A new workplace model is taking shape across Australia, bringing a more sustainable view to how office environments are conceived, delivered and experienced over time.

Developed by Dexus in collaboration with Woods Bagot, the Forever Fitout reflects a shift in thinking around workplace design. Rather than responding to a single moment of occupation, the model considers how space can remain relevant, adaptable and engaging across multiple lease terms and an evolution in business strategy. 

The idea emerged through early conversations between Woods Bagot and Dexus, grounded in a shared awareness of the scale of change within commercial workplaces and the fundamental need to approach fitouts differently.

“There was a need for a workplace typology that could last longer and respond more intelligently to change,” said Woods Bagot Principal and Global Workplace Sector Leader Kirsti Simpson. “The ambition was to create something that could evolve over time while maintaining a strong sense of quality and coherence.”

From the outset, the Forever Fitout has been shaped by a clear set of design drivers that sit at the core of every decision. These drivers establish a framework that balances flexibility with permanence, ensuring that while the workplace can shift and adapt, its design integrity remains.

At the centre of the design is a modular planning system, organised through a carefully considered grid. This grid establishes a consistent logic for how space is arranged, supporting a kit of parts that brings together work settings, meeting rooms and collaborative zones. These elements can be interchanged as needs change, allowing the workplace to evolve in a measured and intuitive way.

The foundation is a strong connection to nature. Celebrating light and views, biophilia and natural materials in their original form are used not as an overlay, but as a fundamental layer of the design. This approach supports wellbeing while also grounding the workplace in a material language that feels enduring and considered.

“There is a clarity that comes from looking to nature,” Simpson said. “In nature, nothing is wasted. This informs how we think about material use, about efficiency, and about creating environments that feel balanced and authentic.”

Equally central is the idea of aesthetic longevity. Rather than responding to short-term trends, the Forever Fitout is designed with a sense of timelessness, where materials, finishes and spatial qualities are carefully curated to remain relevant over time.

“Flexibility does not mean compromise,” Simpson said. “There is a perception that if something is designed to change, it cannot also be refined or resolved. For us, those two considerations are inseparable. The workplace needs to be both adaptable and beautiful.”

Durability plays a key role in supporting this ambition. Materials and components are selected for their robustness and their ability to be reused, repurposed and intersect forming a foundation that can accommodate evolution without diminishing the overall quality of the space. This approach also brings a long-term view to cost, where investment in quality supports ongoing performance and adaptability.

“The decisions we make at the beginning are critical,” Simpson said. “If the materials are robust, if the detailing is resolved, then the space can continue to evolve without losing its integrity.”

These principles come together within an integrated system that extends beyond planning and into the way the workplace is constructed and maintained. Demountable elements, modular components and a coordinated services strategy allow spaces to be reconfigured with ease, supported by a clear playbook that guides how change can occur over time.

“We think of it as a framework rather than a fixed outcome,” Simpson said. “It gives people the ability to shape their environment while still working within a coherent and carefully designed system.”

The Forever Fitout has been explored across a number of projects nationally, including workplaces at 1 Bligh Street in Sydney, 80 Collins Street in Melbourne, and 1 Eagle Street and Waterfront in Brisbane. Each project reflects its specific context while working within the same underlying approach, demonstrating how the model can be applied across different buildings and tenant profiles.

“There is a consistency to the thinking, but each project still responds to place and to the people who will use it,” Simpson said. “That balance between a clear framework and local expression is really important.”

“We are looking at this through a genuinely global lens,” Simpson said. “It comes from a depth of experience in workplace design across the planet, and a responsibility to ensure that what we create is considered, enduring and meaningful for our clients.”

Dexus and Woods Bagot’s first Forever Fitout at 1 Bligh Street has been independently assessed by the Green Building Council of Australia, achieving a 5 Star Green Star GBCA Fitouts certification – the first to achieve this rating under the new tool.

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Adrien Moffatt
Content and Communications Manager (Australia)