Macquarie Group Global Headquarters workplace design

Macquarie’s global headquarters in Sydney’s Martin Place is a dynamic, light-filled workplace designed for community, collaboration, and sustainability. Featuring advanced technology, wellbeing facilities, and amenities such as a hospitality floor and public art gallery, it offers an adaptable, connected and collaborative environment that enhances the experience of both employees and guests. The new building provides Macquarie with an innovative, purposeful, and inspiring environment, that supports its dynamic workforce. Advanced technology, including a fully integrated 5G network, facilitates a flexible work-from-anywhere environment throughout the building. All design decisions across the project were rigorously assessed to provide Macquarie with a purposeful environment that provides long term flexibility. Typical floors were designed to be flexible to adapt to business needs evolving over time. A unique typical floor plan was developed to deliver work floors containing a 25% fixed zone – including meeting spaces that promote collaboration – with the remaining 75% a flexible zone that was scenario tested to adapt across all business units, providing ultimate flexibility. As Cultural Advisor, Balarinji facilitated consultation with locally connected First Nations people as well as providing a Designing with Country framework, co-designed and community-endorsed narrative and site-specific art response. A notable installation, ‘Laughing Stars’ by Gomeroi artist Suzy Evans, adorns the atrium ceiling, injecting energy into the workplace. The artwork is inspired by First Nations astral knowledge and stories of Sky Country. Modern-day interpretations of rock carvings created by Jamie Eastwood with sandstone harvested from the site during the excavation phase feature throughout the outdoor terrace, while Frances Belle Parker’s ‘Cheeky Lorikeets’ are installed throughout the lightwell space. The design team also engaged with Aspect Studios and Yerrabingin to develop a landscaping strategy with a native-first approach. The project achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design rating and targets net-zero emissions in normal operations. Design decisions reflect a commitment to sustainability, focusing on energy and material efficiency with a limited materials palette. Sustainable procurement principles were adopted for furniture, including significant reuse from previous sites. The design approach also sought to honour the base building architecture by minimising use of internal fit out materials, such as the absence of internal ceilings within the workplace. The use of locally sourced, recycled materials reduced embodied carbon within the fit out, while providing potential for disassembly and material reuse. Use of modular joinery for kitchen zones for all typical floors, as well as the use of demountable meeting pod systems, supports ongoing flexibility and sustainability. The building features a 100% electric design in normal operations, automated resource-efficient systems, and extensive biophilic elements, showcasing a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship. The project is an example of a people-first, efficient environment, designed to meet the diverse needs of Macquarie’s people and businesses.