Image Credit : by GroupGSA Workplace and Commercial team_Interior design_photos Luc Remond
Project Overview
The Maitland Hub at 510 High Street is a contemporary, lively, open fit-out design that supports collaborative, hybrid working and fosters a sense of community. The workspace design draws inspiration from the area's rich history and the well-preserved historic buildings, to create local connection.
This two-level workplace hub is a collaborative space combining three government agencies under one roof: the Department of Regional NSW, the Department of Customer Service, and the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure. With 5500 square metres of workspace, it accommodates up to 650 government employees. PDNSW built the hub to consolidate operations and reduce rent and associated costs from multiple leases. Each group has specialist functions in the Hunter Region's preservation and restoration, and our design considers all their unique requirements.
We applied Property Development NSW (PDNSW) workplace guidelines and wove in a local flavour in the design details. The two level fit-out includes agile working environments, shared collaboration spaces, and community areas.
The hub is designed for today and accommodates future flexible working and specialist areas.
It is a destination for regional government employees and helps decentralise employment opportunities between rural and urban areas.
Post-occupancy results: High satisfaction levels (79%) with overall comfort, and 78% of respondents are satisfied with the design.
This is the first agency co-location using a universal ICT platform that significantly improves experience and efficiencies. The Hub is considered a Proof-of-concept for future PDNSW Whole of Government hubs.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Liam Higginbotham, Jessica Margiotta, Jordan Ottley, George Loizos, Huon Toombs, Mayour Chouhan
T 02 8833 0025 M 0478 740 975
Project Brief
The original intent was to consolidate one agency. However, the vacant space's unexpected potential presented an exciting and unique opportunity to combine three agencies on one site, significantly enhancing the project's impact and value.
The revised project brief was to deliver a workplace hub that is a desirable work destination that accommodates hybrid working, houses three agencies, inspires service delivery excellence, and provides value for money for the Government. It must also deliver consistent employee experience, reduce environmental impact, and create financial efficiencies.
The objective was to design a contemporary, flexible, agile workplace hub with purpose-driven spaces for staff to focus, collaborate, and connect. The design also needed to consider partner inclusion—Indigenous art, for example—and showcase assets such as an art collection and historical items.
The design comprised a portfolio of connected, flexible and shared workspaces, including:
• Areas for the ebb and flow of agencies through macro department changes and weekly occupancy demand
• The ability for staff to use any part of the workplace
• Open circulation and improved sight lines throughout to improve connection and visibility within and between agencies
• Incorporating the unique culture and functional requirements of each agency
• Local context with an overlay of brick and texture to enhance interest and provide a distinctive look and ambience drawing on Maitland's historical context and character.
Project Innovation/Need
The Maitland Hub is the first agency co-location using a universal ICT platform offering significant improvements in experience and efficiencies. Due to these integrated and universal features, Maitland Hub is considered a Proof-of-concept for future Whole of Government hubs.
Innovative elements include:
Spatial planning
• The building's floor plate is ideal for accommodating different agencies and teams.
• The floor plates are open and generous, and an open interconnecting staircase joins Levels 1 and 2 to encourage movement and connection.
Collaboration and communication: Circulation zones are designed to encourage serendipitous collaboration.
Health and wellbeing: A reflection space, end-of-trip facilities, open stairs between floors, bike parking, outdoor meeting spaces, open lawns and BBQ area.
Flexible spaces
• There are many spaces and settings for multiple purposes by different groups and teams.
• Level 1 allows multiple rooms to be adjusted into a Town Hall space.
Inclusive and accessible for everyone: mobility and varied functional needs as detailed in the WofG workplace standards.
Incorporation of artefacts or representation of agency culture: The hub design includes elements representing the culture and professions within specific agencies.
Universal digital platform: Integration enables a seamless user experience to access equipment such as photocopies, meeting rooms and visitor management.
Meeting room technology and AV: a QR code in each room provides How-to Guides and training on how and why to use the technology.
Design Challenge
This project's most unique design challenge was uniting diverse government agencies, each with specific needs, into a cohesive workspace that supports their varied functions and stages of adopting new working methods.
We drew on our experience consolidating multiple stakeholder groups to coordinate effectively with agencies, user groups, and the landlord. This collaboration enabled us to align on shared goals while addressing unique requirements for each agency, ensuring smooth and unified project execution.
Partnering with the landlord, we expanded parking to include electric vehicle charging stations and improved accessibility. We also revitalised the underutilised areas like the Winter Garden terrace on Level 1, transforming it into a versatile outdoor space to foster cross-agency connections and enhance workplace wellness.
Each agency's needs were reflected in the workspace design:
• Display cabinetry for rock and gem collections, showcasing specialised work.
• Secure rooms for site equipment and PPE.
• Microscope rooms can double as quiet workspaces.
• A cartography area with layout tables and high benches suited for collaborative mapping work.
• Secure interview rooms with dual exits and duress alarms.
We designed communal spaces to encourage "meaningful collisions" across agencies, allowing for knowledge-sharing and fostering a unified yet dynamic environment. Through these elements, we created a workspace that balances functional cohesion with each agency's distinct identity.
Sustainability
Maitland Hub is designed to achieve 5 Star Green Star Interiors rating 4.5 Star NABERS Base and Tenancy and 4-Star Water ratings.
Consolidating agencies into centralised office accommodation can result in numerous efficiencies in space, energy, resources, and waste.
A Green lease has been implemented. Sites over 4000m2 and with more than three years of term must be leased under this arrangement, enabling best practices for environmental initiatives.
1. Energy and water efficiency and renewable power
Monitored site energy use to ensure lighting, HVAC, and appliances are optimised for minimum energy use while maintaining occupancy comfort.
Electricity is purchased with 6% Green Power under the 3062 Whole of Government contract. Water tanks collect the rainwater for use in landscaping.
2. Reused furniture and fittings
The project achieves circular economy principles by recycling and re-using furniture and equipment from the existing fit-out and other sites including storage units, task chairs, whiteboards, workstations, monitors, and monitor arms.
3. Sustainable furniture selection
The project was delivered to achieve a minimum 5-star Certified Green Star Interiors rating under the Green Building Council Australia rating tool.
We focused on local Australian-made furniture with relevant environmental certification. The project exceeded the goals of over 90% of demolition waste being recycled.
Level 2 - 91.2% demolition materials recycled, 206 tonnes.
Level 1 - 92% demolition materials recycled, 206.80 tonnes.
Waste Management
Cleaning contractors will sort recycling weigh waste and file reports. Maitland will recycle organic waste by engaging a local vendor.
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.
More Details