Sustainability highlights
Strategic sustainability initiatives were decided at the outset and delivered through an integrated build process. Each chosen system reinforced the key drivers of the project — collaboration, life-long learning and well-being. Sustainable highlights include:
- sustainably sourced natural materials including 12 different species of FSC certified timbers
- the elimination of harmful products such as lead, CFCs and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to enhance well-being
- waste minimisation via an integrated build process through the recycling of both materials and organic matter
- reduced energy and water consumption via the sourcing of energy and water-efficient products including tapware, refridgerators and dishwashers
- indoor air quality is boosted via thousands of indoor plants and trees, which create a truly biophilic environment that is quite literally ‘alive’
Connection to Country
AMP’s commitment to Indigenous engagement is expressed through the consultation of Indigenous community members who were deeply embedded in the design process. Throughout the design process, Hassell and AMP were committed to engaging and reflecting their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) policies in recognising First Nations peoples.
Circular designs in spatial planning reflect yarning circles, which are integral in Indigenous culture. Integrating Indigenous art by emerging artists onto furniture illustrates storylines of the Gadigal people’s connection to the sea, land and sky. With permission, Gadigal language was used to name workplace settings based on their intended purpose such as ‘Gilli baya’ meaning ‘Ignite the conversation’.
Locally sourced timber, fine art and commissioned ceramic installations were also utilised to form a meaningful connection to Country and show deep respect for First Nations peoples and their culture. A sandstone carving of a whale — the totem of the Gadigal people — marks the heart of the boardroom, further reinforcing AMP’s location with its ‘place’ on Gadigal Country.
The workplace
In the first week of AMP opening the doors to its new workspace, more people returned to the office than in the entire two years since the pandemic began — a testament to the magnetic effect of this workplace design.
Conceived pre-COVID as a place of equality — where everyone is welcomed, supported and valued — this remarkable workplace is the physical embodiment of trust, openness and transparency that rewards advocacy and positive contribution.
AMP’s tenancy spans 19 floors from levels 17 to 35 capturing breath-taking views across the city, Sydney Harbour, and out to the Pacific Ocean. Principal and Commercial and Workplace sector leader Domino Risch led Hassell’s team to deliver the workplace vision that intertwines values and communities into vertical villages.
A magnificent spiral staircase by 3XN connects workplaces on all 19 floors and a series of Hassell-designed bridges intersect across the void, promoting uncommon transparency throughout all levels.
“Experiencing such a large workplace by climbing the stairs and passing through the beautiful, greenery-laden vertical villages brings a sense of connection, shared purpose and joy.”
— Indesign
Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
Contemporary work settings meet every functional need. Our design offers spaces and settings that support neurodiversity, varying workstyles and individual preferences to suit personalities ranging from ‘introvert’ to ‘extrovert’.
People are free to choose the settings and places that work best for them, taking advantage of spaces designed to recognise and support flexibility and diversity in human performance, collaboration and learning styles, and that nurture wellbeing.
Natural materials sync with the biophilic interior environment. Twelve beautiful and predominantly locally-sourced timbers resonate with thousands of trees and plants that combine to produce a comfortable and productive atmosphere.
Narrative threads
Celebrating AMP’s history and purpose, the workplace includes various narrative threads including touch points such as the AMP motto ‘Amicus certus in re incerta’ (A certain friend in uncertain times) being embedded in bronze in both Latin and braille in the centre of the main boardroom table.
Echoing the adjacent heritage-listed 33 Alfred Street AMP Centre (Sydney’s first skyscraper) and providing strong links to the Circular Quay site we used original Louis Poulsen pendants from the 1976 lobby, loose furniture (now in its third life) and mosaic tiles throughout. Custom ‘Opera White’ stained Fritz Hansen chairs reference the Danish connection through 3XN’s Quay Quarter Tower building and the famous sails of Utzon’s Sydney Opera House.
