Jemena Offices – Sydney
Spaceful’s Jemena offices in Sydney embody the concept of Collective Progress through a meticulously designed workplace that prioritizes collaboration, employee wellbeing, and operational resilience within a flexible and secure environment.
Discover
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.
Design
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.
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.
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.
Design: Spaceful
Senior Interior Designer: Adrian Foung
Photography: Jonathan McFeat
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