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architect Bates smartlocation sYdneY | aUsProJect goodman

words elana castlePhotograPhY richard glover & marcUs clinton

CULTURE SHOCKAfter A competitive design selection process, goodmAn, the globAl property speciAlists, selected bAtes smArt to re-imAgine its new sydney heAdquArters, herAlding A culturAl shift in the business

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When Simon Swaney was asked by the directors of Goodman about Bates Smart’s design for the company’s Sydney headquarters, his response was instrumental in sealing

the deal. “I explained that the new workplace would effect real cultural change,” explains Swaney. “Our design represented a more flexible, engaging way of working that we felt would inject a new energy into the business.”

Goodman had been operating out of cramped, technologically outdated offices for over nine years. The company had grown substantially and physical office divisions, mountains of paperwork and an outmoded fit-out had engendered inter-staff isolation and a reduced morale. Coupled with an expiring lease, which prompted an evaluation of their office operations and working style, the company produced, “Space to Work”, a manifesto which outlined the company’s vision for increased inter-staff collaboration, space-use efficiency and overall productivity.

Simultaneously, two floors higher up in the same Castlereagh Street building, became available. “The footprint was almost the same,” explains David Wilson, Development Manager at Goodman. “But because we planned to greatly reduce the amount of work stations, paperwork and storage facilities, we jumped at the opportunity.” “Space to Work” proposed the integration of activity-based working (ABW) into the new fit-out, which would dispense with the unnecessary real estate taken up by permanent workstations and storage facilities in exchange for a highly flexible space and mobile technology.

Physical office divisions, mountains of paperwork and an outmoded fit-out had engendered inter-staff isolation and a reduced morale

ELANA CASTLE

oPening Page and oPPosite The central staircase, flanked by open plan meeting spacesaBove Corner, perimeter office spaces allow borrowed light into the general office space

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“ We wanted to create a sustainable workplace that would reflect Goodman’s professionalism and the standard of their own property developments.”

BRENTON SMITh

“Goodman’s thorough research also revealed that over the course of a week, only 60% of staff were present in the Sydney CBD location,” explains interior designer Brenton Smith. “In an office of only 180 people, that represented quite a big proportion of the staff.” ABW made perfect sense, but it was also clear that Bates Smart needed to ensure that it worked in an intimate context. This was achieved through the use of a variety of work stations, breakout and social areas and visual connectivity across the space. “We didn’t want to create an adult kindergarten, a frivolous, short-term solution that we’re seeing quite frequently,” adds Smith. “We wanted to create a sustainable workplace that would reflect Goodman’s professionalism and the standard of their own property developments.”

Bates Smart also recognised the need to physically and visually connect the Australian and global arms of the business which had become separated. “We created a double-volume void in the reception area, visually and practically linking the two divisions and floors via an open stair,” explains Smith. The result is a dramatic entry space, where the primary architectural features, including metal louvre screens, industrial-scale ceiling panels, a saw-tooth clerestory “window” and concrete coloured f loors – subtly reference Goodman’s industrial developments.

Elana Castle is a freelance writer based in Sydney.

aBove Staff lockers provide a graphic design elementoPPosite Coveted corner spaces are allocated to open plan meeting and working spaces

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interior design Bates Smartdesign team Simon Swaney, Brenton Smith, Ingrid Farago, Kellie Payne, Herbee Guitierrez, Laura CookBUilding consUltant ISISservices engineer Aureconlighting consUltant Point of ViewcertiFication Blackett Maguire Goldsmith

time to comPlete 9 monthstotal Floor area 2,400 m2

Bates smart(61 2) 8354 5100 | batessmart.com.au

FUrnitUre In Reception Area, ‘Gaston’ and ‘Sake’ armchair from Poliform. B&B Italia ‘Eileen’ table from Space Furniture. In Meeting Rooms, B&B Italia Project ‘Luta’ chair from Space Furniture. In Level 17 and 18 Work Zones, ‘Summer’ sofa from Temperature Design and ‘Ear’ chairs from Prooff. In Level 18 Meeting Room, ‘Lotus Modular’ lounge from Interstudio. Generally throughout Level 18 and Level 17, ‘Rubis’ solid timber tables from Interstudio, ‘Eames’ segmented table from Work Arena and ‘April’ dining table from Zuster.

Finishes In Meeting Rooms, carpet from Rugs Carpet & Design, woven metal mesh ceiling from Locker Group and AV wall units by Woven Image. Throughout Offices, carpet from Interface. In Level 17 Reception, custom rug from Rugs Carpet & Design. Generally throughout, upholstery by Pelle Leathers, joinery by Instyle and Laminex. Perspex throughout by All Plastics.

FiXtUres In Level 18 Staff Kitchen, ‘Quadrato Double Bowl’ kitchen sink by Abey. In Level 17 Servery and Level 18 Staff Kitchen, dishwasher by Blanco, and Ariston microwave from Harvey Norman.

All Plastics (61 2) 9417 6111 allplastics.com.au Harvey Norman (61 2) 9710 4155 harveynorman.com.au Instyle (61 2) 9317 0222 instyle.com.au Interface 1800 008 101 interfaceflor.com.au Interstudio 1300 785 199 interstudio.com.au Laminex 1800 002 204 laminex.com.au Locker Group (61 3) 8791 1000 lockergroup.com.au Pelle Leathers (61 2) 9460 9222 pelleleathers.com.au Poliform (61 2) 8339 7570 poliform.com.au Prooff (31) 10 211 0080 prooff.com Rugs Carpet & Design (61 2) 9519 8555 rc-d.com.au Space Furniture (61 2) 8339 7588 spacefurniture.com.au Temperature Design (61 2) 9517 1004 temperaturedesign.com.au Work Arena (61 2) 8570 5700 workarena.com.au  Woven Image 1800 888 650 wovenimage.com Zuster (61 2) 8394 9888 zuster.com.au

goodman

leFt The first floor staff kitchen area which flanks the new stairwell voidright The office hub features the staff kitchen, a range of café style furniture and a small library

A KEy pLAyER REfLECTS ON ThE TRANSfORMATION Of GOODMAN’S SyDNEy OffICE SpACE

in discUssion

We ask David Wilson,

Development Manager at

Goodman, about the impact

of ABW on the Goodman

workplace, one year on

h ow did you prepare for the integration of ABW? We consulted ABW specialists

Veldhoen and Co, who suggested a number of new technologies including laptops for all staff, follow-me- printing, mobile headsets, electronic meeting room booking systems and electronic filing. Then we worked with Bates Smart to develop the spatial design. Lastly, we provided information sessions and training to all Goodman staff on the new processes and principles. There was some initial resistance, in particular people feeling uprooted from their permanent work stations. Has that attitude changed?We have had an overwhelmingly positive response. Not only do people enjoy their mobility within the space but there is a much stronger sense of community. Morale is high, turnover is low, there is increased connectivity on all levels and a real sense pride in the space. It’s also had a positive effect on the hiring of new staff.Is there a trend towards the same people occupying the spaces that boast the best views?On occasion, but typically people move around given that it’s a very mobile

workforce. In addition, people who work in teams tend to move around together. Through ABW everyone gets a view if they want it. We flattened the hierarchy and freed up the perimeter for that very reason.How do you maintain the clean space environment? Clutter quickly becomes apparent. fortunately we are now almost paper-less. In the past, we used to print out our large format plans and reams of documentation. Now we can load any document onto any one of the screens or whiteboards in the open plan work space or meetings rooms. What do you think was the most effective element of the open app- roach working environment?Bates Smart’s decision to completely open up the reception area and a corner of the floor plan. We had many debates about it, as it also brings the communal staff area into the space but it’s worked out really well, connecting clients to the inner workings of the business. How was ABW impacted your running costs? There has been 50% reduction in paper usage and 46% reduction in power usage, representing a significant cost saving.