Macquarie Bank’s Green Office is Part Space Station, Part Cathedral

The new <a href="http://www.macquarie.com/dafiles/Internet/mgl/forwardthinking/index.htm">Macquarie Bank</a> office headquarters in Sydney, Australia was designed by <a href="http://www.clivewilkinson.com/">Clive Wilkinson Architects (CWA)</a> to be forward-thinking in more ways than one. The building's multifaceted interior is designed to meet the most exacting standards of efficiency found in green star and <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/04/06/demystifying-eco-labels/">LEED</a>, reducing its overall <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/02/05/sf-mayor-newsom-announces-new-energy-efficiency-funding/">energy consumption </a><strong>by 50%</strong>. The large-scale project is choreographed according to a radical interior plan where “meeting pods” emphasize work collaboration and employee well-being. Described by the architects as “<em>part space station, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/04/05/construction-complete-on-the-uks-stunning-seed-cathedral/">part cathedral</a> and part vertical Greek village</em>”, Macquarie Bank’s new design completely <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/01/28/berlin-factory-renovated-into-stunning-recyclable-livework-space/">reinvents the traditional workplace</a> into an office fit for the 21st century.

Activity-Based Working (ABW) was implemented into the design from the start – the architects opened up and animated the ten-story light filled atrium with 26 “meeting pods” that allowed for clear visual communication between pods and throughout the large open space.

The architects did a fantastic job of incorporating skylights that allow light to filter through the atrium.

Surrounding the atrium is a series of Activity-Based Working (ABW) zones designed to house 100 employees each.

All the zones are connected through a main artery staircase.

Activity-Based Working (ABW) eliminates the economic costs associated with changes in business infrastructure and redefining spaces.

This model shows a section of the building and includes representation of the "Meeting Pods," stairway and work zones.

Each zone is considered an adaptable neighborhood that allows for collaboration and permits a change in environment for employees.

Each plaza takes inspiration from the suggested interaction archetypes of a square, dining room, garden, tea house, play room and coffee house.

The overlapping of business groups is encouraged through the sporadic placement of meeting and gathering spaces.

The design succeeds in accomplishing a 78% reduction in paper storage and a 53% reduction in printing needs by allowing employees to scan and distribute documents electronically.

Each zone has its own personality and decor.

77% of employees were excited about the option to change their work spaces regularly, and 55% actively do so.

Clive Wilkinson Architects considers the design to be "part space station, part cathedral and part vertical Greek village."