Watercare’s agile office transformation
At a glance
Watercare’s mission was to become, through its digital transformation, more customer-focused, reliable, efficient and responsive to the changing needs of its Auckland customers.
The challenge
Watercare’s previous office space was outdated and was spread out over three floors, which created physical and visual barriers between staff, hindering collaboration and social interaction. Consequently, it aimed to create a new office space that provided flexibility, promoted collaboration and social interaction and reflected the company’s brand identity in the design.
Our response
The creation of an agile co-working space was a key factor in driving change, as it allowed for improved ways of working and facilitated collaboration among multiple teams within the business.
The new workplace is centred around the innovative ‘nerve centre,’ a communicative and communal hub that enables staff to respond to and pre-empt problems within the Watercare network. Visualisation is the key to the nerve centre’s operation, with large screens and interactive technology bringing the team together and providing a predictive layer to the maintenance of Auckland’s water supply.
This allows Watercare to anticipate and address problems before they occur, delivering timely maintenance and uninterrupted service.
Glazed partitions and carefully planned work points and collaboration areas provide visibility of the screens throughout the floor so that all staff members have access to the nerve centre. This encourages a collaborative work environment, where staff members can work together to address challenges and improve service delivery.
In addition to the nerve centre, the new workplace also features lockers, phone booths, meeting pods and a social hub, supporting new agile ways of working. The vibrant colours throughout the fit-out reflect the company’s branding hues and are offset with custom graphics inspired by water, creating a cohesive and visually appealing environment.
The reception area has also undergone a transformation, with changes in graphics, flooring and furniture, creating a more modern, approachable and cohesive space.
The impact
Overall, the new workplace design reflects Watercare’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence in service delivery, creating a dynamic and engaging work environment that supports staff members in their work.