Kapitol Group Offices – Melbourne
In efforts to reenergize the workplace, Kapitol Group sought out a clean, functional and highly liveable office to give employees a space aligned with the construction company's values.
March Studio designed the Kapitol Group offices with a crisp, functional feel for their space in Melbourne, Australia.
Kapitol Group is a privately owned construction company and one of Australia’s fastest growing start-ups, working in the commercial, education, industrial and residential sectors. When Kapitol outgrew its first head office, they chose March Studio to design their new, substantially larger, corporate office in the Melbourne CBD. The result is a clean, functional and highly liveable space, befitting of one of Melbourne’s most respected construction firms.
Kapitol’s head office is a collaboration between Kapitol Group, March Studio and Living Edge.
Living Edge were chosen as Kapitol’s furniture designer because of their reputation as Australia’s leader in sustainable furniture. The result is a selection of the best contemporary, ergonomic office furniture from world renowned designers including Herman Miller.
In 2021 Kapitol Group was listed as one of Australia’s best places to work by WRK+ so it was important that the physical space of Kapitol’s new HQ aligned with the best places to work accolade.
The new Kapitol offices are a unique opportunity to create a new typology of office space in the heart of downtown Melbourne. Addressing the challenges of a post-pandemic office world, the design re-energises the co-working sector with a new take on the workplace. Cues are taken from a variety of different working environments including open plan, activity-based and conference rooms to deliver a space that is comfortable, highly functional and visually appealing.
As both the client and the builder, Kapitol understood perfectly the needs of their workforce and as such, incorporated into the building design a range of COVID protection measures. This includes a UVC air disinfection system to clean the air; an upgraded outside air fan to pump more clean air into the office; an upgraded filtration system with custom filters which removes air particles, including germs; and overnight air purification where the air is purged and clean air is pumped in.
Embracing a biophilic design methodology, Kapitol’s offices have been designed to maximise employee well-being. Every desk in the office can be electronically adjusted for both sitting and standing, an imperative OHS requirement for the modern office environment. The incorporation of greenery throughout the space creates a calming atmosphere, and the use of natural materials such as the Spotted Gum Armour panel, contributes to a sense of connection with nature.
Design: March Studio
Builder: Kapitol Group
Furniture Supplier: Living Edge
Photography: Damien Kook, Shannon McGrath