Akesa Pharma by PTID is the prowess of liaising global pharma research with local innovation and investment within a heritage envelope. 

Akesa Pharma provides globally leading services in the niche delivery of pharmaceutical products for clinical trials. 

PTID made sure this workplace remained the physical embodiment of their confidence in Melbourne’s place in the world of big pharma. 

The project marked an investment in the regeneration of heritage space and repurposing for a human-centred, technology-driven future. 

The project took a different direction from most as the Flinders Lane building is owned by Akesa. 

This was not only an expression of their business but also the manifestation of Akesa’s passion for excellence and going the extra mile to achieve a unique outcome. 

“To this end, we worked closely with the Akesa team with early discovery work on-site to strip years of neglect and peel away layers of previous ownership – after this, could we begin to express the early machine age architecture by the revealing of structure, services and external envelope and its heritage,” says PTID senior designer Emily Carter.

The concept brings together the best of global and local – mixing and reinterpreting forms, materiality and crisp, neutral palette and heritage to create a blended aesthetic with a narrow footprint. 

The practice created a unique on-brand experience in order to make the Akesa team, local and global clients and industry partners want to connect physically and virtually. 

The authentic respect for the heritage envelope is evident through the careful insertion of the contemporary workplace without distracting from its original form. 

Photography: Cheyne Toomey

Read more about how Oborozuki by Giant Design brings Japanese flair Down Under.