Peckvonhartel reshapes working life at the Australian Communications and Media Authority

Peckvonhartels refit for the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Photo: Simon Johanson

The Australian Communications and Media Authority, a government authority responsible for monitoring media coverage, had been operating from three levels within a tower at 360 Elizabeth Street, above Melbourne Central.

While these levels provided impressive views of Melbourne, the diamond-shaped floor plates were relatively inefficient.

The office arrangement reflected practices from decades ago, says Joshua McAlister, senior design architect at Peckvonhartel, who worked closely with interior designer Angela Welch on this project. "There was no connectivity between the levels, except for the fire escape."

ACMA subsequently moved a few levels below its former workplace and now occupies two levels, connected by an internal staircase.

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One of the main concerns with the refit of these levels was to break down the previous style of working, with a series of pod-like workstations centred on a meeting table.

We were finding that staff working adjacent to these pods formed their own niche," says McAlister. "And at lunchtime, everyone took a lift to the cafes at ground level."

The two floor plates ACMA now occupies represent one-third less space. But what it has gained in the move is substantial. As well as breaking down the pod-like arrangement, the workstations have been located at the periphery of each floor, allowing for greater natural light, as well as sharper views of the city and surrounds.

This arrangement is combined with glass-fronted interior offices at the core of each level, occupied by more senior staff.

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Peckvonhartel reshapes working life at the Australian Communications and Media Authority