SEEK: A Looking Glass into the Future of Work

As a platform dedicated to connecting people with opportunity, SEEK has long placed strong emphasis on culture - prioritising collaboration, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging across its global workforce. It’s an ethos you would expect from a job marketplace, and one that is clearly reflected in the design of its Melbourne headquarters.

From the outset, employee experience was central to the workplace strategy. The 19,000-square-metre headquarters is conceived as a flexible, open-plan environment that can evolve over time to support the dynamic and people-focused culture SEEK promotes. Organised into a series of ‘neighbourhoods’, the layout encourages team-based working and informal interaction, reflecting a shift away from rigid departmental structures towards more fluid ways of working.

Set within Cremorne’s evolving tech precinct, SEEK’s global HQ challenges the conventional glass tower. Designed by Hassell as a contemporary warehouse, the building draws on the area’s industrial past. Defined by its twin gabled (A-frame) roofs, the structure presents a distinctive, factory-like silhouette that integrates seamlessly into the character of its neighbourhood.

This emphasis on connection is further reinforced through a diverse range of shared amenities. A rooftop terrace, gym, hospitality spaces, and social hubs on every floor position the workplace as a destination - supporting both productivity and social engagement. Larger-scale facilities, including a 1,000-person reconfigurable community space and a 400-person event space, enable the organisation to bring people together at scale, strengthening internal culture and community.

At the heart of the building, a seven-storey atrium connects the two gabled volumes, drawing natural light deep into the interior and anchored by a sculptural timber staircase. More than a visual feature, this central space acts as a physical and social connector - enhancing visibility across teams and encouraging movement throughout the workplace.

Maintaining a generous sense of openness without compromising acoustic performance, SEEK partnered with Arup to address sound control throughout the building. Autex Acoustics’ Quietspace® Panels were installed across approximately 15,000 m² of the interior, absorbing up to 85% of sound and supporting a more comfortable and focused working environment.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the project, aligning with SEEK’s broader commitment to long-term wellbeing. The building has achieved a 6-Star Green Star rating, alongside a 6-Star NABERS Energy rating and a 4.5-Star NABERS Indoor Environment rating. Features such as underfloor air distribution and integrated green spaces contribute to high indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

While the project spanned seven years from its conception, the interior fit-out (delivered by Buildcorp) was completed in just 19 weeks during the pandemic. The building has since been recognised with multiple industry awards, including the 2022 Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Architecture Award for Commercial Architecture.

More akin to a campus or a social hub than a conventional office, SEEK’s headquarters reflects a broader shift in workplace design, where culture is spatially embedded. In translating organisational values into built form, the project offers a considered model for the future of work.

Credits

Architecture & Interior Design
Hassell

Builder
Built

Fit-out
Buildcorp

Engineering & Sustainability
Arup

Joinery
JFK Interiors

Acoustic Solutions
Autex Acoustics

Photography

Peter Bennetts