A Warm, Welcoming Staff Environment

To encourage a contemporary way of working for the Research Portfolio staff at La Trobe University, the design breaks away from the conventions of a typical office fitout. The open office floor plan is broken down into smaller semi-enclosed studios for staff to work closely in their teams. Each studio is owned by the team, rather than the individual, creating a 'household' and boundaries between studios are blurred. To create a warm, welcoming staff environment, we introduced a vibrant colour palette, accented by the use of timber throughout the space. The Victorian ash glazing details create cozy nooks with acoustic benefit, while the white birch multiply lockers punctuate the corridors, semi enclosing the studios and providing rhythm through the spine of the space. Engineered oak floors through the breakout space marry with the oak veneer wall panelling to provide a high end space for both staff and visitors.