We sat down with BRM Projects Interior designer Beatrice Poirier Laforce to discuss our latest design project with OzChild which focuses on the need to create a child centred space in the organisation’s Front Of House area. Here are some of her ideas….

According to the Superfriend's "Thriving Workplace Survey 2017", a report on the current state of mental health in the Australian workplace, 2 out of every 5 workers reported that they had left a job because of a poor workplace mental health environment. 

October is Mental Health Month across Victoria,  and given that BRM Projects sees wellbeing as a central element in every one of our projects, today's blog will provide workplace leaders with some helpful tips on implementing and maintaining a mentally healthy workplace. 

In A Nutshell…
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Activity based working is rapidly taking over traditional ways of working. The flexibility and freedom to move throughout different spaces in the workplace is a highly valued and very necessary part of modern work. These spaces are tailored to different types of work activities and are used by employees for different purposes, making the workspace more dynamic and ultimately more productive. 

Leesman defines activity based working as more of a “business strategy” than a “workplace strategy”, providing multiple work settings to meet the individual’s working needs and helping them implement certain tasks. 

BRM Projects has always enjoyed working on meaningful projects for organisations with a powerful message. Our work in the Not-For-Profit sector has seen us working with teams and individuals who care about their cause and work tirelessly to promote it.
 
We’ve partnered with Mike Zervos in the past on a number of different projects for charities he has worked for, providing property advice and office fit-outs. We’re now excited to join him as commercial property advisors in his newest role as Chief Executive Officer for Courage to Care, an outreach program that uses the memory of the Holocaust to encourage the fight against prejudice and discrimination.
 
We recently sat down with Mike to talk about past experiences together and to discuss his current role in this fantastic initiative.

What Is A Make Good?

A ‘Make Good’ obligation is essentially what it sounds like. It is the tenant’s obligation, when reaching the end of the lease term, to ensure that they ‘make good’ the premises before leaving. This is a standard clause of most commercial leases requiring the tenant to return the property to the landlord in its original, clean and tidy state. 

Make Goods exist in order to be fair to both parties when it comes to the make good works the tenant will be required to undertake. A well drafted Make Good clause will specify how certain areas and items will be handled at the end of the lease, making it clear for everyone. This may involve fit-outs installed by the tenant or ownership of certain items within the property. Ultimately, the Make Good clause contributes to a more seamless leasing process and avoids disputes between the tenant and landlord upon the end of the lease. 

​The degree to which the social environment plays a role in our activity and motivation has been explored in countless studies. Organisations’ endless pursuit of greater collaboration has led to knocking down walls and removing spatial boundaries to allow for greater contact and interaction. It is widely believed that without such boundaries there will be room for increased collaboration, communication and overall support among staff. 

Many organisations have opted for open plan workplaces hoping that productivity will increase through shared access to materials and more quick and frequent interaction on connected tasks. The fans of open plan will staunchly defend the role of an open environment in building social support and a sense of community. 

But does an open workspace really improve collaboration? At BRM Projects we think it can. But, like everything else, there is a fine balance that needs to be achieved and with the proper layout, businesses can be just as productive, healthy and collaborative, as with a traditional office. 

​BRM’s extensive experience collaborating with not-for-profit and child-centric organisations has been reflected in a fantastic outcome for the accommodation strategy of OzChild, whose South-East operations were facing significant growth. Just this week, OzChild, under the guidance of BRM Real Estate, signed a long term lease at the former ATO building in Mason St Dandenong for what will become its first major office hub, in Victoria’s south east and the blueprint for future national offices. This is the first step in executing an accommodation strategy that BRM Projects has been involved in from late 2016. We are excited to move forward in implementing the next stages of the strategy, together with OzChild, in establishing the most effective workplace solutions for its expansion. 

There are certain projects we love delivering at BRM. Often they present a challenge by way of time or circumstance. WingArc Australia was one such project. 

BRM Projects came on board to offer strategic guidance at a time when WingArc Australia was undergoing a period of significant transition. Our involvement in the company’s move to a new workplace reflected the type of guidance we offer and how that guidance can make the difference between a quick fix and a truly successful outcome for the business.

​The team of property experts at BRM Real Estate is proud to have as its leader Peter Northwood, a commercial, industrial and retail property specialist with over 40 years of experience. We sat down with Peter last week to gain some insight into the world of commercial leasing and the importance of staying informed and protected as a tenant.

​Our recent work with The Australian Conservation Foundation saw a re-design of its office layout that resulted in an eco-friendly and efficient workspace. 

​When discussing sustainable workplaces, the question that often arises is whether a sustainable office space can be executed at a similar cost to that of a traditional office space. 

The answer is yes. 

In fact, a sustainable workplace can also lead to broader economic benefits for the company and improve its bottom line.