Relocating to their new Melbourne home, online art and design marketplace Redbubble envisioned a space that would inspire their people, while nurturing an inclusive culture as their business grows.
As a startup that experienced rapid growth, Redbubble’s brief to Unispace was simple; to create a new, larger space to encourage connection. Coinciding with Covid-19 lockdowns and a new Redbubble CEO coming onboard, the project quickly evolved. Unispace and Redbubble took the opportunity to comprehensively reimagine the space, and to redesign Redbubble’s ways of working. Working in close partnership, Unispace’s design for Redbubble combined their vision and strategy, designing for a larger space that would accommodate their future growth and enable them to adapt to an agile workstyle. Unispace presented Redbubble with detailed space metrics and transit impact mapping. The strategy then led into a design that was well aligned with Redbubble’s creative vision and company culture.
AN INCLUSIVE SPACE, SUPPORTING VARIED WAYS OF WORKING
With diverse teams ranging from creatives to engineers, Redbubble’s new home was designed to ensure all employees felt welcome and excited to return to the workplace. To support staff to do their best work, a workstation was allocated for every employee, whilst also providing alternative work settings so staff have choice over their location during the day.
Workplace strategy formed a significant component of this project, achieved through connecting with all levels of Redbubble’s team. Unispace conducted its WorkReady survey of all staff, focus groups and leadership interviews to ensure that the new space was designed to meet everyone’s diverse needs.
INCLUSIVITY, FLEXIBILITY AND BELONGING ARE THE LINCHPINS OF THIS UNIQUE WORKPLACE
Meeting rooms, workstations, focus pods and collaboration tables support Redbubble’s hybrid way of working. Additional facilities include wellness spaces, casual lounges, gender-neutral bathrooms and a large communal kitchen for employees to cook together.
To further champion collaboration in this workplace, the expansive entry and breakout space were designed to encourage social interaction throughout the day. The entry space makes a dynamic first impression, featuring a gallery that showcases Redbubble’s artists and merchandise, and immediately connects visitors with the brand. This space also has flexible joinery to allow for large gatherings.
CONNECTION AMONG EMPLOYEES AND THE ARTISTS THAT MAKE UP THE REDBUBBLE COMMUNITY WAS A KEY FOCUS
This workplace prioritises collaboration and connection, which is central to Redbubble’s business. Connection amongst their employees and to the artists that make up their vibrant community is what makes this company tick.
With this community in mind, Redbubble partnered with creative management agency Just Another Agency to launch the Pillar Program. This initiative was designed to keep employees connected to the local artistic community. The space includes 12 concrete columns wrapped with the work of local street artists, giving emerging artists an opportunity to create large-scale works on public display. Works are rotated monthly via an Instagram competition run through Just Another Agency, maintaining a strong connection with this local community of artists.
Project: Redbubble
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Design Studio: Unispace
Photo Credit: Shannon McGrath
Website: unispace.com
