FB Rice, Sydney

New, distinguished hybrid workplace to transform the Sydney office experience

After successfully delivering their Brisbane office, leading Australian and New Zealand intellectual property firm FB Rice partnered once again with Unispace to manage the design, construction and change management of their new Sydney workplace.

With an upcoming lease expiry, and the fitout no longer meeting the evolving needs of their business, FB Rice appointed Unispace to undertake comprehensive due diligence for a new location. This allowed FB Rice to make informed, data-driven decisions, showing how each space would work for both the business and its people.

Following this, FB Rice secured a new lease in Sydney's Deutsche Bank Place: an iconic Premium Grade tower at 126 Phillip Street.

The new office, and its prime location, enables FB Rice to re-energise employees and encourage in-office collaboration. The distinguished front of house space was also designed to enhance the experience for long-standing partners and clients.

Designing a seamless transition to hybrid work

To support a smooth transition to their new Sydney space and hybrid ways of working, the Unispace team ran stakeholder workshops that shaped change communications before and after the move. A custom change narrative was developed with FB Rice’s leadership team, and co-created workplace guidelines encouraged employee engagement and uptake.

Building on the FB Rice Brisbane Workplace Strategy, the approach was refined to reflect Sydney’s context. Guided by five core pillars (communal and connection, hybrid working, client experience, acoustics, and nurturing) the design carefully maintains a balance between open and private zones to suit employee needs.

FB Rice's new office leverages uninterrupted eastern views, bringing natural light and a visual connection to the outside for every corner of the space. The Level 29 breakout has sweeping views of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Harbour, highlighting the changing topography. A calm, neutral palette with timber tones and layered patterned finishes mirrors the local landscape.

Reception was strategically designed to maximise sightlines from the lift lobby, offering a strong first impression. Soft finishes and wall-washing lighting enhance the space's warmth and professionalism, while a feature artwork adds a unique touch.

Leading in from reception, the curated front of house area features a flexible layout with both a boardroom and ample informal meeting spaces that can transform into a town hall, an event space, or a kitchen breakout. This adaptability creates a welcoming, multifunctional environment catering to client and team needs; all enhanced by ample natural light.

The open plan back of house features a 1:1 seating ratio, collaboration spaces, and acoustic considerations to avoid noise transfer and allow for a more harmonious working environment. Technology integration supports plug-and-play functionality across offices, providing further flexibility for staff. 

Delivered on budget and nine days ahead of schedule

Sustainability was a key consideration for FB Rice and was prioritised by the Unispace team throughout the project. This resulted in 82% of demolition waste recycled. Additionally, water-saving measures were taken, including the installation of a Washbox onsite throughout construction, which saved an incredible 1,672 litres of water.

Delivered on budget and nine days ahead of schedule, the project's success was driven by strong stakeholder collaboration and effective change management. The result is a highly functional, engaging workplace that supports employees and leaves a lasting impression on clients, topped off with a 10/10 client satisfaction score.