Australia slowly but surely adapt its workplaces to become more open and collaborative.

Paul Mead, co-founder of Kernel, explained the importance of the company’s own workspace in providing his team with an inspiring place to work and also demonstrating to clients the possibilities of alternative thinking in workplace design.

“We wanted a signature place that would inspire everyone who walked in. Our space tells our clients who we are and what we stand for. We have created the most flexible space possible. Our monitors are mounted to a cable tray connected to a four-wheel drive winch that, at the press of a button, raises to the ceiling. Our desks fold up, allowing us to fit 80 people seated for seminar events and more for more social events. With a view over the harbour and balcony, we often lend the space out to charities and associations for events.

“We have proactively used as many recycled materials as possible, be it old scaffolding boards, off-cuts of steel, unwanted light fittings or furniture. We encourage our clients to recognise the value in the materials they already have and reuse what they can in their new premises. This reduces the cost of the fit-out and helps reduce the volume of material waste going to landfill.”