Zendesk Offices – Melbourne
Blitz Architecture + Interiors has designed the new offices of software company Zendesk, located in Melbourne, Australia.
Zendesk, the leading provider of cloud-based customer service software, hired Blitz to redesign their 4 floor space in one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings in the heart of downtown. The 25,830 SF office takes cues from the great modern architecture in Melbourne while respecting the integrity and original aesthetic of the historic Edwardian building.
Similar to other Zendesk offices, the space represents the same core brand principles of being “airy, humble, charming, and uncomplicated” and uses simple, clean lines to establish a contemporary minimalist look with visual transparency. The challenge of the space was to be purposefully and subtly modern while complimenting the building’s architectural vocabulary. In an effort to respect the building’s history, the design team chose to use the building’s original interior detailing as a background for new design elements. The dark overhead lighting fixtures and pendants contrast with the bright white walls and provide a natural path for the eye to travel across the space.
The core user group for the Melbourne office is the engineering team, who requires both quiet focus space and open areas for collaboration. Numerous working environments including phone booths, laptop bars, private meeting rooms, lounges, and height adjustable workstations allow staff to to work anywhere.
Another design challenge was creating a central collaborative area that did not break up the views across the office. To solve this challenge, the design team created a semi-enclosed space that serves as a central hub on each floor. These spaces dubbed “creative hubs” are organized in the center of each office plan with floor to ceiling interior glazing. This provides for ample daylight and maintains visual connectivity across the floor. Partially vaulted ceilings create unique geometry within the space and vary on each floor. Whiteboard painted walls and acoustic barriers allow for multiple teams to work together alongside more quiet focused work.
The lower ground floor features a flexible auditorium and special events space. The space is comprised of a variety of breakout spaces including a bar, kitchen, and ping pong table,creating collaboration and interaction within the wider office.
Design: Blitz Architecture + Interiors
Photography: Nicole England and Yvonne Qumi
