Looking beyond work

With a mission to make people feel better, the new workplace needed to reflect this purpose by giving employees an experience that supports their well-being ‑ a workspace that would feel like a retreat.

“Workplace has moved into a sector that is no longer just about workplace,” says Brenton Smith, Director at Bates Smart. For the project, Bates Smart pushed this trend several steps further and created a welcoming experience that feels like more like a home than an office.

Thanks to the MillerKnoll collective’s diversity of product, with ample ancillary products that help create a residential aesthetic, Smith and the team were able to deliver on this promise “easily curating the spaces and articulating that cross-sector reference and that well-being overlap,” as he says.

Creating a sensory experience

For Bates Smart, the overarching question was: “How can we create a space that impacts all the senses?” Smith says.

Light, organic forms and soft elements were just some of the factors they worked with to create a space Smith describes as “disarmingly calm.”

Dimmed lighting, verdant greenery, soft colours inspired by nature and natural materials all combine to create this tranquil feeling throughout the office, which feels worlds away from the bustle of Melbourne's central business district below. Rounded, open pods create a comfortable, inviting space for staff to do focus work, have discreet conversations or simply relax.

In the breakout areas, furniture from Muuto delivers the brand’s signature Scandinavian muted, clean-lined aesthetic that perfectly complement the diffused warmth of these spaces. Pieces from the British brand NaughtOne maintain the pared-down simplicity of the space, while adding an element of playfulness.

Combining global production with local expertise

For the client, and for Bates Smart, MillerKnoll’s customisation capabilities proved integral to the success of the project. “We had the flexibility to create something that was specific for the client,” says Smith. “That degree of customisation elevated the product and the client experience.”

The wide breadth of the collective offers a comprehensive range of finishes and fabric options to create a unique and unified space. Clusters of Atlas Sit-Stand Workstations, Ratio Desks, and OE1 Micro Packs from Herman Miller were all produced globally but finished in Australia with locally manufactured joinery. The result is a truly cohesive feeling and a sense of flow from one workspace to the next, and from focus zone to breakout area.

Designing with the planet in mind

Sustainability was one of the key criteria in the project brief. “They were eager to understand what happens at the end of life of some of these products,” Smith says. MillerKnoll’s commitment to sustainability aligned perfectly, both with long-lasting, quality products and the rePurpose Program.

“We believe there’s nothing better for sustainability than quality, durability and longevity,” says Josh Coughlan, Regional Sales Manager at MillerKnoll.

The Caper Chairs from Herman Miller are a great example of this in practice. These stacking chairs have found a third home in this new Melbourne office, having accompanied the client at its two prior locations.

The rePurpose Program, meanwhile, diverts products from landfill through a combination of reselling, recycling and donating.

Embodying the heart of the organisation

The result is more than just an office – it's an inspiring example of how workplace design can embody an organisation's values and mission. Through thoughtful integration of ergonomic furniture, sustainable practices, and wellness-focused spaces, this Melbourne headquarters demonstrates that the future of work isn't just about productivity; it's about creating environments where people can thrive, and where they feel like they can, as Smith so aptly puts it, “naturally exhale.”

3-point recap

1. An international health organisation partnered with Bates Smith and MillerKnoll to transform their Melbourne office into a retreat-like space that embodies their mission to help people feel and live better.

2. MillerKnoll’s capacity to customise furniture through a unique blend of global expertise and local capabilities was part of the appeal for both the client and for Bates Smart, as it enabled them to create a highly bespoke solution.

3. The workspace transcends traditional office design by incorporating residential aesthetics and sensory experiences, resulting in a calming space that enables employees to “naturally exhale.”