A Look Inside Open Universities Australia’s Cool Melbourne Office

Open Universities Australia, a higher education organisation that allows students study and graduate online, hired interior design firm Spectrum Australia Group to design their new office in Melbourne, Australia.

“The requirement was to create innovative open spaces that were dynamic, interactive, team orientated, multi-functional and a collaborative new workplace that encouraged a culture of connectivity. The process was open, collaborative and engaging from the start with “Blue Sky Thinking” workshops, and ongoing focus group input. The new office is a colourful intervention over the 2700m2 space, leveraging 3 story high atrium ceilings in the Reception and Town Hall meeting spaces with full height trees creating a relaxing welcoming environment on arrival. The open plan spaces are lined with writable walls which are constantly changing. The core messages are reflected in unique and amazing graphics with bold statements and colour. From the dedicated staff hub, the corporate feel has been abandoned and is now overlayed with a comfortable residential and fun vocabulary. Casual meetings are held over a game of pool and the street mural artist has created an urban vibe around the flexible multi-meeting gathering zones. Open Universities have adopted the changes which has had a positive impact on the new possibilities for workplace culture. The Spectrum Australia team took ownership of the design, construction and project management processes. The project was delivered on time and within budget. A traditional leaf burning ceremony was held at the opening to acknowledge the Wiradjuri Tribe being the originals land owners,” says Spectrum Australia Group

• Location: Docklands – Melbourne, Australia
• Date completed: 2017
• Design: Spectrum Australia Group
• Photos: Nicole England