HASSELL winds a series of staircases through medibank building in melbourne

HASSELL winds a series of staircases through medibank building in melbourne
photography by earl carter

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 colors as an aid, the curvilinear form of the stairways create an abstract and visually interesting view through the atrium. meanwhile, 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. furthermore, with a multipurpose sports grounds on the ground floor there is an adjacent edible garden with a demonstration kitchen.

bringing as much of the outdoor nature indoors, many plants and greenery has been distributed throughout the building to relieve stress, improve internal air quality and visually cultivate an enjoyable work setting. along with many planters placed inside and outside, there are two 25-metre high street-facing green walls. overall, the lighthearted medibank complex has established a unique environment for visitors and workers where the space hopes to help ideas grow and at the same time, deliver cultural and financial value through improved productivity and efficiency.

circadian lighting in certain areas of the workspace mimics natural daylight 

there is a multipurpose sports court at ground level

there are more than 26 types of work settings, ranging from indoor quiet spaces and collaborative hubs

there is a ramp from street level which enables employees to cycle up to bike storage

the ramp system wraps around the interior of the space

the staircases create an abstract view from the atrium

the ground level

looking up through the atrium

project info:

location: medibank place, 720 bourke street melbourne, australia
client: cbus property (developer) and medibank (anchor tenant)
size: 47,750 sqm including 30,500 sqm of medibank workplace
completion date: 2014
disciplines: interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design
collaborations: chris connell design, kerry phelan design office, russell & george
photography: earl carter