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Project Overview

In a long-term collaboration between design and engineering, HASSELL partnered with Arup to create a workplace that invites people back, inspires them to reflect on their knowledge and, through increased connectivity, promotes the open sharing of ideas. The resulting workplace has created a new paradigm in flexibility, sustainability and wellness.

The Arup Melbourne experience begins with a unique arrival via the elevated Sky Park instead of a typical lift lobby. The garden feature continues throughout the interior with abundant planting reflecting an evolving, growing workplace.

Ostensibly spread over three floors, the workspace is disrupted by expansive voids with mezzanines inserted to create a cascading, terraced effect of five separate levels – a ‘one-volume’ highly connected and agile workplace. Arup’s day-to-day active and innovative work culture is visible through the voids and open mezzanines.

As a direct connection between floors, the mezzanines are the dynamic heart of this workplace and are home to the collaboration hubs for staff, clients and suppliers. To distinguish the importance of these spaces, we used cork on both the floor and underside.

The scheme is a salute to total design thinking and integrated engineering – the open stair, ramp and mezzanine steel structures, the exposed ceilings and services, and the visible acoustic treatments, are a demonstration of Arup’s expertise. Sound, light, experiential labs and maker spaces are dotted throughout the tenancy in plain view, on show.

Project Commissioner

Arup

 

Project Creator

HASSELL

Team

HASSELL Design Team:
Rebecca Trenorden
Scott Walker
Kyal Erdman
Bronwyn Pratt
Steve Coster
Ashleigh White
Anna Arkell
Linzi Kik
Rob Backhouse

Arup Team:
Joseph Correnza
Cameron McIntosh
Rob Macri
Nicole Neal
Phil Alexander-Pye
Ann Paul
Alex Chen
David Mason
Andrew Hale
Samantha Peart
Andy Bowdrey
Ken-Yi Fong
Will Gouthro
Nick Liley
James Danatzis
Tim Hunt
Rosana Saleme

Project Brief

A workplace that would evolve Arup’s business by enabling connectivity and sharing without losing what was valuable – the brief focused on looking forward to a future state, defining the type of workplace that facilitates the ‘living.arup’ ideals.

Despite moving into a conventional commercial building, Arup was keen for their new Melbourne workplace to have a creative, warehouse feel. To achieve this, the design team introduced large, open mezzanine floors that cantilever over the central three-level void and cascade down from floor to floor via ramps and stairs.

The mezzanines are home to the main collaboration hubs for staff, clients and suppliers to meet. They are in view of the work zones and open so that the levels below are visible. As a direct connection between floors, the mezzanines are the dynamic heart of the workplace. To highlight and distinguish the importance of these spaces within the workplace, we used cork on the floor and underside of the mezzanines. The cork was part of a highly sustainable palette that gives the space a warm atmosphere while also celebrating engineering, two often-contrasting elements.

The scheme is a salute to total design thinking and integrated engineering – the exposed stair, ramp and mezzanine steel structures, are a demonstration of Arup’s prowess, the ceilings and services are exposed and on show, the acoustic treatment visible. Sound, light, experiential labs and maker spaces are dotted throughout the tenancy in plain view, not hidden away. Everything that communicates ‘Arup’ is on display.

Project Innovation/Need

A detailed approach to each individual element in the design results in a holistic treatment, which continually refers back to the core values of the brief, linking with Arup’s own philosophy of ‘Total Design’.

The three-level volume is broken down into five cascading levels through the introduction of stairs, ramps and mezzanines, allowing the voluminous space to accommodate a variety of settings where people can either be on show or have privacy, e.g. under the mezzanine. The acoustics, lighting, materiality and ceiling heights play an important part in ensuring the space maintains a human scale and feels disarming and approachable.

The balustrade material around the central voids softens the edges creating both transparency and form. Finely woven stainless steel mesh is stretched inside a framework, the material’s elasticity giving a softness and transparency to an otherwise regulated element. This treatment came as a result of experimentation and discovery with Arup, and are key components of their work culture.

Internal planting is widely distributed throughout the tenancy, with a heavy concentration in the Arup Café. Here the planters “grow” out of the multi-level ramped floor at different heights with a layout that creates circulation, encouraging meandering, exploration and discovery, like that of a natural landscape.

Design Challenge

The unique partnership between HASSELL and Arup’s multidisciplinary team led to the development and implementation of new design approaches and construction techniques, which allowed us to push the boundaries of workplace design while keeping within the constraints of a standard industry budget.
Arup’s commitment to its people meant that wellness was not just a layer in the design process but a driver of the design outcome. Principles of movement, biophilia, circadian rhythm, healthy living and above all, community were integral throughout the project.

The introduction of ramps into the vertical circulation as part of the mezzanine levels ensured total accessibility. These routes also encourage movement and create opportunities for random encounters, networking and connection.
The soffit is exposed to allow up/down lighting throughout the workspace to increase melanopic lux without over-lighting the space. Programmable tuneable white lamps were introduced, which can adjust colour temperature to reflect circadian rhythm or, more interestingly, simulate external cloud formation internally. Clever lighting placement creates the appearance of volume and height like a warehouse in a traditional office building.

An Activity Centre, centralised Arup Eats, and the elimination of cleaning chemicals demonstrated Arup’s commitment to the wellbeing of its people through a targeted WELL Building Standard WELL Gold Interiors Rating.
The close partnership between HASSELL and Arup resulted in a space that embodies Arup’s values and culture – from the moment you walk in, the workplace feels welcoming, alive and optimistic.

Sustainability

HASSELL and Arup paid careful attention to all aspects of sustainable design and performance, which also incorporates social sustainability through the operation of the Arup Café by social enterprise, STREAT.

Internal planting is widely spread throughout the tenancy, however it is most concentrated in the Café. Here the planters “grow” out of the multi-level ramped floor at different heights and the layout creates circulation that encourages meandering, exploration and surprise, like that of a natural landscape.

Smart lighting has been integrated into the “up” component of the up/down lighting solution, where tuneable white lamps can be programmed to adjust colour temperature to reflect circadian rhythm or, more interestingly, simulate external cloud formation internally.

It was important that the finishes palette for the space was warm and genuine, but also maintained the celebration of engineering. The two central mezzanines are zoned through the use of cork, which was selected because of its natural patterning, warmth of colour, soft tactile nature, acoustic properties and sustainability. The cork lines the floor, ceiling and joinery, creating a natural, warm environment, whereas timber tabletops flood the Arup Café, Staff Kitchen and secondary workspaces.

On target to achieve a 6 Star Green Star interiors rating, with the building targeting a 6-star Green Star rating and 5-star NABERS Energy rating. The tenancy will use 100% green power as part of Arup’s commitment to sustainability, working towards being carbon neutral by 2020.

Interior Design - Corporate & Commercial

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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