The Boot Factory

Constructed in 1892, The Boot Factory is a rare surviving example of Victorian industrial architecture in Bondi Junction. Vacant since 2007, it was restored and repurposed by Archer Office and Waverley Council after strong community support to preserve the site.

Sculptform brought this vision to life through a customised ceiling and soffit solution. The natural warmth and precision of Australian timber complement the existing brick, concrete, and steel, creating interiors that feel both grounded in heritage and unmistakably modern. The result is a space where history and innovation coexist seamlessly.

Product
Click-on Battens

Materials
Timber

Applications
Feature Ceiling and Soffit

Sector
Commercial

Architect
Archer Office

Developer
Lloyd Group Pty Ltd

Location
Sydney, Australia

Completion
2024

Photographer
Murray Fredericks, Peter Bennetts, Hamish McIntosh

Precision Detailing with Click-on Battens

Every element within the Boot Factory was carefully considered to balance heritage character with contemporary craftsmanship. For the ceilings and soffits, this meant introducing a timber feature that could deliver precision and warmth.

Sculptform’s timber Click-on Battens were chosen for their ability to soften the industrial framework and create visual continuity throughout the space. The battens add a layer of calm cohesion, uniting the heritage shell with its renewed civic identity.

The internal feature ceiling was created using 40mmx19mm battens spaced at 30mm gaps, creating a defined linear rhythm across the workspace. Externally, the soffit continues with same size battens, ensuring a seamless visual transition from inside to out. Random-length battens, combined with end-matching joiners, were used to maintain a continuous, uninterrupted surface without visible fixings or breaks. The result is a refined, cohesive timber expression that flows naturally, reinforcing the building’s architectural rhythm.

Acoustic Timber Ceilings

Across the internal workspace, acoustic backing was integrated behind the timber battens to enhance both comfort and clarity. The acoustic system is designed to achieve optimal sound absorption while maintaining a refined visual rhythm. This concealed layer softens ambient noise and controls reverberation, ensuring the spaces remain calm, functional, and conducive to focus and collaboration.

The result is a ceiling that performs as beautifully as it looks, delivering a seamless blend of acoustic performance, visual warmth, and crafted precision.

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Seamless Ceiling to Soffit Transition

The Boot Factory’s ceiling and soffit design creates a smooth, uninterrupted dialogue between interior and exterior spaces.

Inside, a raked feature ceiling aligns with the building’s geometry, drawing the eye upward and introducing softness against the exposed concrete and brick framework. As the ceiling extends outward, the timber language continues seamlessly into the external soffit, where a batten-lined translucent canopy filters natural light and reinforces material continuity. This careful alignment of internal and external battens, along with concealed fixings and consistent spacing, ensures a flawless transition across changing planes and angles.

The result is a unified, visually refined surface that connects the heart of the workspace to the outer terrace, enhancing both spatial flow and architectural rhythm.

A Celebrated Outcome

The Boot Factory’s transformation has been widely recognised across the architecture and design community, receiving honours including:

These accolades celebrate not only the architectural achievement but also the craftsmanship and collaboration that made the renewal possible.

A Legacy Reborn

Today, the Boot Factory stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, craftsmanship, and adaptive design. Sculptform’s timber detailing plays a key role in transforming the once-forgotten building into a vibrant hub for creativity and community connection.

Recognised with multiple accolades, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design and material innovation can revive heritage spaces for the future.

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The Architect's Guide to Designing with Timber Externally

A comprehensive guide to understanding, specifying, and designing with timber in external applications.

Heritage Reimagined Through Timber Design

Constructed in 1892, The Boot Factory is a rare surviving example of Victorian industrial architecture in Bondi Junction. Vacant since 2007, it was restored and repurposed by Archer Office and Waverley Council after strong community support to preserve the site.

ProductClick-on BattensMaterialsTimber

ApplicationsFeature Ceiling and Soffit

SectorCommercial

ArchitectArcher Office DeveloperLloyd Group Pty Ltd

LocationSydney, Australia

Completion2024

PhotographerMurray Fredericks, Peter Bennetts, Hamish McIntosh

Precision Detailing with Click-on Battens

Acoustic Timber Ceilings

Seamless Ceiling to Soffit Transition

A Celebrated Outcome

A Legacy Reborn

Product Specifications

Feature Ceiling and Soffit

Product

Material

Species

Profile

Coating

Acoustic Backing

Mounting Track

Free Download

The Architect's Guide to Designing with Timber Externally

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