THE STAFFROOM RE-DESIGN

This project has been developed for the TAFE Queensland South Bank Campus H-Block staffroom upgrade. The brief required the design to modernise the aesthetic of the dated staffroom whilst keeping relevance to the institutions iconic red branding. The brief also required the design to provide much needed facilities that were currently not available in the space. Requirements included a new reception area with adequate waiting room seating and a solution for the reception staff to be able to engage with students without the need for an intercom into the office. A new breakout kitchen area that is separated from the surrounding office was required, as well as a functionally versatile solution for some new meeting rooms. My concept was “Connecting the Dots” which referred to the round TAFE logo as well as neural connections in the brain giving relevance to an learning, as well as social and cultural connection and our connection to nature.

I chose to go with a very biophilic-inspired design for this project to communicate what can be achieved with interior plant-scaping and the type of design I specialise in. Although the initial cost of an indoor garden like this may exceed budget, I designed this concept with an intent to educate people on how after the initial cost, there is actually very little maintenance related labour costs required at all. If the correct species of plant-life is chosen, the correct lighting is installed and the garden is set up on a sub-irrigation system, the garden only requires refilling every few months which can be done easily by the client if desired. This takes away the maintenance cost of indoor plant hire companies who often install plants not suited to the conditions-which in turn generates them more of your business. It is important for the mental and physical health of employees in workplaces to have biophilic elements surrounding them, and I believe with innovative design solutions we can make this more available to everyone. The research is in and it is now proven to not only increase morale, but productivity also.