Department of Health

06 . 07 . 2020

Set in Hobart, the refurbishment of the Department of Health Hobart offices focuses on warmth from a more natural materiality to reflect the inclusive and timeless culture inherent in the office.

The Carr team drew inspiration from the native flora and fauna, Indigenous culture and art, and the reputation of Hobart’s food, wine and arts scene to design a workplace that is light, bright and welcoming to all.

The surrounding landscape, with views to Mount Wellington, informed the palette and textures throughout the project and the result is an openness and connection with muted colours and greenery throughout that creates a timeless and professional aesthetic.

The overall concept for the Department of Health Hobart, as driven by the client, was to create a culturally respectful and inclusive workplace that recognises the Traditional Custodians of the land. As such, there was much consideration to respectfully integrate Indigenous culture, including a commissioned print in the foyer, and a selection of furniture and fabrics that support Indigenous communities.

The foyer mural by Krystal Hurst is entitled ‘Connectedness’, and represents the inter-connectedness between ourselves, our aspirations, and the natural world. It symbolises that we “work and live in a natural network and in order to grow and build strength we must stay connected”. Planex xLocker2 products were chosen by the client, in recognition of the collaboration that Planex enjoys with Lucy Simpson from Gaawaa Miyay.

The workspace offers a high level of flexibility where staff can work from anywhere at any time. There is a central ‘teapoint’ area for gatherings and various focus spaces and collaborative settings. Acoustic considerations complement soft textural materials and where possible existing furniture has been retained and re-used. This is also the first project by the Government that integrates the New Ways of Working methodology.

Link to project click here.
Photography by Natasha Mulhall