At Adelaide’s Festival Tower, Zenith delivered furniture solutions across two concurrent workplace projects for a leading banking client, a new 10,000sqm fitout across five floors and a 12,000sqm light refurbishment within an occupied tenancy.

The brief was to create contemporary workplaces that supported agile working, collaboration and employee wellbeing, while providing consistency across office locations. Flexibility and sustainability were also key priorities, with the client seeking to maximise the life of existing furniture assets while introducing new solutions that could adapt to future workplace needs.

Zenith was engaged directly by the client during the early planning stages, prior to head contractor appointment. Working closely with RCP Australia, IA Design, Hodgkison, FDC and Built, Zenith provided furniture design development, product selection, workplace prototyping and technical coordination across both projects.

Designing for continuity and change

A key challenge was integrating a significant volume of existing workstation inventory with new Zenith Orbis workstations. Rather than replacing existing assets, Zenith re-engineered and repurposed components wherever possible, adapting workstation configurations to create a consistent workplace experience across the floorplates.

This approach supported the client’s circular fitout ambitions, reducing waste while extending the useful life of existing furniture. It also contributed to the broader sustainability objectives of the project, including the client’s ambitious 5 Star Green Star and 6 Star NABERS targets.

Prototyping with purpose

Early furniture engagement was critical to resolving design approvals and technical requirements before construction. The Precinct Focus Pods underwent extensive prototyping to refine cable management and ensure seamless coordination with electrical and communications trades.

With stakeholders located across different states, prototyping was undertaken in both South Australia and New South Wales. Multiple reviews allowed users and project teams to test solutions, provide feedback and resolve technical details before final manufacture and installation — helping minimise risk and installation challenges on site.

A flexible workplace platform

The final furniture solution combines Orbis workstations, Precinct Focus Pods, Jac Sled Stools and Kissen Conference Fixed Tables, creating a diverse mix of settings for focused work, collaboration and social interaction.

By standardising the workstation platform across both project locations, the client can relocate, reconfigure and reuse furniture as organisational requirements evolve. This provides long-term flexibility while helping reduce future capital expenditure and further extending product lifespan.

The result is a contemporary workplace strategy that brings together new and existing furniture assets, supporting employee choice and collaboration while delivering on the client’s sustainability and future-focused workplace ambitions.

The success of the two projects has continued the relationship between Zenith and the client, with Zenith subsequently engaged on the client’s next Melbourne-based fitout.