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Columba Herringbone was selected for the McGrath Paddington office because its warm tones and natural grain were intended to make a busy workplace feel welcoming, while the brief also called for a hardwearing floor. The project is a conversion of a heritage-listed building in Paddington, New South Wales, and the designer’s comments explain the flooring’s intended role—not a measured result or proof of long-term wear.
What was the McGrath Paddington flooring project?
The McGrath Paddington office is a boutique real-estate workspace created inside a heritage-listed building that had previously been an outdated chemist. The design sought to preserve and restore the building’s original character while introducing a contemporary palette and a more efficient working environment. Havwoods identifies the installed floor as Columba Herringbone; The Unlisted Collective was the designer and Urban Core the contractor, according to the Havwoods project case study.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The floor was one part of a broader restoration. The case study describes returning the front door to its original position and reinstating decorative ceilings. High ceilings and large windows bring natural light into the interior. Those architectural features help explain the setting in which the flooring appears, but they should not be attributed to the floor itself.
This distinction matters when reading a project story: the building’s heritage elements, the wider interior design, and the flooring each contribute differently. The timber floor connects to the room’s contemporary finish, while the restored details retain visual cues from the earlier building.
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How did the heritage brief shape the flooring decision?
Working in a former chemist created a two-part design challenge. The team needed to recover identifiable features of the old building, yet the finished premises had to operate as a current real-estate office. Returning the entry door to its original location and reinstating decorative ceilings addressed the first requirement. A contemporary palette, efficient planning and a floor with a more domestic visual character addressed the second.
That context helps explain why the flooring was not treated as a purely technical surface. In a client-facing office, the first impression is part of the workplace brief. Columba’s timber appearance was intended to sit comfortably with the restored architecture rather than compete with it. The case study does not say that the floor is a heritage reproduction, nor that it was selected because it matched an original floor. Its documented role was to add warmth within a carefully balanced restoration.
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Large windows and high ceilings supply daylight and volume, while the decorative elements provide visual history. Fraser’s comments place Columba alongside those features as an atmospheric layer: warm oak tones and visible grain were chosen to make the working environment feel more homely and inviting. This is a design intention, not a measured assessment of visitor satisfaction or a claim that the timber alone creates the room’s ambience.
Why did the designer choose Columba Herringbone?
The stated brief combined practical demands with an atmospheric goal: the floor had to be hardwearing enough for an office with frequent staff and public traffic, yet aesthetically pleasing. Bianca Fraser, Director and Interior Designer at The Unlisted Collective, said that high daily foot traffic made it imperative to select a hardwearing flooring solution that was also visually appealing.
Fraser described the chosen floor as a way to make the office feel “homely and inviting.” She linked its warm tones and natural grain to comfort and welcome, and said those qualities contributed to the area’s positive ambience. That is the designer’s reported rationale. The project material does not present user surveys or other measurements showing how visitors experienced the space.
The choice therefore addressed two different design questions. The first was how to give a busy office a welcoming character rather than an austere one. The second was how to specify a floor for a high-traffic setting. The case study documents that the product was selected to meet both aims; it does not provide comparative testing against other floors or demonstrate a particular service life.
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What does herringbone contribute to the interior?
Herringbone describes the floor’s repeating arrangement of short rectangular pieces set at alternating angles, forming a zigzag pattern. In this project, that pattern sits alongside the warm colour and visible oak grain Fraser singled out. Together, those features provide the floor with a distinct visual presence without requiring the article to infer a specific effect on room size, traffic flow, or acoustics—none of those outcomes is reported in the project sources.
The relationship to the heritage setting is a matter of design balance, not a claim that the flooring is a historical restoration material. The brief called for original character to be respected while the interior gained a contemporary palette and efficient workspace. The floor’s natural-looking grain and warm tones were the designer’s stated route toward a comfortable, inviting feel within that updated setting.
Likewise, natural light from the large windows and the restored decorative ceilings are part of the room’s overall composition, not evidence that the floor itself brightens the space or performs in a particular way. Keeping those contributions separate makes the project’s design story clearer: restoration established the architectural context, and the flooring was selected for its visual character and its intended suitability for everyday office use.
Which Columba product and specifications are documented?
The project case study gives the product code as HW16009C. Havwoods’ current Australian listing uses HW16009CP for Columba Herringbone, while ArchiPro’s McGrath Paddington listing also identifies HW16009CP as the product used. The available pages do not explain the suffix difference, so confirm the exact SKU with Havwoods before relying on a code for a quote, order, or specification.
Havwoods lists the following characteristics for HW16009CP. These are manufacturer-listed product attributes and claims, not independent performance findings.
| Attribute | Havwoods listing |
|---|---|
| Product | Columba Herringbone, engineered European oak |
| Thickness and wear layer | 11 mm overall; 4 mm wear layer |
| Dimensions | 70 mm wide by 490 mm long |
| Surface and finish | Brushed process; UV-oiled finish |
| Profile | Tongue and groove |
| Grade and colour group | Character grade; Blonde colour group |
| Origin and certification | Made in Europe; listed as PEFC certified |
| Installation and heating | Listed as suitable for glue-down installation and underfloor heating |
These specifications come from the Havwoods Australia product page. The wording “suitable for underfloor heating” and the PEFC certification are the manufacturer’s listing claims; they do not establish how the product was installed or certified for this particular office. The project case study names the product but does not describe the installation method or report a floor-performance assessment.
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What should a specifier verify before ordering?
The code discrepancy is the first item to resolve. A quotation that repeats HW16009C from the case study may not match a current Australian order entered as HW16009CP. Ask Havwoods to confirm whether the suffix denotes a packaging, market or product revision, and request the current technical sheet against the quotation.
Next, check the intended use. The listing describes an engineered European oak board with an 11 mm build-up, a 4 mm wear layer, tongue-and-groove edges and glue-down installation. Those details affect floor build-up, transitions and subfloor preparation, but the project pages do not record the Paddington subfloor, adhesive, moisture readings or installation sequence. A contractor should therefore confirm site-specific requirements rather than copy assumptions from the case study.
If underfloor heating is proposed, the manufacturer lists the product as suitable for that application, but the heating system, controls and installation method still need to be coordinated with the supplier and installer. Likewise, PEFC certification is a listing attribute; retain the relevant product documentation if certification is important to a project’s sustainability schedule.
Finally, obtain a physical sample. “Character” grade, a Blonde colour group, brushing and UV oil describe the listed finish, but a sample is the practical way to review grain variation and colour in the office’s daylight. Havwoods provides sample and pricing-request options on its Australian product page. No current affiliate arrangement or Amazon listing for this exact SKU is established by the project pages, so procurement should run through the manufacturer or an authorised flooring supplier.
Does the project prove the floor is suitable for commercial traffic?
No. It establishes that the design team chose the product for a space expected to receive high daily foot traffic, but the available project account does not report a durability test, wear measurement, or period of service. The designer’s description of the requirement should not be mistaken for a verified performance result.
The distinction is especially important for warranty claims. Havwoods’ product listing states an “up to 20 year residential warranty,” but the listing does not establish that the residential warranty applies to this commercial office installation. Anyone considering the product for a workplace should ask Havwoods to confirm the terms that would apply to the intended use, along with the exact product code and installation requirements.
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For a project specification, the useful takeaway is not that the case study proves a certain lifespan. It is that the selection brief explicitly paired appearance with the need to handle frequent traffic. The product listing supplies construction details to discuss with the supplier, but the project sources do not document comparative alternatives, maintenance results, or the floor’s performance over time.
Are there competing products or cost figures to compare?
The documented project identifies one selected floor and does not name products that were rejected or shortlisted. There is therefore no evidence-based ranking of Columba against another timber floor, no like-for-like comparison of wear layers or finishes, and no project budget, installed rate or cost-per-square-metre figure to report. A buyer seeking those comparisons would need current quotations for the relevant market and installation conditions.
Even the manufacturer’s sample and pricing-request functions should be treated as procurement starting points rather than a published project cost. Quantities, wastage from the herringbone layout, subfloor preparation, adhesive, trims and labour would all need to be priced for a specific site, and none of those figures is given for Paddington.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can readers take from the case study?
The McGrath Paddington example shows how a floor can be considered as part of both a workplace brief and a broader restoration. The project’s requirements were not simply to make the room look contemporary: it also had to work as an office used by staff and the public, while respecting a heritage-listed building’s character.
- Start with the setting: the floor was selected for a boutique office in a restored former chemist, not as an isolated product showcase.
- Separate the objectives: the designer cited both hardwearing needs and aesthetic appeal, then specifically connected Columba’s warm tones and grain to a welcoming atmosphere.
- Keep claims proportional: the case study records a design choice and its intended effect, not measured durability or a guaranteed commercial lifespan.
- Verify the product reference: the project page says HW16009C, while current Australian product information and ArchiPro use HW16009CP.
- Coordinate the specification: confirm the SKU, commercial warranty position, installation method, heating compatibility and certification paperwork with Havwoods before ordering.
In short, the documented value of the floor in this project is the combination the designer sought: a natural, warm visual character for a welcoming office, alongside a product chosen in response to daily traffic. The evidence supports that design rationale, while leaving installation details and long-term performance unreported.
Questions to ask Havwoods or the installer
For a project team considering the same product, a focused enquiry can close the gaps left by the case study. Confirm whether the quotation should use HW16009C or HW16009CP and whether both references describe the same current board. Ask which commercial warranty, if any, applies to an office and what maintenance conditions attach to it. Request the latest installation instructions for the tongue-and-groove boards, including glue-down requirements and subfloor tolerances. If the floor will sit over heating, obtain written confirmation that the proposed system and controls are compatible. Also request PEFC documentation and a current sample so the sustainability and appearance schedules refer to the exact material being purchased.
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Those checks do not diminish the design rationale. They simply keep the attractive qualities described by Fraser—warm tones, natural grain and a welcoming feel—separate from technical, contractual and performance claims that must be confirmed for each commercial project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was responsible for the McGrath Paddington office fit-out?
Havwoods names The Unlisted Collective as the designer and Urban Core as the contractor. Bianca Fraser, Director and Interior Designer at The Unlisted Collective, explained the flooring choice in the case-study interview.
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The Havwoods product page describes an “up to 20 year residential warranty.” The available information does not say that this warranty covers a commercial office, so a buyer should obtain confirmation of applicable terms directly from the supplier.
Why do the Columba Herringbone product codes differ across project pages?
The Havwoods project case study uses HW16009C, but the current Australian product listing and ArchiPro’s project listing use HW16009CP. The sources do not explain the difference; confirm the exact SKU with Havwoods before ordering or specifying it.
Does the Paddington case study report how the floor held up over time?
No wear measurements, durability tests, or service-life results are reported in the project material. It records the high-traffic requirement and the designer’s reasons for selecting the floor, rather than a later performance assessment.
What are the listed dimensions of Columba Herringbone?
Havwoods lists HW16009CP as 11 mm thick, with boards 70 mm wide and 490 mm long. It also lists a 4 mm wear layer, brushed surface and UV-oiled finish. Confirm the current technical sheet with Havwoods because the project reference uses a different suffix.
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McGrath Paddington documents a clear design rationale for Columba Herringbone: a warm, natural-looking engineered oak floor chosen for a welcoming office that also faces daily staff and public traffic. Havwoods’ listed specifications are useful for initial coordination, but the SKU, commercial warranty, installation details and long-term wear performance should be verified for any new project.
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