Gray Puksand has completed the design of Australia Post new offices located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. AP180 spans levels 21-26 of the office tower at 180 Lonsdale Street and consolidates several of Australia Post’s multifaceted business streams into one location. The new workspace supports almost 1,000 employees relocated from offices at 111 Bourke St, 80 Collins St, West Melbourne and Mount Waverley.

Completed in June 2015, AP180 reflects a significant evolution of Australia Post’s workplace environment with a focus on employee wellbeing, staff engagement, collaboration and innovation in response to change as technology enables new flexible modes of working. Australia Post’s AP180 Project Director, Sandra Maltman said the main drivers were to create a workspace that embedded a culture and behaviours for employees that enabled them to deliver exceptional customer service to everyone, everywhere and every day.

Six themes, one for each level, are reflected in a unique selection of products and materials with a focus on Australian furniture and lighting design. Meandering paths and workstation layouts, which incorporate a variety of settings including standing height meeting spaces, sit-to-stand desks, collaboration zones, causal retreat spaces and informal gathering spaces, exemplify Gray Puksand’s response to the emerging ideals of health based working environments.

In direct response to the staff engagement process, the fit-out also includes a creative space, a retreat area and winter garden rooms which embrace the wellness aspect of AP180 while custom graphics are a continuous reminder of the tapestry theme. AP180 aims to achieve a Sustainable 5 Star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia and WELL Building Standard rating by International WELL Building Institute.

Level 21 is dedicated to Community and represents the many faces of Australia Post. Natural materials such as solid timbers and veneer, woollen upholstery and planting enhance the ‘community garden’ ambience of this level. Level 22 embraces colour and is all about the theme of Spectrum, broad spectrums of people, employees, services and customers. Convergence, on level 23, harnesses ideas of innovation and intelligence, and features warm timber and copper tones with a refined corporate, yet casual sophistication.

Swarm, on level 24, refers to the swift action of groups coming together to resolve problems and creating a new ways to resolve problems and identify customer needs for Australia Post. Level 25 features knotted and woven pendant lights, textures and pattern to reinforce the theme of Weave, highlighting the strength and integrity which results from collaborative engagement across each business area of Australia Post.

Silver and crystal tones and accents are a prominent feature of level 26. Here, the theme of Brilliance acknowledges the many facets of Australia Post which together, sharpen the business acumen through collaboration.

Design: Gray Puksand
Project Team: Heidi Smith, Partner & Project Leader | Sian Wright, Lead Interior Designer | Clare Jennings, Interior Designer | Phil Calleja, Lead Documentor
Photography: Mark Duffus

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