Image Credit : Simon Whitbread Photography
Project Overview
Facing an expansion of its operations, global pharmaceuticals company Novo Nordisk engaged Sheldon to design its new office over two floors in North Sydney. Having designed their previous office, Sheldon guided Novo Nordisk through a workplace strategy and design process that enabled them to better cater to their team’s diverse needs in a post-Covid, hybrid working world.
This two-floor workplace prioritizes inclusivity through intentional spatial design. Varied zones cater to different working styles, fostering innovative, sustainable, and adaptable ways of working. The separation of collaborative and focus areas over the two floors creates an environment that allows for diversity of employees and their working styles.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
This project involved workplace strategy, design, construction and joinery manufacturing completed by Sheldon Interiors.
Project Brief
Addressing the client's multifaceted brief, Sheldon embarked on a comprehensive workplace strategy, engaging executive leaders and staff to craft a dynamic plan for Novo Nordisk's evolving workspace.
A pivotal aspect of the brief was the delineation of social collaborative areas from quiet focus zones, optimizing functionality for diverse user needs. This emphasis on dedicated spaces not only caters to specific needs but also cultivates tranquil environments beneficial for all occupants.
Our design approach and response to the brief epitomized forward-thinking by aligning with the client's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
The client's brief centered on employee satisfaction, manifesting in the promotion of open-plan workspaces and collaborative hubs, acknowledging the evolving landscape of work dynamics and the significance of fostering social connections within the workplace.
Modularity and sustainability were integral components of the brief, realized through the integration of modular furniture and judicious use of existing materials, thereby minimizing environmental impact and ensuring the longevity of the space.
Through an integrated strategy and collaborative design process, coupled with leveraging internal construction and manufacturing capabilities, Sheldon delivered a transformative space poised to accommodate Novo Nordisk's expanding vision and operations.
Project Innovation/Need
Our design ethos for this project revolved around inclusivity and sustainability, epitomized by the separation of the two floors to accommodate distinct work modes: one dedicated to focused work and the other to collaborative work. This departure from workplace conventions empowers employees to select environments tailored to their individual work styles, fostering a culture of autonomy and productivity.
On Level 6, the focus floor boasts curated spaces such as libraries, quiet rooms, and wellness areas, all offering panoramic harbor views. The extensive integration of biophilic elements harmonizes with earthy green tones and natural materials, creating a serene ambiance conducive to concentration and well-being.
Level 10, the collaborative social floor, serves as a dynamic hub adaptable to the client's evolving needs. Here, optimal natural lighting and scenic vistas support users' Circadian rhythms, while locally manufactured joinery enhances both aesthetics and the tranquil atmosphere. To expand the functionality of the collaboration floor, a large open-plan social space was developed with modular joinery and movable tech so that it could be easily configured for a range of purposes. The adaptability of the area allows Novo Nordisk to use the space for social events, town halls, and presentation panels.
Our strategic layout encourages movement and interaction between floors, nurturing a sense of community and well-being among employees. By repurposing furniture from their previous office and employing sustainable materials such as acoustic paneling, our design not only fosters inclusivity but also embodies the client's commitment to sustainability.
Design Challenge
This project presented a range of design challenges which Sheldon’s team managed through an in-depth workplace and strategy and design process. Engaged at an early stage, Sheldon hosted workshops and surveys with key stakeholders at Novo Nordisk to develop a workplace expansion that was effective in meeting department needs.
This strategy process led to our innovative solution of using two different floors to create distinct zones, taking advantage of the two floors in the building occupied by our client. Feedback from this process showed that employees desired more focused areas and simultaneously more places to socialize and collaborate. The immediate challenge at hand was how to separate spaces so that people could work most effectively without being distracted by other activities.
Lighting design was a further challenge, due to the darkness of some spaces near the lift lobby space at the center of the floorplate. We planned quiet spaces in these areas and used feature pendant lighting to ensure the ambient lighting was ideal. Sheldon’s internal electrical division worked alongside the design team to develop 3D natural light renders and luminance plans to ensure that the lighting system was optimized for electrical efficiency.
Another design challenge of the project was to incorporate existing furniture from Novo Nordisk’s previous fitout into the new design. This was achieved through communication with the client and project teams during the design and FF&E procurement phase to ensure that the existing furniture would suit the palette of the space
Sustainability
Sustainability was a core element of the brief, aligning with both Novo Nordisk’s and Sheldon’s values. This began with reusing as much existing furniture from Novo Nordisk’s office as possible, reducing the need to replace things and send items to landfills.
With the addition of eco-friendly materials such as zero-carbon acoustic paneling and sustainably sourced timber acquired during Sheldon’s joinery manufacturing process, our design creates an inclusive environment and embraces sustainable materials.
The modularity and adaptable elements of the space are also part of our sustainable design strategy; much of the furniture can be moved around to accommodate different needs over time and reduce the need to replace or refurbish the space. Adaptable elements future proofs the space by allowing for additional functions and configurations in case the company expands its operations, which reduces the need for an environmentally costly future redesign.
Sheldon places environmental regeneration at the core of our process, starting from the design phase through to construction. Our joinery manufacturing facility on the Central Coast is key to this. With the use of our electric truck, the deliveries of joinery to our sites is 100% electric, creating zero carbon emissions.
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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