Medical Assurance Society

Catalyst was engaged to provide a workplace strategy, design, project management, and construction services for the Medical Assurance Society (MAS) located in the PwC building on Wellington's Waterloo Quay. The project involved designing a new space on part of level 2 and adapting and reconfiguring a portion of the existing level 3 space.

MAS recognised the need to adapt to the changing workplace environment due to the impact of Covid-19. They aimed to create an office environment that would support hybrid working and foster a sense of community among employees. As several teams were being consolidated from their former Johnsonville offices into the CBD it was crucial to understand their individual requirements, working relationships, and team structure.  

One of the key objectives was to provide a space that would facilitate collaboration and social connection, adding value to the office experience and ensuring a smooth transition into the CBD premises.

To achieve this, Catalyst conducted comprehensive workshops across multiple business units at MAS, seeking to understand their specific requirements, business unit adjacencies, and working behaviours. Also, a utilisation study was conducted to gather data on overall occupancy, technology usage, meeting room requirements, peak occupancy periods, and general occupation across all business units. This data formed the basis of the design brief, which Catalyst used to develop the design.

By engaging trades early on and carefully planning the project, Catalyst's project management team ensured the project would be delivered on time and within budget. As the site was occupied, and some staff needed to work from the office during construction, the construction team took great care to minimise disruption. The works were staged across the two levels to accommodate staff needs.

Based on the findings, Catalyst identified the lack of social spaces and digital detox areas as key areas for improvement. The kitchen was relocated to a prime location with waterfront views, creating a larger social space to support staff wellbeing. In collaboration with an AV consultant, Catalyst introduced VC and quiet rooms equipped with new technology and software, addressing the lack of connectivity identified in the data gathering process. The aim was to facilitate communication and collaboration among staff working in hybrid environments, regardless of their location.

The design incorporated a fresh warm colour palette with vibrant blues, timbers, and plants to enhance the space and provide a cohesive look. The layout utilised zoning and introduced touchdown areas, quiet rooms, collaborative spaces, and social areas, aligning with the workplace strategy, and accommodating new ways of working, thus attracting staff to the office following the decline of Covid-19.

Catalyst's design-build approach allowed for early collaboration with trades, enabling the repositioning and reuse of the majority of the kitchen and storage joinery. This decision was not only cost-effective but also environmentally conscious, reducing the need for additional materials, minimising lead times, and streamlining the involvement of multiple trades.

Thorough planning and coordination with Catalyst's internal construction management team allowed for a staged construction approach. This approach ensured that level two could be completed and made available for staff use while the level three works were in progress. Providing available workspace for staff during the construction phase was a crucial requirement for the client.

Innovative design thinking was applied by Catalyst, resulting in the reuse of existing carpet feature tiles in a new pattern. This seamless integration of flooring materials eliminated the need for additional tile orders, resulting in cost savings and a significant reduction in the otherwise 12-week lead time.

Overall, Catalyst successfully delivered a workplace solution for MAS that addressed their specific needs in response to the Covid-19 impact. The project showcased Catalyst's expertise in workplace strategy, design, project management, and construction, resulting in a functional and aesthetically pleasing office space that supported hybrid working, fostered collaboration, and created a positive office experience for the MAS team.

• Project team

• Grant Heighway,

• Adrien Serasse,

• Tessa Leonard,

• Anya Kouzminova,

• Jamie Oakley,

• Scott Wright,