Country Road’s commitment to sustainable retail was exemplified in the opening of the flagship country store in Ballarat – a project that balanced heritage character with contemporary sustainability. Since then, the momentum has continued, with the recent launch of the flagship Brisbane store in Queen Street Mall – also in a heritage building. Together, these openings take GreenStar–certified Country Road stores to more than 20+ nationwide, with eight of them proudly delivered in partnership with ONE68.

The Ballarat store is situated on Sturt Street, the store occupies two levels of a beautiful heritage building with a history stretching back over a century. Once a bank, the space is steeped in character: soaring ceilings, ornate cornices, and the kind of architectural detail you simply can’t replicate in a new build. While these features bring undeniable charm, they also presented the project team with a unique set of challenges – from working within strict heritage constraints to integrating modern services without compromising the building’s historic integrity.

Balancing history and sustainability

Delivering a sustainable fitout in a heritage shell required a considered approach at every stage. “We couldn’t just strip out and start again,” says the ONE68 Project Manager Luke Floyd who oversaw the fitout. “The design intent was to honour the building’s original fabric while achieving the sustainability objectives required for the GreenStar certification for the store.”

This meant everything – from the way the walls were treated to the choice of adhesives – was scrutinised for environmental impact. The project adhered to Country Road’s sustainability principles, which go well beyond the visible finishes. All shop fittings and fixtures were designed to maximise reusability, recyclability, and longevity.

Nothing off-the-shelf

The store’s entire interior fitout was custom-made in ONE68’s Melbourne factory or sourced from specialist makers overseas. Every counter, display table, clothing rail, and shelving unit was
purpose-built to meet both the design vision and the stringent sustainability criteria to achieve GreenTag certification.

This bespoke approach meant materials could be chosen not just for aesthetic appeal but for their environmental credentials – low-VOC finishes, FSC-certified timbers, and recyclable metals. By manufacturing locally wherever possible, the project also reduced transport emissions and supported Victorian craftsmanship.

Designing for experience

Beyond its sustainability achievements, the Ballarat flagship delivers a customer experience that reflects Country Road’s understated elegance and connection to place. The interior palette is warm and tactile – timber, stone, and soft neutral tones that invite customers to explore at their own pace.

Fixtures are designed to be both beautiful and functional, with adaptable layouts that allow the store to evolve over time without wasteful refurbishments. Lighting is energy-efficient but carefully layered, creating an atmosphere that feels inviting while highlighting the product in a way that feels natural and effortless.

Collaboration as the constant

While each Country Road store in the GreenStar program has its own identity, the collaboration between the brand and ONE68 has been a consistent thread in delivering quality outcomes. This long-term partnership has fostered a shared understanding of both the sustainability benchmarks and the high fitout standards expected.

“After delivering eight of these projects, we know what it takes to balance brand experience, environmental goals, and the realities of site-specific challenges,” says ONE68 Production Manager Scott Minter. “Ballarat was particularly rewarding because of the heritage overlay – it pushed us to be even more creative in integrating sustainable design within an existing historic framework.”

An example for the industry

For fitout professionals, the Ballarat store is a reminder that sustainability and heritage can not only co-exist but enhance each other when approached with respect and ingenuity. For retailers, it’s proof that sustainable fitouts don’t have to compromise on brand expression or customer experience. And for designers and fitout companies, it’s an example of how custom fabrication can deliver both environmental outcomes and elevated aesthetics.

The result is a store that feels grounded in its location, respectful of its history, and future-focused in its environmental approach. It’s a space where customers can shop knowing that behind the scenes, every decision – from the choice of timber to the layout of the lighting – has been made with sustainability in mind.

From the Ballarat flagship country store to the newly opened Brisbane flagship in Queen Street Mall – and every sustainable store delivered in between – Country Road continues to set the benchmark for responsible retail in Australia. Each project adds to a growing network of Green Star–certified spaces nationwide, and ONE68 remains a trusted partner in bringing that vision to life – one considered detail at a time.

Client:
Country Road Group

Location:
Ballarat, VIC

Project Size:
760m2

Fitout:
ONE68