Monash University
Monash Business School Fitouts
A thoughtful interior fit-out balancing openness and privacy, professionalism and comfort, and sophistication and warmth
When two previously tenanted, adjacent spaces became available within the Monash University owned 30 Collins Street building in the Melbourne CBD, they were provided to Monash Business School to tenant as they wished. Between 2018 and 2020, BKK Architects worked on these fit-out projects for Monash Business School: the first for the Australian Centre for Financial Studies (now known as the Monash Centre for Financial Studies) and the second for a new Alumni Centre next door.
Monash Centre for Financial Studies (MCFS) is a not-for-profit research centre specialising in leading-edge finance and investment research which bridges the gap between academia and industry and supports Australia’s place as an international centre for finance practice, research, and education. Founded by a consortium of Australian universities in 2005, MCFS was acquired by Monash University in 2015.
The relocation of MCFS to this new fitout, located at the Paris End of Collins Street, coincided with the Centre’s full integration into Monash Business School, and enabled them to take advantage of the opportunities that come along with closer proximity to the Big Four accounting firms in the city. The MCFS project involved gutting and replacing the tenancy’s entire interiors with a high-end commercial fit-out that would allow the Centre to grow.
Big-picture Thinking
Our approach to the MCFS fit-out blends high-end design with thoughtful functionality. Competing with the luxurious fit-outs of the Big Four, the brief for the new MCFS was to offer equal professionalism and comfort, appealing to high-performing graduates who might otherwise choose employment with leading firms.
We prioritised creating an environment that balances openness with privacy. Unlike conventional office layouts where senior staff desks claim the best views in the house, MCFS design uses full-height windows and an open-plan workspace to maximise visual connection for everyone in the space. At the same time, we addressed specific privacy concerns by including private phone booths and meeting spaces to accommodate a range of professional day-to-day needs across the organisation.
Collaboration and Humility
From the outset we worked closely with MCFS representatives and faculty members, as well as a Monash University project manager, fostering a collaborative environment where we could freely exchange and refine ideas. Early-phase testing of office layouts was particularly collaborative. One key result of these sessions was the integration of small lounge breakout spaces – places where staff can relax, eat lunch and connect with colleagues. This seemingly simple inclusion became crucial in fostering a sense of community within the design.
With a small footprint and low ceilings, the integration of services infrastructure proved particularly challenging. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure all systems met compliance standards while upholding the original vision for the design.
Playfulness and Innovation
This project is characterised by meticulous attention to detail, transforming a conventional office layout into a welcome and thoughtfully designed space. Our design incorporates a level of detail befitting of a residential project, like curated furniture pieces and crafted end cap details on office partitions, adding unexpected touches of sophistication and warmth. Though subtle in nature, these finer details play a significant role in making the space feel inviting and wholly considered.
Overall, we aimed to ensure the space meets both functional requirements and the expectations of a discerning, professional workforce, to support MCFS’s goal of attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive market.
Transformative Places, Holistic Benefits
Our MCFS fit-out demonstrates how a thoughtfully designed workplace can deliver holistic benefits beyond its functional requirements. The result is a design that exceeded the original brief and an environment that’s at once comfortable and innovative, contributing to the Centre’s plans for future expansion.