Why Westpac is redefining the workplace
A wellness centre, outdoor cinema and staff concierge are just a few of the features that make Westpac’s new workplace at Barangaroo one of the most dynamic office environments in Australia.
The first tenancy to be occupied within Sydney’s Barangaroo South precinct, Westpac’s 27-floor office is home to 6,0 employees.
Lendlease worked in close partnership with Westpac, architecture firm Geyer and the project team to deliver a workplace on the cutting-edge of agile working, technology and amenity.
The office features a range of workstation settings, including collaborative and quiet spaces, traditional meeting rooms and a dedicated ‘innovation hub’.
Staff also have access to 2-seat multi-function spaces, two internal cafés with spaces to work, and a training and development zone.
A wellness centre offers fitness classes and one-on-one consultations with health professionals, while a large outdoor terrace features an outdoor cinema, barbecue facilities and vegetable gardens. A staff concierge offers dry cleaning and technology support.
Westpac’s wellness strategy has hit the mark. Employees reported a 16 per cent increase in being able to “do their best” and personal wellbeing rose by six per cent after moving into the new office. A 16 per cent spike in collaboration was also recorded.
Westpac Barangaroo, owned by Lendlease, won the Eagle Lighting Australia Award for Best Workplace Project at the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
Alicia Jones, Lendlease’s senior project manager, says the workplace has been intentionally designed to “inspire employees” through agile working that “supports productivity and helps unlock creativity and innovation”.
One of the biggest challenges for the project team was to overcome some negative perceptions of agile working.
Staff have praised the “flexibility and variety of workspaces” alongside the aesthetics, including the natural light and green space. “It’s a beautiful building and place to work,” one employee says.
The environment is in itself a motivator to “perform at the highest level with technology functions that are brilliant and ahead of their time” is the feedback from one employee, while another appreciates the “incidental interactions with people”.
“It is refreshing to be able to change your perspective each day or throughout the day,” another staff member reports.
“Westpac’s new headquarters encapsulates the all-inclusive, innovative approach we took to ensure this was truly a place for its people,” Jones adds.