Youi is one of the Sunshine Coast’s largest private sector employers. An established insurance brand, their dynamic culture sets the tone for the integrated workplace design – focused on building connection and driving open conversation within their workforce, and with their customer base. As one of the catalyst projects within the emerging Sippy Downs business and technology precinct, the PCA A-Grade development was projected to inject more than AU$1.2B into the regional economy at the time of its construction.

Developed on a 4.9HA greenfield site, the project borders the Sunshine Coast University, sporting precinct, primary school and retail centre. The design maintains a strong connection to the public plaza and aligns with the sweeping boulevard leading to the future University. As a focal point in the masterplan, the development is designed to be a strong gateway to the precinct, and supports the developing area as a benchmark for regional workplace design.

Core to the design brief was managing a strong workplace wellness experience for their large team – a key driver for staff retention and recruitment in the regional location. Working in a cellular call centre environment, we used the shared workplace amenity to drive the social culture of the organisation.

The buildings’ programming enabled a shared café and landscaped space at the rooftop level, fostering social connection and offering relief from working floors. At the base of the building, shared public BBQ and landscape amenity contributed to the community activation at the base of the building. Co-located at the ground level public space was a café tenancy, encouraging clients, staff, and the public to activate the ground plane.