Located across two levels at 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, JLL’s new office fitout salutes the rich history of the local area while demonstrating the possibilities of future-proof design. The commercial real estate titan has created an inclusive workspace akin to a ‘neighbourhood’ that accommodates bouts of productivity and focus alongside socialisation and interaction.
JLL’s new Melbourne office is nestled between the historically significant Collins Street and Flinders Lane and spans 3660 square metres.
The office not only embodies future-focused design by engaging with innovative technology and industry-leading sustainability practices, but it also references the history of the area, specifically the clothing manufacturing workshops that once lined Flinders Lane and earned the strip the moniker of ‘Rag Trade’.
Facility Management sat down with JLL senior director of design services Jennifer Moore and JLL managing director for Victoria Kate Pilgrim to unpack the design and construction process in creating a space that caters to flexible working solutions.
Pilgrim and Moore also discuss the powers of harnessing interdisciplinary collaboration in a design process, JLL’s response to fluctuating office occupancy rates and the rise of the hybrid workforce.
Facility Management: Can you provide an outline of the design and construction process of JLL’s new office fitout?
Jennifer Moore: The design and construction process of JLL’s new Melbourne office began with a detailed briefing to understand specific requirements. Based on this, the project team conceptualised the design and leveraged their expertise to create a space that aligned with JLL’s vision and objectives. Following this, the project team prepared documentation that outlined the design elements and specifications in detail.
As construction commenced, JLL’s design, project and construction teams closely collaborated to oversee the execution of the fitout. Clear communication, orchestrating timely decision-making processes and addressing challenges during construction proved essential in this collaboration. The team was able to ensure that the entire process was streamlined and efficient, therefore delivering a well-coordinated and cohesive office fitout that brought the envisioned design to life.
How does the design pay homage to the historically significant ‘Rag Trade’?
Moore: During the briefing and concept phases, JLL Design conducted extensive research on the location of 101 Collins Street, specifically its position between Collins Street and Flinders Lane. The design team decided to embrace the juxtaposition that the two streets represent.
Drawing inspiration from Flinders Lane’s playful and creative elements, as well as its history in the Rag Trade industry, JLL Design incorporated these influences into the design narrative of the new space. The design team relied on textural weaving patterns to create cohesion and enhance the layout planning. Moreover, elements of the ‘Rag Trade’ theme were seamlessly integrated into the fabric and material selections of the space. JLL Design not only paid tribute to the rich historical narrative but also crafted an immersive and harmonious experience within the new fitout.
Describe the project’s engagement with facilities and operations management.
Moore: During the workplace strategy and briefing phases of the project, the project team actively engaged with key business leaders from different teams to ensure a comprehensive understanding of their specific needs and expectations. This collaborative approach encompassed all business lines within JLL, including our operations and workplace management teams.
By involving stakeholders from across the organisation, the project team was able to gather valuable insights and perspectives, ensuring the final design and construction of the new office fit-out aligned seamlessly with the diverse requirements of each business line.
How does the office space cater to flexible and healthy working solutions? Is it conducive to periods of productivity and focus, yet also socialisation and collaboration?
Kate Pilgrim: Our priority was to create an environment that caters to the diverse needs of JLL employees. We strived to provide spaces that foster inclusivity. For individuals who thrive in quiet, focused environments, we incorporated dedicated zones away from the open workstation area. Additionally, we designed large and open gathering spaces to encourage collaboration and connection among teams.
Recognising the importance of social interaction, we included a café as a hub for communal engagement. Furthermore, we integrated three distinct wellness spaces to offer moments of respite and rejuvenation when needed. These thoughtful design considerations reflect our commitment to creating a workspace that supports the wellbeing and productivity of our people at JLL.
Did the design engage with sustainable building practices – adaptive reuse, recycling materials or pursuits to decrease embodied carbon?
Moore: The fitout is 6 Star Green Star and Platinum Wellness accredited.
As a commercial real estate titan, how has JLL responded to fluctuating office occupancy rates and the rise of the hybrid workforce?
Pilgrim: As experts in workplace strategy and design, our team has a deep understanding of the requirements of hybrid working environments. In many ways, we designed a workplace that entices people to turn up because it offers so much more than the home environment.
While people want an elevated experience of human connection in the workplace, 50 percent of our time is spent doing focused work, so getting this balance right was crucial.
We have increased our provisions of focus rooms, phone booths and meeting rooms, in addition to a barista café and cultural hub. We have also provided a diversity of desking solutions and a sense of home for teams who work in a flexible way. The number of desks provided in the workplace was calculated based on unique sharing ratios aligned to the profiles of our teams.
The design of our office was curated to ensure we have the ability to maintain a sense of ambience on lower utilisation days, but also have a sufficient amount of touch-down points to enable attendance surges on busier days.
Photography by Tom Blachford.
Flexible working is reliant on trust.
