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Guide Dogs NSW / ACT’s unveils new sustainable office in Sydney
January 18, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Guide Dogs NSW/ ACT has unveiled its award-winning new sustainable office in Sydney.
With accessibility as a priority, the flagship office’s design aims to set the standard for inclusive workplaces and sustainable office design.
Designing an accessible and inclusive workplace
The office’s design ensures the vision-impaired, along with their assistance dogs, can easily navigate the workplace.
Wide hallways allow for two assistance dogs with handlers or two wheelchairs to pass each other comfortably.
Rounded edges and curved furniture minimise the risk of accidents and provide a safer environment for both employees and clients.
Braille, tactile signage, and assistive technology are throughout the office to aid individuals with visual impairments.
The open floor plan encourages connections and reflects the principles of Guide Dogs. While the development of the space involved extensive consultation with individuals with low vision or blindness, as well as accessibility experts from the organisation.
Dale Cleaver, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT CEO, says the design aims to serve clients and employees with vision-impairment.
“Our clients are at the heart of everything we do,” Cleaver says. “And our new flagship premises exemplifies that sentiment in every way.
“This is far more than an office space; it is an important step to strengthen our commitment to serving clients and deliver services in innovative ways.
“The office can accommodate up to 100 employees and about ten per cent of the current workforce has a disability of some kind.
“We really want a diverse employment base and plan on hiring more people with disability in the next year.
“Our new premises provides a world class facility for potential employees where they won’t have to overcome daily social or physical barriers.”
Plenty of space for the Guide Dogs
The office also provides a welcoming space for Guide Dogs, with special areas for rest, training, and play. Dog beds, water bowls, and nooks are throughout the office, ensuring a dog-friendly environment.
“It’s a fun yet practical space where our dog training team and volunteers can nurture, socialise and train our beautiful and iconic dogs in a safe, visible community space,” Cleaver says.
“You will find dog beds, nooks and water bowls throughout the space, and the collaboration lounge can even be closed off with puppy gates to provide a safe space for our dogs to play.”
Other design elements that have been carefully considered include wide doors, accessible ramps, and extra-wide corridors to facilitate easy movement.Contrasting colors and textures help individuals with visual impairments differentiate between areas. While the furniture design minimises sharp edges.The office also incorporates seamless integrated technology, adequate lighting, and eco-friendly insulation made from recycled glass.
Sustainable office design
In addition to accessibility, sustainability was also a key consideration in the design process. The office incorporates renewable materials and innovative technologies to prioritise eco-friendly practices.
This includes recycled glass soundproofing and advanced water-saving systems.
Architects from Wool + Hay were enlisted to design the new space.
“The design is strongly centred on community and inclusivity,” says Director at Wool + Hay Jack Woolley.
“With so many visitors coming to the office everyday it was important to get the balance right between collaboration and social spaces as well as focused work settings.
“We chose to not separate staff and visitors and stick to one continuous level with an open floor plan.
“(this is) to enhance and encourage connections and reflect the principles of Guide Dogs through design.”
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