Designed for Our Community Group – a company offering information technology support, training and tools to not-for-profit and social enterprise organisations – the space brings together like-minded businesses in four co-working neighbourhoods featuring a mix of private offices, open-plan workstations and breakout settings in Melbourne’s North. The project was to reimagine an existing dysfunctional office space into a colourful co-working office for Our Community. The site comprises of two buildings; the rear with a pitched tin roof over steel trusses and the front a concrete construction, featuring an ‘eggcrate’ slab and dominant column grid. The fit out required accommodation for 240 desks, offices, meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, gender neutral amenities, recycling facilities, event space and cafe within 1906sqm of ground floor area. A contrast to the fun and frivolity of the aesthetic brief, which was a reflection of the vibrancy and character of the company and its employees, the floor plan required careful and strategic planning; finding balance in amenity, co-working spaces, private spaces for the team, and the front of house café and reception. By exposing the raw materials and simple forms, the building’s natural beauty was uncovered and celebrated. These harsher elements were softened through the injection of colour, soft finishes and artwork ensuring a vibrant outcome on a very tight budget. We sought to create a space that provided a framework for the not-for-profit sector to evolve and grow, and drawing inspiration from the transformative nature of art, colour, light and nature. Studio Tate has successfully aligned the vision for OC House with the organisation’s strategic goals and core values. The outcome is a contemporary co-working environment that maintains community focus whilst offering pragmatic function, the first of its kind in Australia. Key design ideas include flexible working options, communal areas and generous breakout facilities. The spaces vary from open lounges to enclosed meeting rooms and acoustic booths, allowing for a variety of uses. The kitchen and dining room presents itself as the central hub, encouraging conversation and social interaction. With limited resources, not-for-profits and social start-ups often work in less than desirable conditions, so the ‘house’ was an opportunity to demonstrate how intelligent design can positively impact communication, productivity and wellbeing in this sector. It is an excellent example of how thoughtful planning, clever use of materials and the considered use of colour can bring big impact on a small budget. The integration of artwork into the design was key, and represents a cross section of artists and media. Greenery was introduced to encourage a connection to nature whilst informal meeting spaces intentionally peppered throughout the work floor encourage impromptu conversation and collaboration. The inclusion of parent and milk-expressing rooms, gender inclusive bathrooms, solar heating and cooling efficiencies, ergonomic sit to stand desks and a comprehensive recycling and waste management system all work to support a modern co-working environment.