Image Credit : Yvonne Qumi
Project Overview
Energy isn’t static; it is constantly changing and responding to its environment. So too must an office interior change and respond to the staff that inhabit it. The 12,000sqm fitout for Citipower and Powercor’s headquarters in Melbourne was designed with a focus on space efficiency in order to provide adaptable and flexible activity based working environments. This function-driven approach reflected the client’s identity and values by accommodating communal spaces that encourage more staff interaction, accidental meetings and learning on each of the ten levels. This flexible approach to space planning promotes connectivity and curiosity between individuals and teams as well as providing future-proofing.
Project Commissioner
Citipower and Powercor Australia
Project Creator
Team
Design Team: Siren Design - Nicole Pollak, Nathalia Suizu
Builder: B2B Project & Construction Management
Project Manager: B2B Project & Construction Management
Services Engineer: Medland Metropolis
Project Brief
The project brief was to deliver an adaptable, yet consistent solution that would invigorate staff across all ten levels of the Citipower and Powercor headquarters. A holistic approach was taken to create an energetic, contemporary visual language that runs throughout the ten levels of the 12,000sqm fitout. Built spaces on each level formed ‘Power Cells’ around the core of the building, with each cell taking on its own identity to provide way-finding and branding opportunities. This arrangement allows access to natural light and vistas for staff around the perimeter of the floor plate with bespoke joinery and collaborative spaces situated throughout.
Project Innovation/Need
Through a refined and dynamic application of materials and activity based principles, a detailed and contemporary space has been created to invigorate, energise and excite staff. Barriers have been broken down with connectivity and curiosity between individuals and teams becoming established, reshaping the culture of the office.
Design Challenge
The challenge of designing an office interior that could change and respond to the staff that inhabit it was met with the idea of flexible workspaces using an activity based strategy. ‘Power Cell’ spaces provide moments of interaction between staff. Moving these built spaces to around the core of the building freed up space for more casual meeting spaces and hot desks that in the future can be adapted to different uses. Providing these options for connectivity throughout the office encourages staff to be more mobile and work more flexibly in the office.
Sustainability
Adaptable spaces have been designed to evolve with the occupants and the client, mitigating the need for extensive work in the near-future. A variety of spaces have been designed to cater for dual purposes to avoid under-utilised space such as large hot desks benches that can be used as additional casual meeting spaces or workstations if the need arises. The activity based strategy that fosters teamwork and an active style of working provides sustainability benefits through limiting workplace footprint per person. These forward-looking solutions embedded in the floor plan have been supported by the use of sustainable and hard-wearing products and materials, ensuring the longevity of the project.
Interior Design - Corporate
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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