Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Head Office – Axle at South Eveleigh

Architect: Woods Bagot

Spectrum rubber flooring and entrance matting was selected for this innovative project in Sydney. The stunning ground floor not only showcases our product’s exceptional aesthetics, but also the acoustic benefits of rubber. And with extremely low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) our GECA certified rubber flooring offered this project better indoor air quality, leading to a healthier and happier space.

When a product is certified against GECA’s Floor Coverings standard, consumers can be sure that the product has been assessed to meet environmental, human health and ethical impact criteria. GECA certification removes doubt and confusion and makes identifying environmentally and socially preferable products easier.

About the project:

This transformative environment will anchor the capital’s new technology and innovation district and serve as an incubator for CBA’s digital future. Standing at eight stories, the new building harnesses the communal and craft-based concept of the railroad workshop that once operated on the historic site, providing the 4,000 employees with the best spaces, tools and techniques to bring new ideas to life.

The design encourages staff to step outside the digital and into a tactile world. Complementing the prevalence of timber, large elements of the base build are exposed, such as the concrete edge beams, authentic to the history of the site and conveying that this is not a traditional corporate environment. Biophilia is woven through the workplace, with indoor gardens, ample daylight and terraces on both level one and level seven. The project is targeting a 6-Star Green Star and a high NABERS Tenancy Energy rating.

The building’s atrium edge demonstrates a commitment to collaboration. Activated by open collaborative spaces, recessed meeting rooms, and expressed timber room pods, the dynamic and totally flexible space offers opportunities for intellectual exchange and impromptu conversation. Connected to the community, authentic and tactile in its finish, the atrium serves as a viewing point for internal activity. Circulation, including a range of stair types and pathways, weaves in diverse, non-linear routes to invite exploration and interaction.

The agile model is an evolution of the company’s own workplace strategy prototyped in Darling Square. Conceived as a miniature city, the mix of structured and personal spaces provides settings for collaboration balanced by those for independent tasks and retreat. Café-style meeting areas, multipurpose rooms for groups, secluded private booths and outside terraces give staff the freedom to connect from wherever. The clear delineation of these areas invites intuitive movement among them. Technology has been simplified and unified, allowing teams to work effectively in real time, no matter where they are. Booking of meeting rooms and entry to the building and lockers are all accessible from a smartphone app.