Employee preferences for WFH means workplaces need to utilise office spaces as a tool to connect with staff. In Better Workplaces, AdNews looks at how agencies use office design to entice staff to come in and create a company culture worth staying for.
Nestled in South Yarra, full-service advertising agency Yakkazoo's office is inspired by a family home with lux, as multiple businesses sit under the one roof.
The furniture is more residential and the layout matches with a kitchen at the office's centre.
The office houses staff from all of Venetian Media Group (VMG)'s verticals. VMG is the Australian-owned media company behind Yakkazoo, Out-of-Home company, Revolution360, billboard company, Captive Vision Outdoor (CVO), sports management agency, Aspire Talent Group, media planning and buying agency, Frontier Media and digital agencies, Sillyfish and Digital Native.
Meeting rooms.
Twelve months in the making, Yakkazoo brought the vison to life with a blueprint to foster creativity, productivity and collaboration, together with strengthening the company’s social culture and promoting health and wellbeing Michael Fishwick, Venetian Media Group (VMG) CEO, told AdNews.
"During its manifestation Yakkazoo carefully considered the new HQ’s cosmopolitan inner-city locale; its ties to family and desire to create a welcoming home; its unique mix of people and brands; its corporate culture and vision," Fishwick said.
Yakkazoo staff in central park.
The focal point of the space is 'central park' - an alfresco-style large kitchen area, bar (with beer and rosé on tap) and landscaped indoor garden with large feature trees.
"The concept of central park was to create a meeting place," Fishwick said.
Aligned to green spaces within the urban landscape, this area serves as a welcome zone for visitors as well as a respite for the team amid an often-hectic agency environment.
Central Park during a office event.
Beer and rosé on tap in the kitchen.
A unique space is the 80sqm ‘immersive playhouse’ which serves as an adaptable zone for training, experiences/exhibitions, social and well-being activities as well as live broadcast capabilities.
It also features a huge 495 inch Barco screen that enables video conferencing, wellness and fitness seminars, in-house cinema and daily dynamic content.
Stephanie Pratt, director client services at Yakkazoo, told AdNews the immersive playhouse came to life recently with Yakkazoo's first 'Fast Start Breakfast'.
"We invited our clients, publishers and partners to enjoy a panel of experts talking about the future of AI in advertising."
Staff in the immersive playhouse.
Another highlight is a Chairman’s Lounge hidden behind bookshelves that can be opened with a secret lever, and a library that the team can use as a quiet zone surrounded by curiosities and books.
The lighting elements are extensive, with eclectic pendant, floor and table lights from Mondoluce and LightCo enhancing the individual character of each space. These include a Parliament Floor Lamp in the Library designed by Le Corbusier and the Chairman’s Lounge showcases a beautiful Mist Black Chandelier and Noto Vintage Brass Table Lamp from James Said.
The secret lounge.
The office also features five meeting rooms and a boardroom furnished with accent European Designer pieces by Patricia Urquiola; John Pawson; Mario Ferrarini and Piero Lissoni, balanced with comfortable high end residential furniture from James Said, Coco Republic, Momu and Arthur G.
Meeting room.
A causal meeting area.
To further enhance the workplace experience, there are a series of rotating art exhibitions curated as part of an annual program.
The Group has engaged curator Catherine Asquith to showcase artists from around the country at the ongoing #LIVEWITHART program.
First show being Kate Briscoe “Geologica” which is exhibiting until Easter. Briscoe’s work is held in major public collections across Australia including Artbank, Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, NSW Government House, and Parliament House Canberra.
Office art.
Modular workstations are part of the customised LexCo range, integrating the new Lux matte brass metallic finish for an elegant alternative to standard finishing, acoustic privacy panels and integrated desktop planter boxes.
Staff desks are organised by department - media/client service/creative - with a seat for every member of Yakkazoo's team of 15 in Melbourne.
Typically the team don't hot desk, but when its four Sydney members join the South Yarra office hot desks are available.
Staff desks.
Staff desks.
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