“It’s everything a workspace should be”: Inclusivity by design at the new Microsoft ANZ offices
One in six Australians and Zealanders live with a disability. Yet many workplaces aren’t designed with their needs in mind.
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of Sydneysiders are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. And in Aotearoa, one in 20 adults identify as being LGBTQIA+. So why are restrooms in so many offices signposted with symbols that just don’t apply to some of us?
How can a person be at their most productive if they’re unable read directions, or can’t hear something that others can?
As human beings we are all unique. And with many of us filtering back into the workplace, it’s important that we can bring our whole selves to the office. This was core to our thinking at Microsoft ANZ when we designed our new offices in Sydney and Auckland.
Accessible design in Auckland
Riki Plester, Accessibility Lead for the redesign of Microsoft ANZ’s new Auckland headquarters, couldn’t be happier with the company’s new digs, and he’s not alone.
“Feedback from employees has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s not like we’ve made a few minor adjustments, it’s a complete rethink and it’s now everything that a workspace should be,” he says.
To reimagine the Auckland offices, Plester’s team partnered with the accessibility design firm Be. Lab. This company ensures offices are fully accessible, enabling all employees to participate and thrive.
This partnership resulted in the entire Auckland office space being reworked to accommodate different levels of mobility. Along with this, all signs are now in the three official languages of Aotearoa: English, Māori and Braille. At the same time, the office’s meeting spaces have all been acoustically redesigned for employees with hearing challenges.
The newly refurbished office opened in June 2022 with a traditional Māori blessing.
The Sydney workspace
In June 2021 Microsoft opened up a brand new Sydney headquarters.
The design of the space was guided by a principle of ‘accessibility in action’ – a space where every employee can feel included and able to perform at their best.
Outdated and non-inclusive symbols are gone. Signposting for restrooms does not use gender-specific terminology. And with so many employees and visitors having babies or toddlers, Microsoft installed accessible changing facilities in easy-to-access restrooms. Breastfeeding mothers can also have privacy and a space to relax in a designated area within a wellbeing precinct.
In meeting rooms and rest areas, lecterns and counters have been designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and workstations are all adjustable.
Every sign in the new space includes a version in Braille, and a talking microwave has been fitted into the kitchen for further ease at meal or snack times. Signs have been placed in consistent spots throughout the building, making them easily discoverable. The size of the chosen font, along with the clear contrast between background and foreground, makes the directions on these signs easier to read for people with low vision.
A welcoming workplace
The aim is for all employees to be able to thrive in these new Sydney and Auckland headquarters. They are spaces where people can feel comfortable, be productive and celebrate their individuality.
As Plester says, “We’re really excited about the outcome. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone into the office and reconnecting after a pretty unique and challenging time. It’s really nice to have a space that we can use for this purpose and have it truly be accessible to everyone.”