This week, I visited 720 Bourke Street, Docklands, Melbourne; headquarters of Medibank Health Insurance. Outside, the building looks like others on the street: dark glass, towering, nothing special.
Inside is a different story. On the ground floor, an area, containing forest floor coloured furniture and a muted green rug provides sanctuary for those waiting for transportation. Arriving about fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, I took the blue ramp up three floors to reception, on the Park level, rather than using a lift.
Wandering up the winding walkway, I wondered how the offices would be arranged. The view up through the middle of the atrium hinted at other colours.
Level six provides a view of a structure of waves and curves. Each floor has a theme colour. Members of staff work in neighbourhoods; housing their locker. They work from home or hot desk.
Each floor provides a kitchen and eating area, a quiet library room, informal meeting areas and rooms, and various styles and configurations of workspaces. There is even an ideation box/cloud on level seven.
The building has been designed to facilitate exercise and maximise healthy choices. A herb garden, outside spaces with seating and barbecues, complete the picture.
It needs some objects d’art and plants.