Amongst the evolving nature of the office landscape, there is a higher demand for agile, flexible and smarter solutions in workplace design. With the changing pace of how people work, people are spending more time at the workplace and designers need to address the demand for more wellness-centred office models. The future of the working environment needs to adapt to the working needs of the modern employee, through thoughtful, inspiring and considered interiors and furniture pieces. Gone are the days where workplace furniture was just a purely practical element – innovative and dynamic furniture design is essential in driving productivity and finding a healthy balance between aesthetics and purpose.

Melbourne-based design practice, Planex provides adaptive storage furniture for the progressive workplace. The Australian-owned brand specialises in locker solutions for flexible and active environments that empower employees on a daily basis. Their design philosophy, known as ‘built-out obsolescence,’ goes back to 1972 and celebrates furniture solutions that are enduring, elegant and resolved built to last for the future generations.

Redefining the traditional locker, the xLocker range is designed for longevity and a sense for personal space within the workplace. The award-winning xLocker2 provides more than just a utilitarian storage system – it’s a future-proof design that addresses Planex’s core values of sustainabile practices and longevity. As part of Planex’s ongoing commitment to innovation and collaboration, the manufacturing brand engaged Lucy Simpson of Gaawaa Miyay Studio on creating two new locker perforations for the xLocker2. Gaawaa Miyay is built upon the first nations design principles and philosophy of sustainable and sophisticated design. The Sydney-based creative practice embodies a sense of place, infused with a story of heritage and history.

Through close discussions, Lucy and the team at Planex explored the ways in which the workplace is deconstructed and the significance of sustainable practices and culture through refined and thoughtful furniture design. Adding onto its original design of advanced technology, modularity and customised storage solutions, Planex passionately supports the integration of indigenous culture and story within their range of products.

The design evolution of the xLocker2 is artfully crafted to capture a unique sensitivity of place, drawing on Baayangali (the natural world) and a balance with a focus on sustainability, connection and belonging. Lucy reimagined the lockers as a method of wayfinding within an open plan office – creating a locker design that represented mapping place, a signpost, marker and meeting point that translated the exquisite patterns, lines, colours and texture of the Australian landscape and its natural topology.

The designs selected are titled Buunhu (kangaroo grass) and Yuurra-gi (speaks of movement), creating a dialogue that speaks to Lucy’s heritage and culture on the Australian land. It forms a continuous visual narrative across the full width of the lockers doors and end panels repeatedly throughout and acts as a physical interpretation of the unique part of a living culture in functional and innovative design. A story of sensitivity and culture – Lucy pushes the boundaries of the purpose of workplace furniture and retells the story of indigenous culture within the built environment with the xLockers2 by Planex.

Photography by Emma Phillips