Inclusivity, flexibility and, yes, your own workstation

Designed by Unispace

From the designers:

Relocating to their new Melbourne home, online art and design marketplace Redbubble envisioned a space that would inspire their people, while nurturing their inclusive culture as their business grows

A small startup reaching maturity due to rapid growth, initially, Redbubble’s brief to Unispace was simple – to create a new, larger space to encourage connection. 

However, with ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns, as well as a new CEO, the project needed to evolve. 

Unispace and Redbubble took the opportunity to expand the project into a more comprehensive reimagining of the purpose of the space, including a redesign of Redbubble’s way of working.

The Unispace team worked closely with Redbubble to ensure the updated design retained their vision and strategy, while reflecting changes to the space needs. 

These changes included an increased floorplate, larger growth predictions and adaptation to an agile, post-Covid workstyle.

Presenting a detailed comparison covering everything from space metrics to transit impact mapping, we were able to align the space with Redbubble’s creative vision and company culture.

An inclusive space, supporting varied ways of working

With diverse teams ranging from creatives to engineers, Redbubble’s new home needed to ensure all employees felt welcome and excited to return to the workspace, supporting their varied ways of working so they could do their best work. 

This included providing an allocated workstation for every employee to meet their particular needs, as well as a variety of shared spaces to encourage collaboration.

The workplace strategy component of the project was significant and connecting with all levels of the Redbubble team was crucial. 

As well as a Unispace WorkReady survey, focus groups, leadership interviews and functional briefing interviews and workshops, the Unispace strategy team hosted employee engagement workshops to ensure the new space would meet everyone at Redbubble’s needs.

Inclusivity, flexibility and belonging are the linchpins of this workplace

Along with meeting rooms, workstations, focus pods and ‘collaboration tables’ were introduced to support Redbubble’s 'pairing’ way of working, especially amongst engineers. 

Additional facilities include wellness spaces, casual lounges and gender-neutral bathrooms and a large communal kitchen designed for employees to cook together at mealtimes.

Championing collaboration and central to the Redbubble fitout is an expansive entry and breakout space that encourages social interaction throughout the day. 

This is a dynamic first impression space which supports teamwork and staff connection – it includes a product gallery space with joinery that enables flexibility for large gatherings.

Connection with the Redbubble artistic community was a key focus

Providing a variety of spaces to help people connect was a priority, as connection is a big part of Redbubble’s culture – connection among their employees and with the artists that make up their community.

With this in mind, Redbubble partnered with the creative management agency Just Another Agency to launch the Pillar Program. 

This initiative was designed to keep employees connected to the local arts community. 

The space includes 12 concrete columns ‘wrapped’ with the work of local street artists, creating opportunities for emerging artists to create large-scale works. 

Works are rotated monthly via an online Instagram competition run through Just Another Agency, maintaining a tangible connection with their community of artists.

Designed by: Unispace

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Shannon McGrath