An Exclusive behind the scenes at Intrepid’s new HQ
An office with a spinning lunch wheel, repurposed antique doors, elephant sculptures and a ping pong table?
It’s the new Intrepid Group office and the team has worked hard to ensure their space looks very different to the corporate modern building it is found in.
Relocating from Fitzroy, managing director James Thornton told assembled staff and stakeholders at a launch on Friday night that this office space is more economical than their previous lease.
The company is still operating from a start up mentality, staff said, with this office set to be a future-proofed bastion for the 230 strong team.
The design remit was commissioned by one of Intrepid’s own, graphic designer Liam Neal.
The reception is called the arrivals lounge, and there is a cork global map on the first wall you see where staff can take their name tag and pin it on the country they are in when they are working out of office.
There’s a large open plan kitchen for entertaining at the centre of the office floor, accompanied by a beer garden by a window overlooking Collins Street.
Designers sourced recycled furniture to create flexible zones that feel like a home away from home, including authentic Turkish rugs from Intrepid’s office in Istanbul.
The secondary kitchen has a “meal of fortune” wheel, to help staff decide which lunch venue they should frequent. If they don’t like the choice, they can spin again for a donation to the Intrepid Foundation.
There is a clean desk policy, aided by lockers, which founder Darrell Wade said was keeping him honest.
“So much of our history was hiding away in boxes and we wanted to bring it out and celebrate it, keep the important things, without unnecessary hoarding,” Wade said.
One way they have referenced their history is through lightbox displays of archival photography, as below.
There is also the original sign from the first Melbourne store on display in the main meeting room.
In homage to Intrepid’s pioneering stance to end elephant rides, there are three elephant sculptures by Australian artist Tom Rippon found throughout the office.
“Last year we went through the biggest change ever to our business, and instead of slowing us down – it’s lit a fire that we just couldn’t have predicted,” Thornton said.
“Sales have been fantastic with all brands smashing targets. We can’t wait to host our industry friends in our new space. The energy is tangible.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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