A Bold Step Forward: Unity Water’s New HQ at North Lakes, Brisbane.

Unity Water’s new headquarters boldly reinvents its corporate identity and brand, encapsulating a space where culture, design, and functionality combine. This transformative project reflects the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation, creating an inspiring environment that serves as a hub for employees and visitors.

The design of this remarkable headquarters was brought to life by TVS Architects , who specialise in creating spaces that bridge the past and the future. By drawing on Unity Water’s legacy and regional identity, TVS Architects developed a design that resonates with the organisation’s values while setting the stage for future growth. Through thoughtful design principles and future-proofing every element, they created a workplace that supports current teams and positions Unity Water to attract and retain top talent. Their commitment to maximising the value of spaces ensures lasting benefits for clients and end users alike.

As a leading water and sewerage services provider in Southeast Queensland, Unity Water serves over 1.5 million customers across a vast 17,000 km2 region. Known for their dedication to sustainability and innovation, they deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality water services to the community—values now mirrored in their dynamic and inclusive headquarters.

A Curated Design Solution – Custom Carpets combined with Complimentary Collections.

At Unity Water's headquarters, every design element weaves together to tell a story, bringing the designer's vision to life. Milliken’s custom-designed carpets, paired with the Velvet and Distinct Forms carpet collections, and Metro Park LVTs, create a successful blend of aesthetics and user experience.?

The custom carpet takes centre stage, reflecting the vibrant waterways of the Moreton Bay region. With bold blues and vibrant oranges drawn from Unity Water’s corporate identity, the design connects the brand to the natural beauty of its operational area. Dark walnut finishes ground the energetic tones, adding warmth and sophistication.

The Velvet collection in the ‘Crushed Velvet’ design introduces a luxurious tactile layer to the space. Its rich textures and muted colour palette evoke a sense of comfort and elegance, creating a visually stunning contrast to the bold patterns of the carpet. This collection enhances the space’s aesthetic appeal and contributes to its overall sensory experience, adding depth and dimension to the design.

Distinct Forms, featuring its geometric ‘Construction’ pattern in Spatial Tan, subtly reflects the structural elements of the built environment. Its textures and neutral palette offer the ideal grounding, enhancing the custom carpet’s bold narrative while balancing the overall floor aesthetics.

The Metro Park LVT collection introduces another level of sophistication, featuring ‘Made of Stone’ in Arts Avenue in Fairmount colourway, which offers a variety of natural stone textures for uninterrupted, continuous surface environments. Meanwhile, ‘Made of Wood’ in Applewood in Cider colourway captures the intricate beauty of wood installations, adding warmth and a touch of nature.

Effortless Inspired Design: Milliken’s PrintWorks? Technology and Customisation Process in 4 Steps

Milliken’s 4-step customisation process, powered by their innovative PrintWorks? technology, made realising Unity Water’s bespoke carpet vision a seamless experience. The process commenced with the concept stage, during which the design team presented their vision through digital concepts and inspirational imagery. Detailed discussions clarified key project requirements and objectives while existing collections were examined for potential recolouring or modifications to fit the desired palette.

Moving into the define stage, Milliken transformed the initial ideas into tangible design proposals. This involved refining precise details such as colours, patterns, and project specifications to ensure they were perfectly scaled, tonally balanced, and texturally aligned. Advanced visualisation tools, including room scenes, seaming diagrams, and floor layouts, were employed to bring the design concept vividly to life within the office environment.

The refinement stage involved a collaborative effort to fine-tune the design and ensure it meticulously matched Unity Water’s vision. Sample tiles allowed the team to evaluate the colours and patterns in real-world conditions. Rigorous quality checks ensured the design met all project requirements before moving to production.

Finally, the approved design was brought to life during the produce stage using Milliken’s state-of-the-art Millitron technology. This advanced process enabled the creation of intricate patterns, texture effects, and unique colour combinations. Close communication with Milliken’s dedicated key account representative ensured transparency and a smooth delivery process. With a three-week turnaround, the custom carpet was completed efficiently while maintaining exceptional quality.

This streamlined approach made TVS Architects realise its vision effortlessly, resulting in a bespoke carpet design that successfully met their expectations. The final product reflects the Moreton Bay region's natural beauty and embodies Unity Water’s vibrant and dynamic culture, creating an inspiring and functional workspace.

Milliken partners with the Property Industry Foundation to combat youth homelessness, which affects 44,000 young Australians every night. Through the ‘Product Pathway’ initiative, a portion of Velvet collection sales supports building homes and funding programs focused on education, employment, and well-being of homeless youth. Together, they create safe spaces for vulnerable youth to rebuild their lives.

Collaboration Drives Success

The project commenced with a clear vision: transforming Unity Water’s new workplace into a catalyst for cultural transformation. TVS Architects led the design, collaborating closely with the client to reveal the essence of their brand. Through a thorough briefing process, the team pinpointed important opportunities to develop an office that promotes inclusivity, collaboration, and talent retention.

This collaborative approach encompassed the selection and integration of materials. Milliken’s team collaborated closely with designers, providing tailored solutions that enhanced the space's aesthetic and functional objectives. The outcome was a successful combination of client input, creative exploration and production expertise in bringing the vision to fruition.

Overcoming Challenges Together

Like any change in the workplace, Unity Water’s HQ presented its share of challenges. The design team had to reconcile the demands of a growing organisation with the need for a cohesive and inviting design. Milliken’s support during the design and construction phases was instrumental in overcoming these hurdles. Their responsiveness and expertise ensured the project stayed on track without compromising quality or vision.

A Dynamic Workplace for the Future

Unity Water’s new headquarters is a bold declaration of what it stands for. The space is open, inclusive, and dynamic, embodying the principles of fun and support that are at the core of the organisation. Employees now work in a setting that reflects their values, with design features promoting productivity and well-being.