Global architecture firm Hassell and international built environment consultancy Arup have unveiled the latest iteration of their decade-long collaboration in workplace design – Arup’s new office in Brisbane, which is built around circular design principles.

Located across three levels in the refurbished 123 Albert Street building, the new Arup workplace is one of the few in Australia targeting the prestigious Living Building Challenge certification, reflecting an exceptional commitment to regenerative design and human wellbeing.

Drawing insights from Arup's recent Hassell-designed studios in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the Brisbane office project was supported by sustainable materials experts Five Mile Radius and First Nations design consultants Blaklash, with the design envisioning a workplace centred on regenerative design principles, and spaces that are culturally resonant, elegantly adaptable and flexible, and enduringly meaningful.

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“The overall experience is a curated journey, where refined aesthetics seamlessly blend with regenerative design principles, proving that elegance and sustainability can coexist harmoniously,” Scott Walker, Principal architect at Hassell says.

Embracing circularity and sustainable sourcing

The project began with a meticulous material audit of the site as well as Arup’s existing workspace to identify creative reuse opportunities, resulting in more than 90 per cent of all building waste being diverted from landfill. Over 100 materials including timbers, metals, and stones, were salvaged and repurposed into the new workplace design, marking a significant shift in material sourcing strategies.

For instance, the original stair mesh balustrade was innovatively wrapped around columns to support living, green displays, while surplus perforated metal from a closing Ripple Iron factory was repurposed into distinctive café joinery and wall cladding. Brisbane volcanic tuff, a local rock type sourced from site work excavations at Brisbane Airport, evokes the natural ruggedness of the nearby Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Even exhibition boxes from the Museum of Brisbane were transformed into custom furniture, showcasing resourceful craftsmanship.

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Designing with Country

The design, developed in collaboration with Blaklash, deeply embeds local First Nations stories. A reflective metal ceiling mirrors light like a waterway, symbolically referencing the Brisbane River and the original creek that flowed next to the site.

A vaulted double-height arrival space showcases artwork by Waanyi and Kalkadoon artist and designer, Keisha Leon, deepening the connection to Yuggera and Turrbal Country. Approximately 1,900 plants actively restore the site’s ecological memory, reflecting the riparian systems erased by colonial development.

“It was essential that our workplace reflect our values, culture and connection to one another and to the environment. Our new space celebrates regenerative design principles, enhances wellbeing and provides a vibrant setting for collaboration and community,” Eliza Howell, Principal and Queensland State Leader for Arup, says.

Photography credit: David Chatfield

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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