Engineers Australia

Built by Engineers Australia in the 1960s, Engineering House had long served as the organisation’s Canberra headquarters. However, the space no longer reflected the dynamic, forward-thinking nature of the profession. Engineers Australia required a modern workplace design that would inspire staff and members, encourage engagement, and celebrate its legacy. Key challenges included:  

• Inefficient footprint: The 2,600sqm, two-floor layout had become inefficient, isolating teams, limiting collaboration, and weakening culture. 

• Outdated space: A new modern hub was required to inspire staff and members and reflect the dynamic, forward-thinking nature of the profession. 

• Sustainability mandate: Environmentally responsible principles had to be applied to the construction process and final office fit out in Canberra. 

• Project governance: A trusted local partner with technical expertise was required to streamline decision-making and maintain control over budget and scope. 

Through in-depth discovery sessions with Engineers Australia’s executive team, Spaceful identified several key objectives to guide the transformation: 

• Create a magnetic hub: Encourage engagement and increase utilisation of the facilities. 

• Showcase engineering diversity: Highlight the full spectrum of engineering across all sectors and disciplines. 

• Revitalise the headquarters: Modernise the legacy space while preserving its historical significance. 

• Improve efficiency and culture: Consolidate teams onto a single floorplate to strengthen efficiency, collaboration and culture. 

• Enable future flexibility: Incorporate future-proof flexibility, including potential for subleasing. 

• Support diverse work styles: Provide a variety of workspace types and collaborative settings to accommodate different needs and preferences. 

The design is anchored by the ‘Engine Yards’ concept, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the Industrial Revolution – a place where the brightest minds come together to push the boundaries of engineering.  

The workplace is structured around two primary zones: 

• Community Commons: A member-facing area featuring a dedicated members’ space, committee and boardrooms, webinar and wellness rooms, kitchen, and an adaptable auditorium for events and gatherings. 

• Staff Quarters: Four interconnected working areas with meeting rooms, quiet rooms and collaborative spaces. Shaped by the building envelope, the layout maximises functionality while supporting hybrid work. 

A refined palette of burgundy, slate blue, and soft greens, paired with timber elements, creates a warm and professional environment. Material selections subtly reference the legacy of engineering, balancing heritage with innovation, while the flexible layout supports diverse work styles and event formats.  

The auditorium which opens to the front-of-house areas is an essential component of this Canberra office fit out, serving as a dynamic setting for presentations, conferences, and community events. 

This sustainable office design saw material reuse, furniture upcycling, and waste diversion embedded throughout. Spaceful also ensured transparency in budget management and integrated technical expertise in building electrification and AV systems to future-proof the space.  

Spaceful’s established presence in Canberra ensured smooth delivery and close-out.  

Key initiatives included diverting waste from landfill by sorting and recycling materials such as plasterboard, carpet, ceiling tiles, and aluminium. Unsalvageable items were broken down into recyclable waste streams. Strategic reuse of existing elements, such as ceilings and partitions, helped reduce waste and embodied carbon, supporting a more sustainable fit-out in Canberra.