Optalert At 3 Newton St: The Successful Delivery Of A Project Through The Challenges Of COVID

​This month we’re featuring our latest Property and Design project for Optalert – a project like no other we’ve ever delivered!

Innovative medtech company Optalert has partnered with BRM Projects as its trusted property and design consultants for the past ten to fifteen years. Over the long course of Optalert’s rise from tech startup to globally recognised brand, BRM has delivered three search, fitout and relocation projects across multiple CEOs and Executive teams. Despite our thorough understanding of Optalert’s evolving workplace needs and the longevity of our relationship , we had never faced challenges like those of the past year. Still, BRM managed to overcome this tumultuous period and successfully deliver Optalert’s new workplace.

Property Search Phase:

The Brief

Optalert is the innovator of a ground-breaking technology in the field of drowsiness and wakefulness detection. The company is now transitioning into pharmaceutical and neurological research, and the automotive industry. As its team grew and the functionality needs of its space broadened, Optalert’s management were looking to reward their staff with a brand new workspace. Following a difficult 2 years, the new office was to position Optalert as an employer of choice, with an impressive office design, in a quality building in Melbourne’s tech epicentre, Cremorne. After COVID, the new space would be used to draw staff members back to the office and provide a supportive and enjoyable space to work in.

The Challenge

With Optalert’s CEO based in Sydney and constant travel restrictions due to COVID, much of the decision making and property strategy took place online. The search was made even more challenging by safety restrictions and isolation periods in Melbourne.

The Outcome

A challenging property search resulted in the short listing of 4-6 target buildings. Out of these, Optalert selected the top level of 3 Newton St, a new boutique commercial building with great access and amenities and lots of personality,  in the heart of Cremorne. Their new home on Level 6 enjoys an abundance of natural light, wonderful views, plenty of fresh air access, a shared roof top, generous balconies and a contemporary End Of Trip Facility.

BRM’s property team successfully led the search and Heads of Agreement negotiation, before handing the project over to its Design and Project Management Team.

​Design Phase:
 
The Brief
 
In order to support its move into new spheres of innovation and technology, Optalert’s workspace needed to move forward too. The space was to be designed for the team, rather than the team needing to fit into a pre-designed space. The design itself was to be modern and progressive, supporting new ways of working. A bright workspace that was outward facing and conducive to collaboration which would represent Optalert’s evolution from small startup to global leader in its field.
 
 
The Challenge
 
The design and project management phase of Optalert’s project took place in the thick of Melbourne’s heaviest restrictions. The hurdles presented during COVID were not those typically faced in a design project. The team was therefore creative in its approach, despite numerous limitations involving the availability of materials, access to site, lockdowns and online design meetings.
 
The Outcome
 
BRM’s Design Team was able to successfully deliver Optalert’s brief, despite these limitations. Our client was hands on throughout the process with great design acumen and an eye for detail, allowing for an enjoyable collaboration that achieved even more than we expected. We also partnered with a range of suppliers that helped in delivering our vision.
 
The result is a light and bright space that exudes freshness, without being distracting. We have created dedicated areas for different functions, with enough public, client facing space, private space for team meetings and collaboration and the wonderful terrace, which acts as a third space and provides an open and airy change of scenery. Optalert’s workspace has now successfully transitioned out of the traditional office and into a modern environment that will support the wonderful work of its team.
 
Delivering the seemingly ‘undeliverable’ was an eye opening experience for BRM’s Property and Design Team and showed us how much we can achieve through great collaboration with our clients and  suppliers and maximising our own team’s capabilities and creative thinking.
 

​To discuss your project contact BRM today.