1,281 m2 - $1.7M, 10 weeks on site. Practical completion 2021.
VicHealth had never relocated their headquarters since their inception 25 years ago.
Dr.Sandro Demaio became CEO in Sept 2019 and with the lease expiring, an opportunity to start afresh in a new office, in the historic Sands and McDougall building (1889).
The vision articulated by Sandro and the executive team to create a place for all Victorians and knowing it was taxpayers’ funds; wisely spend keeping to budget and program. All against the backdrop of the unprecedented Covid-19 challenges.
This important milestone in VicHealth’s ongoing timeline was entrusted to us and Monto Projects developed a strategy from concept to completion, with the project delivered a week ahead of program (incl snap lockdown) and under budget. Fully transparent and adhering to Victorian Government processes, Monto Projects are very proud of realising this Vision.
Unique to this project is the promotion of regional artists (some vision and hearing impaired) with display of their work throughout the spaces as full height murals. Monto Projects, VicHealth and Multicultural Arts Victoria went through a rigorous selection, mockup review and consent process.
“The process of designing a new space and hub for Victoria is an enormous responsibility for any CEO and their leadership team. Even more so when delivering for government. But knowing we had an honest, experienced and professional partner in you and Monto made a huge difference.
Generations of VicHealth staff, and Victorians, will now benefit from your hard work in delivering a fabulous outcome.”
Dr Sandro Demaio - CEO | VicHealth
Fitout Project Team
Head Contractor: Harris HMC
Architect / Interior Designer: Group GSA
Project Manager: Monto Projects
Services Engineer: Compass Engineering Group
Quantity Surveyor: Prowse Quantity Surveyors
AV Consultant: SKS Technologies
Acoustic Engineer: WSP
Building Surveyor: Krneta
Fire Engineer: Intuitive Consulting
Structural Engineer: Meinhardt Bonacci
Change Management Consultant: M Moser Associates
Artwork
All artwork by artists selected and curated by Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV)
Vinyl murals - Design to Print
Base Building Team
Landlord: Avari Capital Partners
Building Management: Lemon Baxter
Photography - Gallant Lee
Progress photos - Monto Projects
Key Design Features
Artwork to represent Victorian Health Promotion Hub / VicHealth brand & vision
Communal kitchen and open collaboration areas to connect with staff and partners
Planting & natural materials throughout for a healthy workplace
Quiet nooks for focused work and contemplation
Video Conferencing enabled meeting rooms with acoustic treatment
Fun Facts
Waste Report: 88.19% of all waste was recycled for the month of January.
Acoustic Spray: The acoustic spray installed on this project is an Australian Made acoustic insulation made of 80% recycled content. It’s made from recycled paper and natural fibres. It is also has fire resistant properties, acoustic properties and thermal properties.
The Interface Carpet Tiles installed are manufactured in Australia and delivered locally from Sydney. Interface are dedicated to sustainability and have a recycling program for old carpet tiles, as well as a program which turns discarded fishing nets into carpet tiles. Interface Carpet tiles are also carbon neutral across their full product life cycle.
Betta Stone benchtop: Made of recycled glass and Crystalline Silica Free
Appliances selection and energy efficiency: - energy and water efficient appliances have been selected throughout the fitout, including 4 star WELS taps in the kicthen and 4 star energy and 5.5 star WELS dishwashers
Cork: environmentally friendly and a low VOC material, cork is a naturally sound absorptive material
Furniture: Nicholls Design tables in the lunch area and the bookshelves as well as the Relm stools in the kitchen are manufactured locally in Victoria.
No. of Workpoints: 79 (including focus point and reception)
No. of Meeting Rooms- Small: 3
No. of Meeting Rooms- Medium: 6
No. of Meeting Rooms- Large: 2
No. of Open Collaboration Areas: 5 (kitchen/creative collab, east amphitheatre, west amphitheatre, casual meet & north-west corner)
Average Distance to Daylight (workpoint to window): 6m - Exceeds highest standard according to the Green Building Council
Sands and McDougall Building history
Former Sands and McDougall Factory and Warehouse: Sands and McDougall was a publishing house known for its annual directories for Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. The first Melbourne directory was published by the company in 1857.
By 1897 the company publication records the activities of no less than 16 separate departments in the building, including Box Making, Writing Ink Making, Cheque Department, Lithographic Printing, Rubber Stamps, Bank Note Room and the Publishing Department.
For the production of the Melbourne Directory, the workforce was divided into the outdoor staff and the indoor staff. The outdoor staff members were responsible for gathering the required information. The so-called “walkers” tramped the streets of Melbourne, knocking on doors to ask the names and occupations of each building’s occupiers.
The information gathered by the walkers was collated by the indoor staff and prepared for publication. As well as a street-by-street record of building residents and their occupations, the directory provided alphabetical listings of residents and of practitioners of trades and professions.