The Strategy/Solution: The initial focus of the project team was conducting a strategic briefing process with the senior leadership team and key stakeholders of McGrathNicol. This process involved reviewing and challenging the current work paradigms and envisioning a new work environment that would enable the aspirations of the McGrathNicol team and complement the market standing and perception of the McGrathNicol brand.
McGrathNicol had selected 20 Martin Place for their new workplace and PCG assisted in concluding the lease negotiations of this landmark restoration, over levels 12 & 13. This would allow McGrathNicol to inhabit a civic landmark and central CBD location with improved proximity to clients and CBD retail precincts and achieve their design objectives.
As the focus then shifted to the workplace interiors and construction, the main planning and design objectives were defined as follows:
- Promote staff interaction, foster improved connectivity, collaboration and flexibility, with a principle objective to ‘get people together’.
- Craft a new spatial experience, reflecting the McGrathNicol band and culture, that was welcoming to staff and clients alike
- Reflect a culture of transparency
- Maximising the impressive views of Martin Place and the natural sunlight the location of the new office offered
With a relocated side building core, extended floor plates and a new fully glazed façade, 20 Martin Place advantageously facilitated the design goals of connection. An open plan office environment was created that would allow staff to “reconnect” across the open floor plate. An internal central staircase links the two floors, promoting and enabling interaction and movement between all departments. Space around the stairs was activated as multi-use areas with collaborative hubs and casual meeting spaces for employees.
The McGrathNicol reception was designed to impress via the use of materials and setting. Warm timbers, white marble and neutral tones with bold black contrasts, provide a modest, smart and welcoming client experience. Cleverly positioned, the sun-lit waiting area takes advantage of the floor to ceiling windows, overlooking Martin Place. Similarly, public meeting rooms including the 20-person boardroom, take advantage of the sunlight coming in from the views over the Place. The meeting rooms were designed to afford flexibility and agility. Highly responsive to the current and future requirements of the organisation, operable walls allow for smaller meeting room use or can be opened completely for full business or client events, with a catering kitchen as support.
Within the back of house area, all offices feature acoustic privacy with glazed frontages, reinforcing the transparent nature of the business. Open plan accommodation runs alongside the façade windows allowing as many staff as possible to take advantage of the view and health benefits of daylight. Whilst the light woods, brightly coloured cushions and quality appliances, included within the main kitchen encourages utilisation and supports employees to stay in house, relaxing, conversing or collaborating as they choose.
