Medibank Melbourne HQ by HASSELL with Chris Connell, Fabio Ongarato, K.P.D.O + Russell & George.

The dynamic interior of the new Medibank building focuses on offering employees a health-based and activity-based working environment. Located in Melbourne, the company is Australia’s largest health insurer where multidisciplinary practice HASSELL who collaborated with Chris Connell Design, Kerry Phelan Design Office and Russell & George were tasked to reflect Medibank’s values in their vast new space. The focal architectural feature of the building is the series of staircases and ramps which wraps around connecting all the levels together.

Using a combination of vibrant colours as an aid, the curvilinear form of the stairways create an abstract and visually interesting view through the atrium. Whilst encouraging employees to adopt their own preferred working environment, there are over 26 types ranging from indoor quiet, group areas to wifi-enabled balconies where people can stand whilst working. With a multipurpose sports grounds on the ground floor there is an adjacent edible garden with a demonstration kitchen.

Fabio Ongarato Design were engaged to deliver both a wayfinding system that complimented the building, whilst delivering a placemaking and workplace identity through environmental graphics.

[Photography by Earl Carter & Peter Bennetts.]