Modern studio, heritage quality
DesignInc had been operating from the 51st floor of Melbourne Central for 12 years. While the views from the top level were impressive, the architects felt enclosed by its raked glass ceiling.
This office also didn't align with the practice's leaning towards sustainable design, highlighted in the Council House 2 building they designed in conjunction with Melbourne City Council.
"There were enviable views and wonderful natural light, but we wanted to be closer to the ground and feel part of the city," says architect Stephen Webb, design director for the practice.
Their search for a new office took them a few blocks down Elizabeth Street to the heritage-listed GPO. Above the shops, on level two, DesignInc found 1200 square metres, framing the atrium.
Used as a bar for several years, the shell the architects inherited had six-metre-high ceilings, framed by large Victorian windows. For the 70 staff, this offered an opportunity to work in a studio-style environment.
Pinboards are brimming with notes and some of the communal tables are laden with plans.
"We're a large practice, but it was important to create a working office that allowed for collaboration," says Webb.
DesignInc set a number of design objectives in achieving a collaborative workspace. As well as workstations, there are central tables that allow for drawing as well as for informal meetings.
Staff can book one of the enclosed meeting rooms but, in the main, they prefer to move a few metres away from their computers for informal discussions.
"The tables are also used for model making, which lends itself to the studio ambience," Webb says.
Those wanting an even less structured environment can meet in the "lab", a multifunctional seminar space. Pivotal to the space is a large plywood wall on wheels. On one side, there's built-in seating. And on the other is one large presentation board.
"You can turn the wall around or angle it to suit."
And for those who prefer discussing ideas over a barbecue, the lab leads to a large terrace, complete with barbecue facilities and vegetable plot.
Given DesignInc's history for sustainable design, environmental issues were at the forefront in the office fitout.
Operable windows allow for natural ventilation. Indoor plants provide a green vantage point wherever one chooses to work. The architects selected species that directly remove toxins from the air.
As sustainable are the materials used by DesignInc, recycled or salvaged. "From the outset we wanted to put staff first and create a slightly domestic feel to the space," Webb says, pointing out the communal kitchen, with shared bench space.
One of the main issues in the fitout related to heritage, given the nature of the building.
Rather than competing with the soaring ceilings and the studio's arched columned gallery space, DesignInc designed a simple contemporary fitout that was timeless. As well as pendant lights, there are branch-like steel lights hovering above workstations.
"We wanted to reduce the scale of the ceilings and make staff feel grounded."
But to retain the fluidity of the two large studios, the walls of the workstations are made from perforated steel, loosely defining the work teams.
While views of the city streets weren't possible due to the height of the original windows, there are a couple of large projection screens (including one at reception) that connect staff to the simple pleasures of the city traffic.
"Everyone here had a stake in the design. Given the time we all spend at work, the last thing people want to feel is sealed in a glass box," Webb says.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
DesignInc left the 51st floor of Melbourne Central because, despite great views and natural light, the raked glass ceiling made staff feel enclosed. The practice wanted to be closer to the ground, feel part of the city and align its workspace with its focus on sustainable design.
DesignInc relocated to level two above the shops in the heritage-listed GPO on Elizabeth Street. The new 1,200 square metre studio frames the building atrium, has six-metre-high ceilings, large Victorian windows and room for about 70 staff to work in a studio-style environment.
The fitout prioritises collaboration with central communal tables for drawing and informal meetings, pinboards, model-making space, bookable enclosed meeting rooms and a multifunctional ‘lab’ with a movable plywood wall. These elements let staff shift a few metres from desks for spontaneous discussion.
Sustainability was front of mind: operable windows enable natural ventilation, indoor plants were chosen to remove air toxins, many materials were recycled or salvaged, and the terrace includes a vegetable plot — all part of the office’s sustainable design approach.
Rather than compete with the soaring ceilings and arched gallery, DesignInc created a simple, timeless contemporary fitout. They reduced perceived ceiling scale with pendant and branch-like steel lights, used perforated steel walls to define teams while keeping fluidity, and avoided overpowering heritage features.
The office puts staff first with a communal kitchen and shared bench space to create a domestic feel, a large terrace with barbecue facilities, a vegetable plot, abundant natural light and indoor plants — all designed to make the workplace more comfortable and healthy.
The studio supports varied workstyles by combining individual workstations with large communal tables for drawing and model making, a flexible ‘lab’ seminar space for less structured meetings, bookable meeting rooms for private discussions and movable elements like the plywood wall to reconfigure space quickly.
Because the original window height limited city street views, DesignInc installed large projection screens (including one at reception) that display city traffic and simple urban pleasures, helping staff feel connected to the life of the city despite limited direct views.
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