Sheldon’s four-floor design of a Commonwealth Government Agency in Canberra showcases innovative design and the full potential of government workspaces, supporting its new ways of working.
Government workplaces are no longer tired places with outdated designs. New workplaces and ways of working highlight the need for innovative, inviting and sustainable design across all sectors, and the government is no exception. Sheldon was engaged to design and construct four floors of a Commonwealth government agency in Canberra. Sheldon created a workspace that is future proofed and flexible enough to meet changing workplace needs. It’s a space that can expand, contract and adapt while supporting the agency’s employee value proposition for attracting and retaining the best people.
THE WORKPLACE IS THE GATEWAY TO THE ORGANISATION
During the design process, Sheldon collaborated with workplace strategists to understand the government’s new ways of working and requirements. Extending over four floors, this agency’s headquarters is the gateway to its organisation. The space is an impressive new home for staff facilitating a keen return to the office. Several meeting and collaborative spaces ensure the space is functional whilst inspiring innovation and creativity. The variety of collaboration zones encourage micro communities within the space, while the light filled kitchen breakout provides an opportune space for relaxation and staff gatherings.
Sheldon aimed to encourage movement throughout the large space across all four floors in which teams are spread out. Different work settings are provided throughout the space to encourage people to change their setting suited to their activity throughout the day. Sit to stand workstations and hot desks were a key component in facilitating this. Sheldon’s inhouse manufacturing team built custom designed lockers where staff can leave clothes, to enable staff exercise routines and support overall workplace wellbeing.
INNOVATIONS IN JOINERY
To enhance sustainability for this project, Sheldon designed and constructed a modular meeting room display unit, affectionately named the “Peterman” that can be used in meeting rooms and offices. The units were designed to be relocated and re-used in the future, as a means of reducing environmental impact and pressure on landfill. Joinery that is procured through Sheldon’s in-house manufacturing means Sheldon manages supply chain risks during a tight construction time frame, as much is manufactured locally. Other noteworthy joinery pieces created for this project include modular furniture, lockers and feature perforated ceiling tiles.
To meet the agency’s AV integration requirements, Sheldon worked with their AV provider by involving our dedicated electrical/data Project Manager to collaborate early on in the process. This ensured a seamless and timely delivery of AV integration. Sheldon’s internal manufacturing division also created an efficient wall unit that incorporated the AV requirements whilst integrating with the overall design concept.
Sheldon worked with the agency’s Indigenous Procurement Policy and developed an Indigenous Procurement Plan to achieve this across all four floors. Sheldon incorporated the use of furniture, contractors, artworks and artifacts supplied by First Nations businesses to create a workplace that acknowledges and celebrates the First Nations culture and people of the region.
Project: Commonwealth Government Agency
Size: 4,540 sqm
Location: Canberra, Australia
Design Studio: Sheldon
Photo Credit: Kasey Funnell
Website: sheldon.com.au
