Jemena

The previous workplace suffered from limited natural light, disconnected amenities, and low staff engagement.

Key challenges included:

• Low attendance: Staff presence was 15%, with little organic return to office.
• Poor environment: A dated design spread over several floors with limited daylight failed to inspire and hindered collaboration.
• Fragmented amenities: Multiple dispersed kitchens and breakout spaces prevented staff from coming together, weakening workplace culture.
• Lack of focus and privacy: A shortage of quiet rooms compromised confidential meetings and individual focus work.
• Brand misalignment: The existing workplace failed to reflect Jemena’s operational heritage and the rugged nature of the Jemena Zinfra field teams.
• Operational complexity: The control centre required bespoke ergonomic furniture, AV and security solutions.
• Zero downtime: Transitioning critical operations without interruption was essential.
• Time and cost pressure: Strict time deadlines were necessary to avoid double rent during relocation.

A comprehensive workplace strategy was undertaken to define the requirements for Jemena’s new workplace. This included in‑person observational studies to map workflows, operational adjacencies, and spatial needs, ensuring the future design brief was directly aligned with Jemena’s strategic objectives. The strategy culminated in a detailed functional design brief and ‘kit of parts’, clearly defining the spatial requirements for the new workplace.

The strategy was guided by Jemena’s purpose of ‘Bringing Energy to Life’, translated into three core pillars:

• Energetic workplace: Increasing physical presence and engagement.
• Productivity: Supporting mission-critical operations.
• Employee wellbeing: Creating energised, supported people.

Employee survey findings indicated that many activities were most effectively undertaken from home. In response, the workplace strategy prioritised areas that add real value to office attendance, including quiet focus areas, a diverse range of meeting spaces, and enhanced kitchen and breakout facilities. These elements were integrated within a flexible layout to support future scenario planning and improved long-term space utilisation.

The design is anchored in the concept of Collective Progress, reflecting the power of collaboration, shared purpose and interconnected systems. Operational resilience and security are embedded throughout the workspace, focusing on protection and rapid response.

Inspired by Jemena’s field sites and industrial heritage, the palette combines warm earth tones, such as terracotta, rust, clay, and copper, with industrial textures like exposed plywood, steel, concrete, and aluminium. Accents of sky blue and soft green reinforce the brand identity. An exposed ceiling amplifies the industrial character, while textured carpets and warm materials are used to strategically add comfort.

Key design features include:

• Advanced access control: Biometric authentication, airlocks, and speed gates regulate entry to restricted areas, ensuring only authorised, security‑cleared personnel have access.
• Strategic zoning and compartmentalisation: High sensitivity areas are carefully segregated to enable quick escalation and coordinated incident response.
• Control centre: A secure control environment features custom AV systems, ergonomic dual sit-stand desks to support round-the-clock operations.
• Specialist AV, IT and communications: Large format screens, desk monitors, and a robust IT backbone support real-time collaboration and manage over 99,000 calls annually.
• Staff wellbeing support: Breakout spaces, a central kitchen and a wellness/sleep room support employees during long or high-pressure shifts, complemented by high-performance air conditioning and lighting.
• Efficient functional planning: Critical operational areas are separated from staff amenities, with quiet rooms, AV‑enabled meeting rooms, parents’ and first‑aid rooms clustered around the building core to preserve daylight and views.
• Centralised destination breakout zone: A single high-quality breakout replaces previously scattered kitchens, offering expansive Hyde Park views, and a flexible setting for town halls, team activities, and informal connection.
• Supporting infrastructure: A secure reception, dedicated IT help desk, and conflict resolution room complete the workplace.

The project was delivered ahead of schedule. Key delivery successes included:

• Zero downtime: Careful design and delivery ensured uninterrupted critical operations.
• Critical infrastructure: Approvals and installation of an external rooftop generator were managed, safeguarding against grid outages.
• Sustainability: The fit-out aligned with the building’s 5-Star NABERS rating through material use, furniture reuse, and low-VOC finishes.
• Specialist HVAC: Purpose‑designed systems ensure stable, resilient environments for continuous use.
• Ergonomic fit-out: Custom control desks and shift-rated chairs promote comfort during extended shifts.
• Extensive cabling: Over 20km of data cabling and 10km of power cabling was installed to support robust operations.

Construction works were carefully phased and coordinated with Jemena’s teams to minimise disruption, with strict security protocols for contractors and a thorough commissioning program including scenario-based stress testing of all critical systems prior to handover.