South32 South Africa

Leveraging off the success and learnings of Singapore, South32’s new offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, consolidated from 3 levels to a single floor plate of 2400m2. Importantly, South32 engaged in an in-depth staff survey to ensure the Global Workplace strategy could be adapted to local requirements and culture.

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In 2019 South32 reviewed its accommodation strategy in their current headquarters using Listening, Learning and Evolving methodology. Three aspirational pillars emerged shaping the new workplace standard for South32 being Lifestyle, Connectivity and Flexibility.

The Covid-19 Pandemic turned notions of normality upside down. Employees were encouraged to learn new behaviours, adopt new technologies and adjust to new ways of working. This supported even further the adoption of flexible work arrangements re-assuring the strategy of reducing the requirement of office area.

The Singapore office was designed and built during the pandemic using the same strategy of area reduction and implementation of flexible workstyles, prioritising functionality with a diverse menu of settings supporting diversity and inclusion. The new Johannesburg workplace is an embodiment of all the best features of Perth and Singapore within a local expression.

The reception welcoming space which includes formal and informal meeting spaces is generous with access to natural light from both sides, speaking immediately to South32’s emphasis on wellness.

A digital art gallery exhibits South32’s extensive local art collection unable to be physically displayed. The Reception connects naturally with an activated front of house zone, accommodating a large multipurpose room, a 60 person highly functional breakout space fully equipped with USB points capable of being used as secondary work points. A wellness room, parents room and combined front and back of house meeting rooms complete this space.

The highlight of the new Johannesburg office is their 414m2 outdoor balcony, previously under-utilised, forming a strong relationship with the breakout space connecting outdoors with indoors. An impressive pergola structure with planters, moveable shading fabric and retractable wind breakers encloses an additional 55 seats ranging from café tables to high bar tables overlooking a grassed area for games and entertainment.

Work zones were divided into two distinct neighbourhoods. One being designed to accommodate contractors and teams with transactional functions varying from individual to team-based functions. Although an un-allocated seating method was adopted, the team based working area was designed to enable effective team cohesion whilst providing a level of standardisation in an agile and fixed workspace, supported by appropriate spaces for collaboration and floor huddles each equipped with dedicated monitor screens and whiteboards.

The second activity zone was designed for focused and individual work within executive teams, visually connected but having its own line of acoustic separation and security. The space includes a second tea point with seating to bring people together, and a 12-person boardroom technologically enabled to mirror the Perth HQ boardroom for a seamless experience.

The entire workspace was designed to carefully attend to the various functions and requirements of each team. Although an open style, communicative workplace, neighbourhoods have equivalent access to amenities and support spaces such as utility areas, lockers, phone booths, meeting rooms, VC rooms and wellness facilities.