Nestled in the heart of North Sydney, a new banking philosophy and approach is here. Passionate about changing the banking landscape forever, UBank is a call centre and on-line based financial services company that operates 24/7, 365 days a year.

Part of the National Australia Bank (NAB), U-Bank fosters what’s known as the next generation of NAB work environments – the establishment of a holistic workplace model, that aims to support the diversity of their people.

UBank is adamant that the ideas and philosophy behind UBank are completely unique, and have concentrated on choosing to work for them for their expertise and energy, people who were genuinely passionate about changing the banking landscape forever. So unique are the UBank staff, that prior to joining the team, all must pass an audition process – yes, that’s right whether you sing, dance, read poetry or simply cite quotations, is up to you.

The recent completion of the new UBank workplace is set to continue to evoke and encourage the personality of the UBank staff.

“Inherent to the design concept was the use of four ‘personalities’ that were used as anchor points across the floor plan, which are aligned to accommodate the diversity of personalities within workplaces and enable a variety of tasks to be undertaken throughout the day – from standard desk, to cardboard veneered team booths, to billiard table break out areas,” said Amanda Stanaway, Senior Associate, Woods Bagot.

Anchor points include:

1. Nurturing and caring (training rooms) 
2. Problem solving, creative (library)
3. Contemplative and considered (assigned work points)
4. High energy, dynamic (break-out areas and Audition room)

Driving the selection of materials was the underlying vision of creating an environment that was not like your conventional bank environment – it was ‘out there’ and supported expression and exchange of ideas.

Unique to the design and fit-out, was furniture objects bought from ebay and ikea, and more notably, that a large selection of furniture, fabric and finishes that were made entirely from recycled materials such as cork, Tasmania oak, Oriented strand board, FSC certified rift oak veneer, Eco – Core white birch multiply FSC certified, and Echo panel.

Sharing of ideas, collaboration and creativity seems ever-present, with further design features including:

• Rubber band velcro and corkboard walls enabling staff to express ideas through attaching messages for others to look at and share with.
• Selected tables with whiteboard laminated top and walls in blackboard encourage staff to write down ideas.