Image Credit : Shannon McGrath
Project Overview
Anchored in culture, connection, and purpose, KBR’s new workplace reimagines the corporate environment as a living, breathing reflection of its people and place. Designed to enhance connectivity across two expansive floors, the space is united by a central hub that captures Melbourne’s dynamic energy, encouraging collaboration, conversation, and adaptability.
Design details draw from the rich tapestry of Melbourne and Wurundjeri traditions: flowing joinery traces the path of the Birrarung, while woven lighting elements ground the space in local narrative. With a palette that reflects land and water, alongside sustainable materials, immersive textures, and purposeful planning that maximises light, views, and flexibility, the result is a workplace that lives and breathes KBR’s values: bold, inclusive, and built for the future.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Merit Design Team
Merit Delivery Team
Project Brief
KBR’s new workplace redefines what it means to work collaboratively and purposefully in a dynamic urban environment. Spanning two expansive floors, the 2700sqm fit-out champions connection, wellbeing, and cultural resonance; balancing strategic planning with an emotive design narrative that reflects both Melbourne’s spirited character and the cultural traditions of the Wurundjeri people.
The design navigates the challenge of unifying two separate floorplates by stacking shared, communal zones vertically to create a central hub that fosters engagement, flexibility, and inclusivity. Seamlessly adaptable to everyday work and special events, the space blends functionality with identity, offering uninterrupted access to city views, abundant natural light, and diverse working modes.
Every element, from flowing bespoke joinery that echoes the Birrarung River, to lighting inspired by Melbourne’s urban rhythm, celebrates local culture while anchoring the global identity of KBR. Executed with precision and delivered ahead of schedule, the outcome is an energising and future-focused workplace that inspires pride, connection, and a shared sense of purpose.
Project Innovation/Need
The innovation behind KBR’s new workplace lies in its deep commitment to cultural storytelling, an approach that grounds the design in both place and purpose. Every detail speaks to the unique identity of Melbourne, honouring Wurundjeri traditions while celebrating the vibrancy of contemporary city life.
Cultural narratives are woven into the fabric of the space through thoughtful, bespoke gestures. The central pillar of the kitchen island is wrapped in artwork by a local Indigenous artist, grounding the space in nature and Country. The splashback evokes the quiet beauty of misty Melbourne mornings, while bespoke joinery echoes and traces the meandering path of the Yarra River.
Feature lighting, inspired by woven fishing baskets, subtly honours traditional Wurundjeri practices, casting soft, organic shadows that bring a sense of calm and rhythm.
The coffee bar celebrates Melbourne’s renowned café culture, introducing a sense of urban familiarity and connecting people through shared daily rituals. These layered references allow the workplace to speak fluently in the language of culture, community, and innovation.
At its core, the design embodies KBR’s values and reflects a genuine connection to place. Every decision, from spatial planning and materiality to lighting and texture, was guided by cultural respect and functional integrity.
Through this seamless integration of narrative, context, and innovation, the KBR workplace becomes more than a functional environment; it is a living, breathing expression of Melbourne’s past, present, and future.
Design Challenge
The new KBR workplace presented a series of layered challenges demanding both strategic foresight and creative precision. Central to the design was the task of uniting two expansive, separate floorplates into a single, cohesive ecosystem of work, culture, and community. Where multi-level offices often feel fragmented, this design transforms vertical space into a powerful connector, enhancing flow, connection, and shared experience.
At the heart of the workplace, the Level 18 hub acts as both a physical and emotional anchor. By stacking collaborative, social, and breakout spaces across two floors and linking them with an internal staircase, it creates intuitive circulation that encourages informal interaction. This flexible core allows the workplace to shift effortlessly between focused work, casual connection, and large-scale events, without interrupting daily flow.
The design carefully balances visual openness with acoustic control, crafting spaces that feel both connected and collaborative while preserving the privacy and function needed for meetings and events. Supporting diverse working styles and adapting seamlessly to internal and external events required thoughtful zoning, lighting, acoustics, and circulation, ensuring smooth transitions throughout.
The result is a workplace that exceeds the needs of a high-performing organisation, offering a deeper sense of identity, connection, and care. It is a space thoughtfully designed to support people, celebrate culture, and grow with purpose.
Sustainability
Sustainability is embedded in KBR’s new workplace as both a design principle and a long-term commitment to people, place, and the planet. The approach goes beyond environmental efficiency to consider cultural relevance, emotional connection, and the legacy we leave for future generations.
From the outset, the design was guided by a sense of responsibility, integrating sustainable thinking into every aspect of the 2700 sqm space. Locally sourced materials were prioritised to reduce embodied carbon and strengthen regional supply chains, while finishes were chosen for their durability, environmental certifications, and low-VOC content. Natural timbers, recycled stone, and sustainably manufactured textiles bring warmth and integrity to the built environment.
Furniture was thoughtfully repurposed wherever possible, extending the life of existing assets, reducing waste, and proving that sustainability and quality can go hand in hand. Base-building infrastructure was also reused to minimise demolition and maximise efficiency.
Energy-conscious lighting, generous access to daylight, and intuitive spatial planning contribute to reduced energy consumption, while also supporting occupant wellbeing through natural light and views that connect people to the city beyond. Biophilic design further reinforces this connection, with earthy tones and flowing forms that promote calm and a deeper sense of belonging.
Cultural sustainability is equally central. The design honours Wurundjeri traditions and the local landscape, embedding respect and identity into the workplace experience. It is a space designed not only for today’s needs, but to evolve over time, supporting community, fostering care, and contributing to a more thoughtful, resilient future.
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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