Project Overview

UTS, Institute for Sustainable Futures are a dedicated research institute within the city campus working independently on project-based research for Australian & International clients. The project afforded GroupGSA the opportunity to create a new sustainable home for ISF whom are seeking to gain a 6-star Green Star interior accreditation whilst implementing a full ABW solution.

As part of the scope it was proposed that the Institute relocate into a new purpose-built environment which showcases and supports the Institutes diverse functions. The design drew inspiration from both the natural Australian environment and the institute’s core ethos of ‘creating change towards sustainable futures’.

Working closely with the client and the university, we engaged the overall staff to promote an open and collaborative environment. This meant proposing not incorporating any offices into the design and introducing an Activity Based Working Environment – a drastic change for the staff and overall culture. A change management component was implemented into the overall programme to bring ISF along on the journey and minimise any surprises.

The outcome afforded a more permeable environment that promoted natural light through the space and was more aligned to ISF as an organisation. GroupGSA created a diversity of spaces that would support varying ways of work/collaboration. This included zoning the work areas from Collaborative and noisy to Silent Spaces for more focused working. The central hub was designed with flexibility to support a dynamic and modular environment for events and town hall meetings.

Project Commissioner

UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Project Creator

GroupGSA

Team

GroupGSA team:
Pablo Albani
Liam Higginbotham
Olivia Green

Project Team:
Evolved Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, fire & Hydraulics)
Taylor Thompson Whitting (Structural engineering)
Philip Chun (PCA)
Peace of Mind Technology (AV)

Builders:
SHAPE construction

Project Management:
UTS

Project Brief

Housed within the original heritage listed Fairfax & Sons building in Ultimo, the design drew its inspiration from both the natural Australian environment and ISF’s core ethos of ‘creating change towards sustainable futures’.

The design intent was to create an environment born of nature that will expand with growth; a supportive and protective space, yet permeable and porous. Derived from the university’s desire to redefine the workplace parameters for administration faculties, the brief introduced ABW design principles in tandem with wellbeing initiatives to encourage greater collaboration & connectivity. Coupled with ISF’s strong sense of community & well-established culture it was imperative to the project’s success that the new surroundings nurtured this well into the future.

GroupGSA engaged the staff early to gain a better understanding of their needs and to promote a more open and collaborative process. There was also an emphasis on the adoption of sustainable building practices with a large proportion of the existing furniture & equipment from level 11 being re-purposed in the new environment.

Due to the nature of their work (research & focus), GroupGSA created a diversity of spaces that support different ways of work and collaboration. These types of areas ranged from collaborative and noisy to quiet areas with a dedicated silent space for highly concentrated work. The central hub & heart of the space (arrival & café areas) were designed to be destinations within the space, adaptable by nature to support a dynamic and modular environment for larger events and town hall meetings.

Project Innovation/Need

The new workplace for the Institute for Sustainable Futures is more than just another office environment, it’s an incubator of research. Not only does it provide a dynamic destination for research at the university it celebrates and showcases the many intellectual achievements of the institute, strengthening their role & place in the wider campus community.

Being the universities largest research partner & advocate for sustainability, access to a quality amenity that truly exemplified who they are was paramount. As a pilot for change, the new space will provide a unique opportunity for other university staff, students & external clients to engage in & experience new ways of working & sustainable practices.

With permeability as a driving concept the built environment is designed to be transparent enough to allow natural light to extend from the façade inwards with limited obstruction. This has created a dynamic environment where natural daylight enhances all aspects of the space improving the connectivity to the wider campus & beyond.

Similarly, existing ceilings were removed improving the sense of volume and maximise on the natural bounce of light. This also improved the views internally & externally which has been a successful outcome in answer to the client’s desire for a better sense of place for staff & visitors.

Design Challenge

Driven by an ambitious space budget & challenging base building layout achieving the core design outcomes to create a 6-star Green star interior whilst adopting ABW practices was not easy. The team had to overcome a variety of physical factors purely driven by the age of the building with an L-shaped floor plate, out-dated services and constrained ceiling space. Fortunately for the client, GroupGSA saw beyond this to the building’s unique character, natural light filled interior and access to views across the city & out to the west as the perfect backdrop for the new working environment.

With a clear process of engagement set in place & a driven team of specialists we sought out to transform the old and out-dated into a new thriving energy filled interior to support the innovative research & thinking inherent in the institutes mantra.

With exposed ceilings & clever screening between working zones we enhanced the volume of space to promote views inwards and out to the wider campus. With a minimalist approach to the base building overlay with white paint & shades of grey we were able to promote the transfer of natural light through the interior into areas which were underutilised & forgotten in the old layout. Inserted into this was an earthy & bold interior palette showcasing the intricate detailing of furniture settings, joinery & feature ceiling treatments. This was enhanced by the lighting scheme which responded to the varying work activity with a range of direct & indirect lighting formats.

Sustainability

GroupGSA’s design for the Institute of Sustainable Futures was imagined with their core business of sustainable research in mind. With that focus the partnership created with the client from conception to completion in reviewing what was existing & the opportunity to re-use was a valuable experience that has provided a unique overlay to the overall design story.

There was an emphasis on the adoption of sustainable building practices throughout. A majority of the existing furniture and equipment owned by the institute was either repurposed in the new environment or recycled to a new home. A selection of furniture was re-upholstered where appropriate with new sustainable materials to give new life whilst the new products were sourced from local suppliers with special consideration for GECA/Green tag accreditation & stewardship processes. The project endeavoured to support local design & trade throughout all phases.

In consideration for the well being impact that a new environment has on its inhabitants, a diverse landscape of green walls, in-built planters & loose pot plants were peppered throughout. Views inwards & across the space reinforce the connection of people & nature which was an important practice for the institute with a portion of the planting in the old office owned and cared for by the staff brought down into the new environment.

Interior Design - Co-Working & Studio Space

This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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