SEEK was looking to create a workplace that reflected its people and culture and provided a warm, welcoming and connected environment. It needed to be flexible for future change, provide a healthy environment, include access to green space and assist in attracting and retaining the best talent whilst being capable of expansion or retraction.

We have partnered with SEEK since site selection commenced in 2015 and have provided ongoing support over the seven-year journey to bring the headquarters to life. Our scope of work included delivering multidisciplinary services across building services, sustainability, security, communications, acoustics, AV, fire engineering and structural engineering.

The workplace sets a new benchmark for design in Australia, with excellent indoor environment quality, fully flexible floorplate, access to wintergarden space, a soaring seven storey high atrium, and greater daylight autonomy.

Connected, inspiring workspace for people

Working with SEEK, Hassell architects and CBRE, we defined the key ‘bones’ of the building and developed the detailed design and oversaw construction of the new 20,000m2 tenancy workspace. Our building design included: 4,000m2 floorplates for connectivity, underfloor air distribution for excellent indoor air quality, and four metre ceiling to floor heights and exposed soffits for improved daylight.

The base building form and infrastructure enabled the workplace design to take full advantage, with a fully reconfigurable 1,000-person community space created at ground floor, a 400-person event space at level 6, commercial kitchen, social hubs, and highly flexible open plan work floors.

To ensure employees were still able to work in an inspiring and enjoyable space for the duration of the seven-year project, we also redesigned the existing 541 St Kilda Road premises to provide short term capacity to support increased staffing and improve overall amenity.

During the accommodation search, Arup’s insightful commentary on the pros and cons of each proposal was a critical factor in our site selection decision making, including input on environment quality, maintainability, flexibility to future change, security, staff experience and fire safety.

Brigid Carey

Group Head of Workspace Strategy, SEEK

Sustainable design achieves NABERS ratings

The sustainability strategy for the building minimises natural resource consumption, while providing a. a space with abundant fresh air, great daylight, connection to outside, and comfortable temperatures.

People have direct access to outside spaces, including gardens on every level, over half of the primary spaces are adequately lit with daylight for 80 per cent of occupied hours. A central atrium connects all levels, providing visual transparency, daylight and connection to outside. Fresh air is enhanced 50 per cent above standard rates, and the raised floor supply creates excellent air quality.

The building achieved a 4.5 Star NABERS Indoor Environment rating and 5 Star NABERS energy rating. The project is also on track to achieve a 6 Star Green Star Design and As Built v1.1 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. This process assesses sustainability in buildings across nine holistic impact categories and reflects world leadership in innovation.

The reception area with comfortable lounge chairs and large windows for natural light

The reception area ©Peter Bennetts

A large space with flexible seating, lounges, tables and plants

Spaces to collaborate ©Peter Bennetts

Open plan work spaces on each level connected by timber stairs

Open spaces offer internal views and a feeling of connection ©Peter Bennetts 

Partners & collaborators

Hassell / CBRE / Buildcorp