Image Credit : Photo and video by Steve Scalone
https://www.stevescalone.com/
Project Overview
No longer an afterthought, this luxurious end-of-trip space in the iconic building at 287 Collin St Melbourne, demonstrates what is possible with considered interior design, elevating end-of-trip facilities into the forefront of workspace design and client investment.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Designer- Susan Illingworth
Project Manager- Shaun Geleit
Project Brief
In a prominent pocket of Melbourne’s CBD, the end-of-trip facilities at 287 Collins more closely resemble a sophisticated day spa than workplace. The refined palette and curved lines throughout pay homage to the Art Deco building, while the selection of durable materials and strategic placement of luxury facilities ensure optimum functionality.
The design’s loyalty to the legacy of the building, even in a space typically prioritising functionality, demonstrates the importance of end-of-trip facilities in how employers recruit and maintain top talent in a 2023 workplace. With the “shift to quality” in office design, these end-of-trip facilities elegantly encourage the team to make their way back into the office, meeting every need for the modern commuter in this sophisticated space.
Project Innovation/Need
This stunning space offers the perfect blend of luxury and functionality, setting a new benchmark for end-of-trip facilities design and redefining the modern workplace experience.
Honouring place, the design incorporates elements from the 1940s lobby to create a cohesive transition between spaces and provide a seamless user experience echoing the building’s historic charm. This is reflected in the curved edges seen in the arched mirrors and walkways, rounded joinery corners, and sweeping curved ceiling.
The palette exudes sophistication, with brushed brass accents and floor-to-ceiling tiling, featuring over 10,000 tiles of elegant Calcutta-inspired vertical stacks and feature walls of intricate hexagon mosaic tiles. Caesarstone benchtops and timber tones create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Moody black ceilings heighten the impact of these finishes, giving the space a sense of depth and grandeur.
Our designer collaborated with Five At Heart, experts in cycling facilities, to ensure all the needs of commuters are met. Durability and functionality were at the forefront of the design, offering a variety of amenities to make the transition from exercising at work or commuting to work as easy as possible - including ample bike storage, lockers, showers, airing cupboards, towel stations, chilled water, and even steamers for work garments.
To step into this space is to be transported to an innovation in design and functionality. Blending the grace of a bygone era with the best in modern materiality, methods and functionality, this space anchors the visitor in time, place, and purpose.
Design Challenge
The design challenge was to create a functional and accessible space that did not compromise on luxury for patrons who choose a sustainable commute option, such as cycling or walking, to their workplace.
Now more than ever, the attention to this often-overlooked design space is relevant in the post pandemic and hybrid working world.
The strategic use of space maximises flow and accessibility – including wheelchair access - and ensures patrons can easily transition through the space at peak times.
The design incorporated a bike room with additional storage, cleverly incorporating robust high-impact Rugapol flooring, as well as State-of-the-art double-stacked and wishbone bike racks to maximise capacity.
Transforming a windowless blank canvas into a modern art deco oasis, lighting is intentionally used throughout, both to honour the origins of the space with thoughtful fixtures, and to create the ideal environment for patrons to get ready for the day. With backlit vanity and full-length mirrors, every detail has been considered to make the space not only functional but visually stunning.
Overall, the goal was to remove common barriers that cyclists or pedestrians face in their commute or exercising at work, by providing a beautiful facility that meets their every need.
With an extraordinary blend of old-world charm paired with the best of modern design ingenuity, the result is a space that supports active and sustainable choices without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
Sustainability
If 10% of Australian commuters cycled to work, according to a study by the Cycling Promotion Fund, it would reduce carbon emissions by approximately 435,000 tonnes per year. These statistics demonstrate the significant impact that cycling or walking to work can have on reducing carbon emissions in Australia, and the role that individual actions can play in mitigating climate change.
The responsibility can’t be wholly on the individual, however, and place makers have the opportunity to craft spaces which encourage and reward the choice to commute by bike or foot, allowing those choices to be a sustainable behaviour in the long term.
While oozing luxury, this space encourages sustainable commuting and active pursuits by removing common perceptual barriers which employees face from pedestrian design, supporting holistic wellbeing and a more environmentally-friendly workplace.
End of Trip Facilities such as this exemplary offering at 287 Collins Street are just one of the ways employers, designers and builders can empower businesses and their people to live a healthier, happier, and more environmentally sustainable lifestyle.
Interior Design - 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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