When Vicinity Centres set out to reimagine Chatswood Chase Sydney, the vision extended far beyond retail. The goal was to redefine what luxury feels like — to create a destination where craftsmanship, material integrity, and design innovation converge. As one of Australia’s most affluent and design-conscious markets, Chatswood deserved a new architectural language, one that celebrates experience, longevity, and the human touch.
This vision, captured in Vicinity’s mantra — “Luxury is no longer in the things you have, but in the experience, you enjoy” — finds its most tactile expression through the work of HEGI, in collaboration with Patryk Koca. Together, they have delivered what is arguably the first high-end shop fit-out of its kind in Australia, a project that redefines the boundaries between furniture, art, and technology.
HEGI’s Mastery — 19 Benches, One Vision
The Coulee benches, inspired by the original Coulee Daybed, embody HEGI’s philosophy of functional art. Designed in collaboration with Patryk Koca and Vicinity Centres, these benches form the sculptural backbone of the new Chatswood Chase experience. Across 19 meticulously crafted benches, HEGI weaves a narrative of global materiality and local craftsmanship. European leather, rich American walnut, Australian blackwood hardwood, and precision-formed metal converge to create tactile harmony — a study in balance between refinement and resilience.
Each bench reflects the design DNA of its muse: sculptural yet welcoming, grounded yet expressive.
“The trust and support Vicinity has put in HEGI was underestimated,” shares Nelli Hegi. “There have been weeks where we felt the pressure — yet it’s been the most incredible project to work on. When you deliver and see the leather colours and dark timber tones come to life under the lights,
it’s pure magic.”
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The Art of Function — Smart Benches for Modern Luxury
Every Coulee bench and coffee table in the precinct has been conceived as more than furniture — they are smart benches, designed for comfort, connection, and utility. Each piece integrates concealed power access and thoughtful table surfaces, allowing visitors to recharge — both themselves and their devices.
These design gestures echo Vicinity’s broader commitment to experience-driven architecture: places where people pause, connect, and unwind. Whether perched with a coffee, charging a phone, or simply taking in the atmosphere, the furniture encourages a slower rhythm of engagement — a rare luxury in today’s retail landscape.
This synthesis of design and technology elevates the project beyond aesthetics. The benches become instruments of wellbeing — tactile, ergonomic, and deeply considered — uniting beauty
with purpose.
Material Poetry — Where Global Meets Local
Each level of Chatswood Chase carries its own distinct personality. The ground floor evokes nature and renewal through olive and grass-green leathers, softly blending with the surrounding carpet tones. Level One embodies sophistication, with deep blue leather and warm brown detailing that mirror the timber joinery. Level Two, more restrained and minimalist, allows the architectural rhythm and material palette to breathe, creating spaces of calm and continuity. This layered approach to colour and material reflects HEGI’s atelier philosophy — to design pieces that feel alive, evolving with their surroundings. Like all HEGI creations, these benches tell a story through their materials: leather sourced from Europe, walnut from America, and Australian blackwood hardwood grounding the design in place. Each element speaks to Vicinity’s vision of quality, longevity, and craft — a design ethos that respects tradition while embracing innovation.
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An Artisan Studio Within a Commercial Realm
Chatswood Chase Sydney has become more than a destination — it’s a crafted environment where architecture meets art. For HEGI, this project bridges the intimacy of studio craftsmanship with the scale of public design.
What began as a single daybed concept has evolved into an architectural collection that embodies trust, collaboration, and vision. Together, Vicinity, Patryk Koca, and HEGI have reshaped expectations of what commercial spaces can achieve: beauty that is enduring, design that is intelligent, and craft that is deeply human.
“When you work with materials that breathe — leather, timber, metal — every piece has its own soul,” says Nelli Hegi. “Seeing these benches find their home in Chatswood Chase is a moment of immense pride. It’s proof that artistry and function can coexist beautifully in the everyday.”
A New Standard for Australian Retail Design
Chatswood Chase stands as a blueprint for the future of design-led retail — where every detail, from the lighting to the seating, contributes to a cohesive experience of contemporary luxury. Through HEGI’s craft and Vicinity’s vision, the precinct demonstrates that enduring design is not about spectacle, but substance. It’s about human experience, the poetry of material connection, and the quiet confidence of craftsmanship that will stand the test of time.
