The times are changing
Thankfully, Stephen believes the tide is turning. “Today we are seeing more adventurous decisions, and I think a growing appreciation that the role an office plays is broader than just providing the tools and spaces your staff need to deliver their work,” explains Stephen. “It’s also a space people want to experience, to draw people together, and attract and retain staff.”
Recently, Synergy Group took a team of government clients through industry-leading fit-outs in Melbourne including Transurban, Energy Australia, Medibank and NAB. “There was nothing in these corporate headquarters that we couldn’t see working in the offices of our government clients,” says Stephen.
“The spaces were designed to maximise natural light, and they felt dynamic with different work settings that could be adapted quickly by users. We witnessed teams coming together over lunch or coffee in the popular informal meeting spaces. There was a real community feel about all these offices.”
Reflecting your culture
A representation and embodiment of organisational culture into a fit-out design was particularly apparent at both Medibank and Transurban. Medibank incorporated an edible garden, a basketball court and an internal course for walking meetings to align with the company’s ‘Live Better’ philosophy.
At Transurban, a full wall displaying a live feed of the company’s various road projects was on display, furthering a real sense of pride in the company’s achievements.
“We have seen this in a few fit-outs recently, especially in the larger corporate headquarters in Sydney and Melbourne. Transurban in Melbourne, and Lendlease in Sydney, have both displayed their work particularly well. By standing in their foyers you can see the projects they have worked on, the history of the company, as well as their company values, all at a glance. It’s really powerful the way they have this on display,” Stephen reflects.
The need for flexibility
The shift from traditional working environments to flexible or modern workspaces is gaining momentum in government, with several entities in the pilot stage of their transition. These pilots are breaking the myth that government workers have unique roles that don’t align with these modern work environments.