QBE is transforming its workplaces across Australia to simplify operations, improve collaboration and reduce emissions.

Three new QBE workplaces – located at 839 Collins Street Melbourne, 388 George Street

Sydney and 32 Smith Street Parramatta – offer innovative design to support flexibility after a staff survey found 80% wanted a hybrid work model.

The Sydney and Parramatta sites were completed in June, while the Melbourne Docklands office opened in 2019. Transformations continue at other QBE workplaces, including Canberra, Newcastle and Adelaide.

Architect GroupGSA says the Sydney workplace features a natural palette of finishes and green walls to improve general wellness, and drew inspiration from tectonic plate rock formations. An expansive atrium is surrounded by “vibrant team neighbourhoods and a ribbon of meeting spaces,” while a towering green “living column” stretches over three floors.

Retreat spaces feature, as do parent and faith rooms.

QBE opted for low-emission materials throughout, from furniture to carpets, paints, timber and energy efficient lighting. The sites feature video conferencing capability with acoustic overlay in meeting spaces, with room walls able to opened and closed.

At the new 15,000 square metre, 10-storey Parramatta workplace, the top 25th floor features 270-degree views of across greater Sydney, an entire social floor dedicated to staff, including a large café that opens out onto the sky terrace, client meeting rooms, and a large training facility. Sculptural stairs link the ten floors.

“They’ve handed the really exciting elements of the building to the staff. It hasn’t been an ivory tower approach,” GroupGSA Project Lead Liam Higginbotham said.

All three of the latest sites occupy key prominent corner positions with “extraordinary views” and connectivity to city precincts, with large atriums to support QBE’s sustainable targets.

Sit-to-stand desks, quiet nooks and innovation hubs also feature, and QBE introduced a floor sensor system, remote booking devices, and lockers and meeting spaces synchronised with an app.