Space Lab - a living laboratory

Our school’s overall space strategy in action.

Without Space Lab, we wouldn’t have Melbourne Connect.

In late December, our Melbourne Connect Ambassadors visited Space Lab on Level 3, Block D to see a living example of our school’s overall space strategy in action.

Space Lab was designed as a pilot to test new ways of working across different groups within MSE, these groups represented Academics, Graduate Researchers and Professional Staff. The work space is completely reconfigurable, a raised access floor allows desks to be moved around, added in or removed from the space. A variety of different arrangements was tested and reviewed in anticipation for Melbourne Connect.

Overall the concept of Space Lab promotes an open plan working environment that encourages collaboration. The kitchen and social areas are separated from the quieter work space and a variety of different sized meeting rooms are offered.

All of these elements and learnings have been taken into consideration in the design of Melbourne Connect. In Space Lab we were able to learn what worked well and what needed to be improved for both individuals and teams. For example, meeting rooms for more than 3-4 people are located in the active hub not in the main work space. We have also added the benefits of arriving into an active, connected centre to encourage movement and a wide, open space with vertical, visual and physical connections.

Professor Andrew Western from the Department of Infrastructure Engineering recently appeared on a podcast with Evodia Alaterou from Hassell to discuss how this pilot work space changed the perceptions of its users. You can read more, and listen to the podcast here.