Project Overview
After more than 15 years in the same Wollongong office, IRT, a provider of services for older Australians, found that its workplace no longer reflected the organisation it had become. It wanted an environment that matched its culture, supported new ways of working and gave people a reason to return to the office. Before deciding whether to relocate or stay, IRT worked with Amicus to understand its options.
A workplace strategy process came first. Amicus engaged employees on how they worked, what they valued and what they needed from a future space. The findings gave IRT the confidence to reinvest in its existing tenancy rather than move.
Design Response
The Amicus interior design team took its cues from the Illawarra landscape. Warm sandstone tones drawn from the escarpment are balanced against calmer coastal hues, giving the workplace a natural, welcoming character tied to its place.
The plan is zoned to suit different types of work. Energetic collaborative areas radiate from a central social hub and give way to quieter library zones for focused work. Between them sits a mix of enclosed meeting rooms, acoustically treated focus spaces, modular workstations and informal touchdown areas, so staff can choose the setting that suits their day.
The social hub anchors the floor. A 20-person boardroom opens up to become a larger town hall, which flows directly into the breakout and kitchen areas. The arrangement works equally well for formal presentations, team gatherings, events and casual conversation.
Technology is built into the experience rather than added on. Meeting spaces are consistent from room to room, so people can move between them without relearning the setup, and flexible presentation capabilities cover everything from everyday collaboration to client events. The intuitive interface encourages adoption.
The refurbishment took place within an occupied tenancy, which called for careful staging and clear communication. Amicus worked alongside IRT to limit disruption and manage risk from strategy through to completion, and supported staff through the change with early engagement and consistent communication.
Outcome
The completed workplace reflects who IRT is today and where it is heading. It gives employees greater choice in how and where they work, balances energy with calm, and supports collaboration, wellbeing and culture. By integrating workplace strategy, design, technology, change management and delivery, the project repositions IRT for the future and gives its people a workplace they want to return to.
