A Future Ready Workspace for Ashurst Sydney

Ashurst’s new workplace at 39 Martin Place in Sydney represents a major step forward in how the firm supports its people and clients. Developed in partnership with MPA, the eight-floor environment reflects a clear ambition to create a flexible, sustainable, and future-ready legal workplace in one of Sydney’s most prominent locations. Michael Blitz, Ashurst’s Global Director of Workplace, described the outcome as the realisation of a long-held vision for a more collaborative and adaptable way of working.

Five of the floors are dedicated to day-to-day work and offer a wide mix of settings to support different tasks and working styles. Light-filled spaces include height-adjustable workstations, informal breakout areas, technology-enabled meeting rooms, quiet focus zones, and touchdown benches. Level 4 operates as a highly adaptable project and collaboration hub, with operable walls and flexible layouts that can shift as teams and priorities evolve. Internal staircases connect the floors, encouraging movement and strengthening cross-team connection.

Level 8 serves as the firm’s client floor, offering a refined and welcoming environment that elevates Ashurst’s professional presence. Boardrooms and event spaces can be reconfigured for different types of gatherings, and accessibility features such as hearing loops ensure an inclusive experience. One level above, a terrace and café provide a relaxed setting for informal meetings and social connections.

Acoustic performance was a key consideration in the design of the meeting rooms and focus rooms. EchoPanel® 12mm in colour 908 Cream, Pico Embossed Panel in colour 468 Vanilla, and Zen Embossed Panel in colours 454 Mushroom, 468 Vanilla, and 908 Cream were selected for their strong sound-absorbing properties and installed with detailed precision to achieve the highest possible NRC rating. An 18mm acoustic backing board was used behind the embossed products to further enhance performance. Most wall applications were mounted on split battens with air gaps behind the panels, a deliberate construction method that significantly improves acoustic absorption and ensures clarity and privacy in high-use spaces.

Sustainability was embedded throughout the project. The building operates entirely on renewable energy and holds a 6 Star Green Star rating and a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating. Environmental performance was actively monitored during construction, resulting in 96% of waste being diverted from landfill. The fit-out reflects the same commitment, with materials and processes chosen to minimise environmental impact.