melissa marsden IN T E R IOR DE S IG N E R | S T R AT E GIC E NA BL E R
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LETTER TO YOU
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SAP AUSTRALIA
A modern and dynamic work place for their Australian R&D 06 AUSENCO team Consolidation of 6 premises and several business acquisitions into a singular new building 28 SINGAPORE AIRLINES
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Queensland themed business lounge for VIP travellers
VIRGIN VALET The first touch point on your premium travel experience 30 EVANS & PECK Multifaceted consultancy firm ALLCONNEX WATER taking infrastructure to a new Transformational workplace for level consolidated water utility
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THE BYRON AT BYRON
Serene wetland escape and luxury resort accommodation
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AWARDS, MEMBERSHIPS, MEDIA & CHARITY
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e s o p r u p
...TO CR E AT E E NR IC HING SPAC E S T HROU GH C OL L AB OR AT I V E PA RTNE R SHIP S
L E T T E R TO YOU WOR K PL AC E C OMME RC I A L R E TA IL A IR L INE L OUNG E C OR P OR AT E B OX B A R | R E S TAUR A N T HO SPI TA L I T Y W E L LNE S S | SPA GYM
welcome
As an Interior Designer I have had the great fortune of working with some amazing people, brands and companies, across a broad range of sectors... but the thing that I have been really excited by is how I can facilitate, collate & translate the strategic needs and objectives of YOUR business into an environment which enables YOU to achieve them. My goal is transform your business through strategic design. WHY...? I want everyone to feel like they are part of something amazing! You, your team, your employees, your clients, your suppliers... I understand the commercial reality of business and how what I do impacts on your bottom line.
T HE E ND R E S ULT
an enriching space
y my monke A WOMAN IS LIKE A TEA BAG. YOU CAN’T TELL HOW STRONG SHE IS UNTIL YOU PUT HER IN HOT WATER. Eleanor Roosevelt
A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...
Strategic C ON S OL I DAT ION FIRM Smith Madden | PHOTOGRAPHER Aperture
Significant growth and a number of acquisitions meant a new corporate head office for global engineering firm Ausenco, but first a detailed audit of their current space was required to establish the brief and future direction.
“in g e nui t y b y ex a mple ”
F
ollowing a number of mergers and acquisitions, Ausenco experienced significant growth within a very constrained timeframe, resulting in the procurement of several sites to satisfy their accommodation needs. This accelerated growth resulted in a work place that contained several varying cultures, a multitude of fitout styles and a lack of understanding as to how their employees were working and what support was required to facilitate them in their day to day activities. The first and most important step was to complete a strategic accommodation review, engaging with employees from a vertical cross section of the organisation to establish a set of guiding principles for the development of the new office environment. These principles established new workstyles and supporting spaces & technology to ensure that the way people within the organisation needed to work was supported by the physical built environment. Ausenco is an international mining & engineering company with offices in various locations across the world, but more importantly with mines in remote global locations. The office space required to support all these workplace functions both locally and internationally. A range of physical spaces were introduced into the workplace providing employees with the flexibility to choose where and how they worked at any particular time dependant on the task at hand. The spaces included, but were not limited to ; • Workstations • Touchdown Points • Quiet Rooms • War Rooms • Informal lounge area’s • Staff HUB • Coffee bars
At the time of engagement, Ausenco had already pre-committed to 14,000sqm of office space. Following our strategic review and the implementation of recommendations to the Board, only 9,500sqm of office space was required to be fitted out. This study identified a decreased need for office space of 4,500sqm resulting in a fit out cost saving to Ausenco in excess of $4million. The reduced space requirements were due to a rationalisation of workstation styles, office sizes & allocations, the provision of alternative working environments and the implementation of various technological advancements. Not only did this office produce significant cost savings to Ausenco at the front end, Ausenco are reaping the rewards of this collaborative office through improved employee engagement.
the building
Located at 144 Montague Road, South Brisbane, the building comprised 6 levels varying from 1000sqm on the ground floor and Level 5, up to large floor plates of between 2,800 & 3000sqm on Levels 1-4. The total building capacity is 14,500sqm.
workplace study
Due to Ausenco’s growth over a very short period of time, there were considerable challenges we identified that the business was facing; • Through merger and acquisition there were various cultural mergers taking place within each office and a collective “Ausenco Culture” was not present • Numerous acquisitions of additional space to house their growing workforce, resulted in a disjointed workforce, duplication of facilities/amenities and increased facilities management portfolio • A patchwork of fitouts – either acquired from a previous tenant or modified to accommodate an immediate need resulted in inconsistent work spaces, ineffective pockets and in some cases unproductive work practices
Craig Allen | CFO “Change management was part of the pitch, and they drove it. They undertook surveys across various functional groups and project teams, in terms of what our people where looking for in a work space.�
• Understanding how the business units functioned and what changes were necessary to develop a workspace that supported their specific needs • Assisting in developing a better understanding of their employee numbers and what that meant in terms of lettable area and office to workstation ratios • What were the challenges, needs, aspirations and wants of their employees to position the company as an employer of choice moving into the future Delving into the corporate psyche of Ausenco using the tools of the workplace transition study; • Employee surveys from a vertical cross section of staff provided us with key information on; • Organisational cultures and values • Departmental requirements and key adjacencies • Employee sentiments on the adequacy of facilities & amenities • Workspace utilisation [offices, workstations, size and accessories] • Meeting room provisions • Employee openness to recommended change • Suggested improvements or inclusions for the new workplace
• Focus group round table sessions • Workplace Observation Reviews • Review of existing floor planning • Engagement with HR, Corporate Management and Operation Management • Review of Recruitment trends and forecasts • Storage and Filing Audits • Amenities and Facilities Reviews The outcome of this detailed investigation into the organisation culminated in a detailed report, which made recommendations on; • The aesthetic style of the new workplace • Departmental adjacencies, blocking and stacking • Standardisation of office size and design • Standardisation of workstation style and size, including screen heights and accessories • Recommendations on office to workstation ratios • Recommendations on alternative workspaces – quite rooms, informal meeting spaces, collaboration spaces, lounges and breakout facilities • Recommendations on meeting and training facilities – sizes, quantities and appropriate locations • Recommendations on alternative storage solutions to maximise floor space efficiencies.
• Key issues which were identified through the process and suggestions on how these could be addressed/introduced into the new space
the outcomes
In summary, the key outcomes of the workplace transition study were; • Reduction in the number of offices – the line on the organisational chart was moved up
one level, displacing a significant number of team leaders from offices into workstations. The trade off however was the provision of additional storage for these team leaders, positioning in workstations with increased privacy, as well as the provision of quiet rooms at a ratio of 1 quiet room/3 team leaders, to facilitate concentrative work, teleconference and sensitive one on one meetings. • A radical change from 90 degree workstations to 120 degree workstations. There were several benefits that resulted including; • Ergonomically these were more efficient for engineering and drafting, who represented the majority of the workforce, enabling plans to be spread either side of the body for ease of reference • The natural repetition of this workstation style created a highly dynamic, organic and flowing office space. Staff were not contained to rectangular cubicles like battery hens, thereby encouraging communication, collaboration and a genuine sense of community among employees
• The floor plate of the building contained a significant number of columns and as such the 90 degree workstation systems did not provide the same level of flexibility of movement throughout the space to comply with fire egress requirement. As such the 90 degree system required a number of corridors, which increased circulation space and therefore were less efficient than the 120 degrees workstations. • The introduction of “alternative workspaces”. Various informal meeting and collaboration spaces were scattered throughout the floors to ease the pressure on meeting rooms by providing employees with alternative spaces to work, meet or socialise. • The creation of a central “Hub” which staff from all levels were encouraged to utilise throughout the course of the day for coffee, lunch, informal meetings etc. Equipped with several commercial coffee machines, several storage rooms containing, dry storage, fridges,freezers and catering kitchen and a variety of seating
styles and zones. Informal communication is critical to the culture of an organisation and by breaking down the physical barriers of multiple floors, this space encouraged interaction. It was also positioned adjacent two training rooms separated by operable walls enabling the space to be opened into a singular large space for large internal functions. • A large gym along with considerable amenities was introduced. A small room at the previous head office contained several pieces of gym equipment and a shower. Through the survey’s and focus groups it was identified that this was a key aspect of interest. As such the gym was significantly increased and supplemented with toilets, showers, change facilities and a substantial number of lockers. • The filing system was changed from Lever Arch to Lateral achieving a saving of more than 30% on storage space • A cafe is positioned on the ground floor for the employees of the building and their guests. It is also available to the public.
via @lindsayletters.com
BUZZI BOOTH BY ZENITH
A quiet nook for a quick phone call or a few hours of concentrative work these flexible booths dramatically cut ambient noise with their clever sound absorbency
SNOW DROP BY EASTON PEARSON FOR DESIGNER RUGS
A simple and beautiful way to add colour, style and warmth to any space Designer Rugs have partnered with a number of renowned designers to create an eclectic collection of beautiful artworks for the floor.
FIBRE SCULPTURES BY CATRIONA POLLARD
Its wonderful to see such gorgeous handmade arts in a world of mass production http://pinterest.com/source/fibresculptures.posterous.com/
WING CHAIR BY PARCS BENE
Collaborative settings like these add another dimension to the productivty afforded to your employees, empowering them with choice
PA S T EXPE R IE NC E
QANTEC McWILLIAM
PCT ENGINEERS
A small engineering firms premises in a technology park took full advantage of the companies strong branding and graphical representation. Various branding statements and vignettes were introduced through all aspects of the office creating a strong sense of place.
Inspired by the purpose of the organisation - structural and civil engineering, this workplace environment invokes roads and steel construction through its use of materials and integral design. Rusted steel, stainless steel mesh, burnt orange and black quartz carpet are contrasted by stark, glossy white finishes.
Bowen Central Coal
LOVE THE RUG!
MORTIMER CHAMBERS
MEDICAL PROTECTION SOCIETY
Invoking the feeling of a traditional legal chambers, this Barristers office has introduced contemporary finishes to create an “old wordly” charm of days gone by, with a very modern edge.
A simple yet highly collaborative workplace taking on a modernScandinavian feel. The citrus coloured Easton Pearson from Designer Rugs is the focal point of the foyer
brisbane SK Y L INE WILLIAM BUCK’S FOYER PAYS RESPECT TO THE BRISBANE SKYLINE WITH A FACETED WALL CONCEALING THE INTERVIEW ROOMS Projects completed at Smith Madden
premium E XPE R I E NC E
FIRM Smith Madden | PHOTOGRAPHER Aperture
Virgin Australia’s desire to provide their guests with the ultimate in luxury travel led to the creation of the Brisbane Valet. Invoking the lounge atmosphere the space provides Virgin’s premium guests with a seamless transition from car to terminal.
a fluid ME RG E R
FIRM Smith Madden | PHOTOGRAPHER Aperture
The privatisation of three council water utility divisions saw the establishment of Allconnex Water and an environment to support the newly formed organisation. Spread over 5 floors the brief was to create a workplace which demonstrated equality and encouraged communication.
col la b o ra t ion...
A L LC ONNEX WAT E R The merger of three South East Queensland water Utilities saw the formation of Allconnex Water and the immediate requirement to accommodate their 280 strong workforce. An open tender saw 15 Design & Construction companies bidding for the project in a competitive market with tight project parameters; Design & Build 3,500sqm, across 5 floors in under 4 months. Embracing the challenge we took on the project head on. The preliminary brief at tender provided no more information than that described above. Armed with our extensive experience in workplace design and the knowledge that we had gained from working with similar companies coupled with our unique workplace study research we set out to define a brief for the client to work towards; one which they could embrace knowing that what was being presented had been proven to work in other organisations. The reverse brief described the corporate philosophy and design aesthetic we were trying to convey representative of Allconnex Water’s business, “water”. This philosophy embraced colour, pattern & material which was then reflected throughout all facets of the internal space. Each floor was identified by a different complimenting colour scheme to assist in way-finding and departmental identities.
A central hub was established on level 3, central to the organization to encourage internal movement and incidental communication, and to assist in the change management necessary in the event of a merger to develop a “new” culture. Typically when spread across several floors organisations tend to become departmentally insular and not interacting with other departments due to business structure. By creating a centralized communal space, people are drawn into the space, which facilitates a range of activities from coffee, lunch, meetings, collaborative working or even just providing a different work environment for a few hours to recharge. Supporting this increased collaboration throughout the workspace, a range of alternative work points were also provided to enhance team work and communication. Several spaces with flexible furniture centred around fixed whiteboards, enabled teams to come together quickly and work through daily tasks, weekly meetings or even an impromptu brainstorming session. Other more relaxed furniture settings offered a temporary respite from the workstation to conduct more quite contemplative work. Quiet rooms also assisted in easing the noise pressures of the open plan office environment, by providing employees with an insular space to conduct private conversations, complete focused activities or conduct teleconferences.
the board
A multifaceted timber on the wall creates vis interest in the space w irregular shaped timb panels provide acoust lighting and aircondit the space
collaborate a variety of spaces throughout the workplace foster collaboration and informal communication among employees
droom
r installation sual whilst the ber ceiling tic treatment, tioning to
catchment The carved timber wall panels throughout the workplace represents the rivers and water ways of Allconnex Waters catchment
creative S A P AU S T R A L I A FIRM Smith Madden | PHOTOGRAPHER Porfyri
The challenge - to create a professional & corporate aesthetic to visitors whilst achieving a dynamic and inspiring space for the mostly Gen Y R&D team to be creative while they work. The result is a bright and flexible work environment that captures the clients brief and their creativity.
recharge
the staff breakout space brings the outdoors in with plants, grass and outdoor furniture
training break the reception area doubles as an informal meeting and training break out space, complete with its own coffee machine
luxury
L O UNG E E XPE R I E NC E FIRM Smith Madden | PHOTOGRAPHER Aperture
A 250sqm VIP lounge in the Brisbane International Terminal, the space embraces the Singapore Airlines International lounge style whilst giving it locational context in the capital of Queensland, through the blue & gold palette.
cityscape I NF R A S T RU CT U R E FIRM Smith Madden | PHOTOGRAPHER Porfyri
A 3 dimensional representation of Evans & Peck’s core skill set - infrastructure & industrial management. This interior sets the scene from the moment the lift doors opened, setting foot out onto the bitumen like floor against rusted steel panels, embellished with studs,replicating the Storey Bridge.
serene
W E TL A N D S E S C A PE FIRM Haysom Architects
Nestled in the bush on the outskirts of Byron Bay, The Byron at Byron is luxury resort accommodation at its best. Self contained accommodation rambles across the wetlands whilst the central facilities provide the perfect back drop for the ultimate in rest and relaxation.
Nestled in the wetlands just south of Byron Bay this exclusive resort was voted by renowned magazine Conde Nast Traveller as one of the hottest resorts in the world. Designed to blend effortlessly with the grounds that surround it, the resort features 60 apartments, conference facilities, restaurant, gym, day spa, infinity pool and kilometres of board walk through the dense wetlands. The central facilities greet you upon entry to the resort with the open reception space
drawing you in and instantly making you feel welcome and at home, as you look through it to the pool and rainforest beyond. Relaxation is instant. The feel of the resort is natural, and hand crafted featuring works from famous Australian artist Minnie Pwerle in the reception and conference facilities as well as abstracted on the wayfinding signage, and fabric from Cloth - unique designs printed onto hemp fabrics using natural dyes.
PA S T EXPE R IE NC E
MGI WHITEHANCOCK
UNITED GROUP RESOURCES
Embracing the industrial nature of the resource industry this work place reflects the bold colours and rough textures of its roots, contrasted with a calming retreat to escape the pressures of work for a while
An accounting firm with visions of growth led MGI Whitehancock to create a statement space that reflected their corporate image. The “cog� a metaphor for the mental processes and their impact on the next relayed graphically into the built space, both on the floor and carved into the walls
Carlton United Breweries Projects completed at Smith Madden
ALFRESCO LIFESTYLE
AMWAY
A suite of new stores across Australia saw Amway embark on a new range of designs for their retail spaces, coupled with training facilities and public cafe’s making a true destination visit
UNIT DEVELOPMENT
A modern development of 4 townhouses in a growing eastern suburb, focused on the Queensland alfresco lifestyle and modern living, these interior space are fresh promoting an entertainers lifestyle that suits every demographic
24hr F I T NE S S A FRESH AND FUNKY SPACE FOR A NEW REVOLUTION IN HEALTH & FITNESS
awards
M E M BE R S H I P S + M E DI A
Nokia Business Innvoation Award marie claire Young Business Woman of the Year
WINNER Brisbane Young Manager of the Year
CUBBY HOU SE C H A L L E NG E After introducing Smith Madden to Kids Under Cover, the Melbourne office joined the 2012 Cubby House Challenge taking out “Best Architectural Design Award”, “Best Craftmanship Award” and the “People’s Choice Award”. I have personally continued to support the charity through their Brisbane arm where possible via corporate introductions and charity events with a long term view of establishing the Cubby House Challenge in Brisbane. Kids Under Cover are a not for profit, who work to prevent youth homelessness through the provision of studio’s within the family yard for at risk youth to remain part of the family unit, educational scholarships and mentoring programmes.
why work with me ...? I’m a communicator - I guide you through the process and present it
in a way you can understand & keep you informed on where we are at and where we are going
I’m solutions focused - whilst there is process that needs to be
followed in every project its getting to the solution that is the winning focus. If you only focus on the process you’re sure to miss the obvious solutions that each project presents you with.
I understand the problem - most people have an idea of one way
they can fix their problem, but unless you really understand the problem and its underlying factors, you may only be masking the issue rather than creating a long term resolution.
I’ve got the experience - my broad range of skill sets enables me to
look at each project from a number of different perspectives, this ensures we’ve got more bases covered and a greater opportunity of nailing the winning solution.
I want to be your PARTNER - I work alongside my clients, in their
business to experience their culture, vision and values first hand. I work collaboratively in partnership with my clients. I’ve always found the outcome far more successful. Who knows your business better than you?
melissa marsden
04 4 8 4 8 1 123 | me l i s s a @ m a rs dencolle c t i ve.com .au