​The workplace has evolved incredibly – from a time when physical skill and labour were the main focus, to today’s landscape, dominated by technological advancements. It’s safe to say that the idea of work, and the worker, has undergone quite the transformation over the centuries.
 
So how do we prepare for the next step in the evolution of the workplace? The answer may be simpler than we thought.
 
In the current economic climate, businesses are pro-actively changing in response to the growing expectations of their workers.
Now that people are defining the future of work, we need to examine their needs, their values and their purpose. In doing so, companies are following all kinds of ‘workplace trends’ to attract top talent. But the successful workplaces are those that have three core elements at their centre: Technology, Design and Culture. Each element on its own is a kickstarter to a better workplace, but when used in support of each other, they are a recipe for a brand new paradigm of work, possibly the best we’ve seen so far. 

​‘The workplace of tomorrow’ is a term that most organisations are striving towards these days. It seems that everyone wants to hitch a ride on the workplace wellness bandwagon with companies adopting practices from agile working, to yoga and nap pods.
 
The real workplace of tomorrow, however, will be shaped by much more than a passing trend. In fact, the working landscape has already changed dramatically over the past decade and rapid changes continue to happen before our eyes. So how do we keep up? The answer may be simpler than you think…

BRM has absolutely loved working with Engine House and we've enjoyed watching this awesome co-working space expand into its new location in Balaclava, Victoria. Engine House represents everything that is great about the changing landscape of today's workplace. We recently sat down with one of its founders, Rod Janover to talk about his experience of building the ultimate in co-working spaces.

​When it comes to commercial property, change is inevitable. Leases will end, companies may grow and other issues, both external and internal, will rear their heads, forcing businesses to adapt and move forward. It goes without saying that stability and trustworthy relationships are paramount during these periods of change. 

Having a property advisor who can deliver a relocation project and fitout after years of guiding its client through various changes is uncommon, but BRM Projects provided this exact service to its client, Roads Australia ,and the results speak for themselves.

Discover how over 10 years of advice and project delivery from the same commercial property provider helped Roads Australia through some challenging periods…

The centrality of "wellness" in the workplace has become a much talked about topic within the commercial real estate industry. In fact, wellness has become a significant driving factor in decision making when it comes to the search for office space. This is because employers are increasingly putting their people first, offering their staff better services and conditions to retain talent and improve their bottom line. 

While initial concepts of "Wellness in the Workplace" were associated with free gym memberships and company yoga classes, business leaders are recognising that the wellbeing of their employees goes well beyond that. In searching for new workspaces, more and more companies are looking towards the property itself to determine how their people's experience will be.

Recently, Macquarie Group embarked on its first property project which will pursue WELL Certification ( a system developed by the International WELL Building Institute that measures how the built environment contributes to human health and wellbeing) and other property projects around the country are now placing a strong focus on what was once considered a passing trend.  What the WELL system shows, is that we can actually measure how the human experience is affected by the buildings we occupy and this has many implications for property strategy and search at the end of a commercial lease.

So what are the key wellness factors you should look out for as a tenant when searching for property?
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• Facilities and ammenities 

Things like End Of Trip Facilities, gyms, hospitality styles services and the provision of spaces that support a healthy, communal and enjoyable experience for tenants.

• The right mix of tenants

A carefully curated tenant mix reflects the experiential aspect of real estate that can truly help businesses flourish and succeed within their buildings. Tenants should look at moving into buildings with likeminded businesses, but not necessarily businesses of the same industry. An environment of diverse talent and personalities that can benefit from each other under the one roof is an ideal commercial property situation, which will add to an enhanced cultural experience for tenants. 

• Sustainability

Buildings that adhere to sustainability practices through eco friendly materials and various sustainable solutions have become far more important in recent years as businesses become more pro active about their role in the environment. 

• Physical elements of the building

The location of the building can be key to your staff's wellbeing, such as proximity to public transport and parking facilities, as well as the general vibrancy of the area. Other factors such as natural light, access to communal areas and outdoor space are also key to determining how wellness fits in to the property.
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​We love working on new projects with our existing clients. Optalert, is an exciting client, who has developed a technology that acts as an early warning drowsiness detection system. As its technology has grown and the company itself is increasingly becoming trusted by major global companies, its needs are changing, especially in the workplace itself and the property it occupies.
 
From our early property advisory work with the then new CEO Scott Coles in 2014, to the fitout of Optalert’s new offices that same year, BRM Projects has continued to act as Optalert’s trusted property partner throughout all of the its changes over the past few years.
 
Here is a preview of just some of the work BRM Projects has carried out for this fascinating company:

BRM was tasked with updating the workspace at Biarri Network in a way that reflected the young and innovative company culture, while solving some serious space issues. Office Manager, Suzzane Hutchinson offers us a quick glimpse into what the new space is all about.

​The world of commercial leasing can be tricky. Many businesses fall into the trap of becoming comfortable with their lease, not realising that it could pose serious limitations for them. Underestimating the importance of your commercial lease could be detrimental, while evaluating it with the help of a commercial property expert could actually add value to your business and set it up for a more stable future.
 
At BRM Projects, we see the following factors as central points of consideration when signing a new commercial lease or reviewing your current lease. 

Client: Kennedy Partners
Location: Melbourne, CBD
 
This family law firm, based in Melbourne, had been practicing from the same premises for 25 years. When Kennedy Partners decided to employ the Property Strategy services of BRM Projects in late 2016, it was facing a ‘Stay or Go’ decision. 

Over the past few decades, BRM Projects has secured its place as a leading provider of commercial property and workplace solutions. We know property, and we use this knowledge to provide our clients with an exceptional experience that goes beyond the signing of a lease. 

We’ve worked with all kinds of organisations, from professional services to large scale Not For Profits and Government Authorities. Aside from our vast client base, it’s our unique skillset as consultants that sets us apart from other property providers.