WorkArena recently hosted a ‘Design With Impact’ session presented by Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research & Planning at MillerKnoll (USA), who made a bold statement in the About Place – Always Innovating, Podcast series.

Sydney is the most progressive market on the planet when it comes to workplace strategy and design. – Ryan Anderson

As an Authorised MillerKnoll Dealer and a contributor to this dynamic progressive workspace design landscape, WorkArena is proud to explore and share what the world can learn from Australia’s innovative approach to workplace design and strategy, contributing significantly to this forward-thinking approach over the past two decades.

The Australian Advantage for Workspace Planning and Design Projects

Australia’s unique position in the world of workplace design and strategy isn’t a coincidence. Several factors contribute to its progressive stance, as highlighted by Australian Workplace Designers & Consultants Domino Risch and Kirsten Brown during the recent About Place Podcast hosted by Ryan Anderson.

1. Financial Arrangements in Commercial Real Estate

Domino Risch points out that one of the key drivers of innovation in Australian workplace design is the financial structure of commercial real estate. High levels of incentives from the Government and landlords flexibility, contributing to the cost of workplace fit-outs, allow organisations to invest more in high-quality workplaces. This financial model enables companies to create more innovative and employee-centric spaces.

2. Optimal Lease Duration

Risch also notes that the average commercial tenancy lease in Australia is around seven years, striking a balance between stability and flexibility. This timeframe is long enough to learn from workplace designs but short enough to allow for regular evolution and experimentation. It creates a cycle of continuous improvement and innovation in workplace strategy.

3. Relaxed Corporate Culture

Australia’s corporate culture is characterised by what Risch calls a “happy-go-lucky, relaxed kind of corporate culture.” This cultural aspect translates into workplace environments that are less formal and more open to experimentation, fostering innovation in design and strategy.

4. Collaborative Industry

Kirsten Brown highlights that the Australian workplace design industry is marked by a high degree of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Competitors often tour each other’s offices, exchanging ideas and learnings. This open approach accelerates innovation and helps spread best practices across the industry.

What can the world learn from Australia’s approach to workplace design and strategy?

As workplace design continues to evolve globally, Australia’s progressive approach offers valuable insights for the rest of the world. By embracing flexibility, leveraging technology, prioritising wellbeing, and fostering collaboration, organisations worldwide can create more effective, efficient, and enjoyable workplaces.

1. Embrace Flexibility and Activity-Based Working

Australian workplaces have been at the forefront of activity-based working (ABW) and non-allocated desking. As Risch explains, “That’s the norm now, that’s most workplaces. You wouldn’t find a workplace that many that still remain, that you still have allocated desking, particularly with hybrid arrangements.”

2. Integrate Technology for Smart Workplaces

Australia is exploring cutting-edge technologies to create ‘elastic’ workspaces. Risch describes a project using technology to create dynamic, daily-changing workspaces: “Everybody uses the technology to flag their intention to be there on any given day… It will drive everybody together so you get that enabling experience.”

3. Prioritise Wellbeing and Biophilic Design

There’s a strong focus on employee wellbeing, with biophilic design principles widely adopted. Risch notes, “Biophilic design… is a kind of an abundance of real life, plants, openable facades, terraces, fresh air, balconies, all of those sorts of things are integrated into almost every project that I’ve worked on in the last few years.”

4. Design for Neurodiversity

Australian designers are increasingly considering neurodiversity in their designs. As Risch explains, it’s about “understanding things like the acoustic impact of working in the open, or the impact of people who are more on the introvert side of the scale and not putting them on display and expecting them to work well.”

5. Engage Stakeholders Early and Often

Brown emphasises the importance of early and continuous stakeholder engagement: “We’ve learned you can’t start early enough with engagement, particularly for employees or the building occupants, starting that process right at the beginning, at that concept stage.”

At WorkArena, we’re proud to be part of this innovative landscape, bringing the best of Australian workplace design and MillerKnoll’s global expertise to our clients. As we continue to navigate the future of work, we’re committed to leading the way in creating workplaces that inspire, engage, and empower employees.