Over its 40-year history, the ABN Group has become Australia’s leading construction, property and finance company, a trusted brand closely intertwined with the 'The Great Australian Dream’ of home ownership. The dream of home ownership is deeply embedded into the psyche of Australians and continues to evolve with all who live here; immigrants, the modern family, couples and blended families. 

With ABN Group’s businesses divisions consolidating into one central location within a new building, the design team wanted to embrace the concept ‘where together, everyone achieves more’ and balance this with the sense of homeliness and welcome that is synonymous with the ABN brand. The fitout reflects ABN's passion for building, commitment to quality, their sense of fun, and desire to provide a warm and friendly experience for all their staff and clients. 

The whimsical phrase 'Home Among the Gum Trees' is a nod to the iconic Australian folk song, and a reference to the gum trees that line the southern facade of the building. The design team drew on historical themes of Australian home life and landscapes to create a collection of experiences for different spaces. A staple of the Australian backyard, the 'Hills Hoist' clothesline is represented with stylised hanging rods and curtains above social and collaborative spaces; while the 'Verandah' inspired Level 01 Business lounge is a collection of meeting settings along the facade line to have an informal chat. The sunken lounge under the ground floor stair is a nod to the 70's retro Australian aesthetic. Meetings rooms have abstracted gum leaf carpet patterns, and client meeting room walls are adorned with Indigenous patterned wall papers to reflect all things Australian. 

The new space allows for more onsite collaborative interactions between the various ABN Group business divisions that occupy the space, which in turn provides valuable support to industry training programs and promotes career opportunities within ABN Group and the building industry. All of this forms the holistic reimagining of the ABN Group businesses. 

Designing for diversity has been achieved throughout the fitout; low lockers for those who are wheelchair bound, parents (male or female) room from breastfeeding/feeding or pumping, a wellness room for sick and multi-faith requirements. In terms of workpoints, fixed sitting, fixed standing and a variety of other informal vs formal, open vs enclosed and collaborative vs focus settings are distributed equitably around the fitout to ensure every workstyle is supported. The entire workplace was also designed to be non-hierarchal so people of all roles of the business sit together. 

ABN's new home is a place where staff feel connected and comfortable in a space that reflects their brand identity - and they feel proud sharing this experience with their clients, who feel inherently 'at home'.