Image Credit : Nicole England
Project Overview
A workplace transformation like no other, collaborating with the Department of Transport, peckvonhartel has created a destination government workplace that brings together multiple departments under one roof to work and interact.
Gone are the days of isolated home offices and disconnected virtual meetings. Our design philosophy centres on the belief that a truly exceptional workplace should be more than just a functional space: it should be a vibrant hub that fosters collaboration, innovation, and a strong sense of community.
Inspired by the diverse needs and aspirations of the Department of Transport's workforce, we crafted a bespoke environment that merges form and function. Our design focuses on creating a curated space where employees can thrive, share knowledge, and collaborate with a goal to enhance productivity and well-being.
One of the project's key objectives was to reimagine the customer service hub, designed to enhance the public's experience with government services. We crafted a space that not only supports streamlined interactions but embraces a warm and welcoming atmosphere, elevating the quality of the public service. A business lounge offers partners additional meeting space, and a state-of-the-art high tech Traffic Operations Centre has transformed the 24/7 facility experience.
At the heart of this design lies a deep commitment to building a culture that empowers individuals and fosters a sense of belonging. Forward-thinking, and transformative, this project is a testament to the strength of design to reshape the way we work and live.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Rebecca Daff
Adam Harper
Tim Giles
Catalina Lara
Project Brief
The Department of Transport is a true standout for a government project, done differently. The project sets a new standard for a government workplace in sustainability, amenity and in agile workstyle settings. A workplace for engineers, the directive was to design a purposeful workplace without decoration. The outcome is a sophisticated design that addresses the operational and aspirational requirements and offers an agile environment that supports multiple functions for the department becoming a pinnacle for government workplace design.
Project Innovation/Need
We knew we had to approach this project with a new methodology in stakeholder engagement not only because the client didn’t necessarily want change, but also because covid happened. Through a series of intensive and ongoing briefings, workshops and design presentations, rather than the traditional presentation packages that designers would normally use, we used 3d fly- throughs as a critical design tool. This innovative and collaborative approach had several benefits to the process, allowing staff to deeply engage with the design process, to be familiar with their new proposed work environment which mitigated risk, and they were able to start to adopt new ways of thinking about how they would work before they moved in.
Design Challenge
The Department of Transport design had to respond to a post pandemic world which challenged the government tenants’ boundaries of workplace design. The design contested standard rows of workstations for instead, a multitude of open collaboration areas and project spaces. These spaces were designed with fully agile work settings, power anywhere, lighting that is fully adaptable and tailorable. The workplace has become a stage for the different work settings to support the department’s functions.
Sustainability
Underpinning all aspects of our approach is our commitment to sustainability.
peckvonhartel is proud to have completed the first 5 star Green Star rated office fit-out in Australia for Land Victoria. Our practice also completed the first platinum WELL accredited building in Australia (the second globally). Most recently this project has been awarded a 6 star Green Star accreditation, there are currently only five buildings in Melbourne that have 6 Star Green Star Interiors accreditation, and 12 Australia-wide.
peckvonhartel was engaged by the Department of Transport to design a state-of-the-art workplace. The facility co-locates a number of the Department’s functions and services into one purpose-designed facility, enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing. WIFI across all areas offers a place to work anywhere allowing flexibility and choice.
The fit out has been accredited with 6 Star Green Star As-Built and Design rating (World Leadership, Net Zero Emissions), 5 Star NABERS rating and 4 Star NABERS Water rating. This accreditation is reserved for highly efficient buildings fully powered by renewables while addressing a significant number of environmental and social issues as well as contributing to the community.
The highest scoring project to achieve 6 Star in Victoria (86/100), it is one of 12 buildings in Victoria to achieve this rating, an accomplishment for a new building of this scale.
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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