In-depth Personalised Discovery
Global client OET wanted a relaxed, yet sophisticated workplace that inspired a welcoming and homey feeling when you walked through the doors.
Rather than delivering a design based solely on the client’s initial brief, Concept Commercial Interiors recommended, and ran, an in-depth personalised discovery process, encompassing strategic and functional briefing sessions with management and employees from all departments and levels to truly understand the client’s requirements for their new workspace.
Throughout the discovery process it became clear their new space needed to support a fun and vibrant culture while providing dedicated employees spaces for relaxation and escape. Therefore, the notion of employees feeling at home became a significant theme of the design.
A Home Away From Home
When design direction for OET new workspace commenced, CCI blurred the boundaries between a home and conventional workspace to achieve the ‘at home’ concept identified during the discovery sessions, resulting in a layout that advances traditional ideas of workplace design.
Employees and guests are now welcomed into the lounge and kitchen of OET’s Melbourne home. This theme continues into the industrial glass meeting spaces which contain dining tables and chairs.
The design allows for a living workspace environment that supports OET’s evolution, records its history and captures its journey, while deliberately providing opportunities for employees to continue adding personalised touches. The custom bookshelf, writeable walls and leather furniture selections, all showcase elements that will evolve and develop character and build a story over time, specific to OET Melbourne.
The ‘at home’ themed workspace design echoes societies merging of work and home life, representing the limitless boundaries of the workplace.
Bringing the Brand to Life
Brand identity was also an important aspect of the brief and was a strong element conveyed in the design, through shape, colour and reflection. Circular tables, pendant lights & rugs mimic OET’s logo. The workstation umbilical cords subtly echo of the use of the company’s colour palette and shape. As does the repeated reflection of the “O” in OET on the meeting room glass walls, these delicately reinforce the company’s brand.
Challenging traditional office designs
Another key component of the design was the shift towards an inclusive open plan and flexible workplace environment, designed to nurture both the collaborative, long hours and focused workstyles. The layout respects the diverse needs and behaviours of staff as well as encouraging by-chance collaboration to occur, and supports the non-hierarchical company culture. All staff, including the CEO, are now part of the communal workspace.
Multiple breakout and lounge spaces are positioned throughout, and can be reconfigured, as needed. Each lounge contains elements that reveal the story and diversity of the people of OET; the authentic Egyptian ottoman gifted by the office manager, the Italian reclaimed elm and brass coffee table. These elements again emphasise the familiarity of home.
OET new Melbourne office is the perfect representation of a built environment capturing the companies vibrant culture and values, while being designed to evolve with them, delivering a workspace that is used the way it is intended.
Want to see more about this innovative project? Check out the photo’s here.
