Department of Transport Workplace

The Department of Transport design had to respond to a post pandemic world which challenged the government tenants’ boundaries of workplace design. The design contested standard rows of workstations for instead, a multitude of open collaboration areas and project spaces. These spaces were designed with fully agile work settings, power anywhere, lighting that is fully adaptable and tailorable. The workplace has become a stage for the different work settings to support the department’s functions.

We knew we had to approach this project with a new methodology in stakeholder engagement not only because the client didn’t necessarily want change, but also because covid happened. Through a series of intensive and ongoing briefings, workshops and design presentations, rather than the traditional presentation packages that designers would normally use, we used 3d fly- throughs as a critical design tool.

The Department of Transport is a true standout for a government project, done differently. The project sets a new standard for a government workplace in sustainability, amenity and in agile workstyle settings. A workplace for engineers, the directive was to design a purposeful workplace without decoration. The outcome is a sophisticated design that addresses the operational and aspirational requirements and offers an agile environment that supports multiple functions for the department becoming a pinnacle for government workplace design.

The consultation with community was twofold, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Association was brought on early in the project to advise on the design approach and engaged to provide artwork throughout the spaces. . Over the two years of build, we sat on the Maroondah Council Board, and provided ongoing communication about the building and what it would deliver to the local community which included the sustainability accreditation, increased security on a previously derelict site and over $50,000 per week in local economic benefit. Located on the ground floor the VicRoads Customer Hub is designed to create a more streamlined customer journey. The Customer Hub supports VicRoads team members’ over-the-counter service and includes facilities such as photo booths for license photos, eye charts on electronic screens, and consultation areas for more extensive customer engagement and training. More than that, the new design breaks down barriers between client and customer, to support a better customer experience.