When designing a contemporary workplace, the new Medibank office by Gray Puksand shows us how to put employee wellbeing first.

As the nature of work and the workplace continues to evolve, it’s becoming apparent that the key to a successful office is functionality, versatility and a design aesthetic that communicates a company’s ethos without compromising on productivity. The Medibank office in Sydney’s CBD has been designed to address all of these factors in their bright new contemporary workplace.

Designed by Gray Puksand Architects, the Medibank office has been created with connection to place at front of mind. Distinctly “Sydney” in design and aesthetic, the office communicates a personality that is specific to its context: an evolution of the Medibank brand that settles itself into its unique location.

Throughout the space, sumptuous materials in rich colours soften the building’s industrial bones. Making a visual reference to the city’s narrative of gentrification, the timber walls, sleek bronze finishes and a marble-topped reception desk are juxtaposed against a ceiling of exposed concrete and piping. Furnishings in emerald green and deep browns tie in the jewelled hues of the harbour and bushland, while fresh plants provide greenery reminiscent of the coastline.

In close collaboration with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Cultural Heritage Association, Medibank and the team at Gray Puksand made it a priority to respect the Traditional Owners of the land in the development of its George Street office. References to Indigenous elements are prominent throughout the meeting rooms paired with the decorative artworks by Aboriginal owned business, Dreamtime Art.

Contemporary, textural and honest in design, the office also offers flexibility and productive interaction as a core element. Adaptable seating and standing desks are prominent through the space, as well as new technological additions that ensure the workday is as efficient and seamless as possible. Break out tables, pods and multi-use meeting rooms also offer a balance between collaborative and private working that ensures productivity is always front and centre.

Carrying efficiency through to the kitchen, the inclusion of a Zip HydroTap offers a sophisticated solution to hydration. Offering instant filtered boiling, chilled or sparkling water, the employees are spoilt with choice as they stay hydrated with the help of Zip. The choice of a matte-gold finish also ensures that the tap is positioned as a feature in the open-plan setting: a luxurious touch on top of the terrazzo marble kitchen counters.

A product of exceptional quality and fashionable practicality, the Zip HydroTap elevates any communal area and provides a reliable source of water. A pioneer in creating a unique hydration design system and combined with an inspiring workplace design, the Zip HydroTap is an opulent extension of the Medibank brand’s belief in promoting the importance of employee health and wellbeing in the workplace.

The Medibank office is the perfect example of an office space that is more than just a workplace; it is a space that is inspiring, vibrant and dynamic and represents a brand that puts its employees’ comfort first.

Photography by Robert Walsh.