Savenio Commercial Offices
At the end of 2017, Savenio began the process of seeking a new corporate Head Office to house the ground-breaking first Savenio Travel Hub. The location and design needed to reflect their high expectations and reinforce their prestigious luxury travel brand. Pam Ellis International was onboarded to design a new Corporate Headquarters for Savenio in the prestigious Watermark Building in Brisbane.
The Objective
The prestigious Waterfront Place building in the heart of Brisbane’s city centre is home to corporate businesses, restaurants, and surrounded by 5-star brands including Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Aria restaurant. Savenio had found a new home - albeit a plain white office. Pam Ellis International was actioned to realise Savenio’s vision of 21st Century luxury travel hub. Within three months the office was transformed.
The foremost goal for Savenio was the innovation of Savenio Travel Hub – an area for Independent Savenio Affiliates to conduct business, meet clients, network and liaise with key Suppliers and to enjoy.
It was key to Savenio that this groundbreaking travel space for Independent Affiliates had to reflect the core values of Savenio.
The name Savenio evolved as a new word construct binging together Latin words like Sapio, Sapere and Sapivi, which describe knowledge and wisdom, with the Latin words of Advenio and Invenio, which describe discovery and arrival.
SAPIL, SAPERE, SAPIVI + ADVENIO, INVENIO = SAVENIO
As a high-end brand, the renovation goal of the Savenio office was to offer a sensory experience with key stand-out furniture pieces, champagne bar, and various seating areas where affiliates, clients, colleagues, and suppliers could network, entertain, and carry out business in luxurious surrounds. The goal was to have people ‘want’ to come to the Savenio Hub and to work without the usual confines of an office. Affiliates and Suppliers were to be inspired and energised by the office design and feel valued as important team members and part of the company success.
The first step of this project was to look at international trends in modern office design and more importantly actual statistics on creating a ‘happy office environment’.
Modern contemporary styling married well with the high-end luxury branding of Savenio. The clean lines of modern contemporary displays a no-nonsense approach and was ideal for our corporate head office and innovative Savenio Travel Hub. We wanted to incorporate fun design elements where they were least expected. It was important to showcase some unexpected ‘whimsy’ in the space, or ‘talking points’ that visitors will remember.
“It is fun coming to work within such a cutting edge, dynamic space”
The Process
Savenio had created numerous ‘break-out’ areas where consultants and staff are not fixed to one single desk position. Taking advantage of the panoramic views, comfortable leather sofas and designer chairs shroud in soft velvet cushions were arranged for conversation. Luxurious individual ‘pods’ using soft wool fabric were created for privacy away from other areas. ‘Hot desks’ were set-up with telecommunication connectivity; along with numerous smaller circular tables with 3-4 chairs positioned near the workstations.
In the travel industry it’s normal for an entire workforce to be speaking on telephone calls simultaneously, so we knew having various seating options in all areas of the office would provide choice to move or change seating location depending on the task at hand, whilst also offering attractive ‘hot desk’ work stations.
“The Savenio Hub truly is a unique offering in the travel industry and provides a space that’s conducive to running my luxury travel business as an independence affiliate. The area allows the option of a workspace and support of a high street luxury agency with million dollar views to match.”
A main talking point from guests is the feature moss wall in the entry foyer. The moss was sourced from an Italian supplier, and custom dyed in our company colour - deep purple. Our Savenio moss wall is such a focal point that interestingly staff from other offices in the building are also drawn to our space.
Native plants are an imperative element, enhancing ‘clean air’ and vitality. For this purpose, plants were strategically placed around the office and boardroom, where they offer transition between different work areas, architectural feature on desks, visually soften the overall space creating interest through varying height and texture, and elements of privacy.
Colour was also an important element of our design principle. We wanted vibrant and happy colours which are often associated with holiday and happy memories. Using Savenio’s corporate colour purple as the main inspiration, Pam Ellis International introduced complementary colours such as vibrant pink and mauves. We even used beautiful tropical Hawaiian-style velvet cushions - again all reinforcing the travel brand in a luxurious and subtle manner. Window seats using these soft velvet cushions have been set-up where team members can sit and enjoy the panoramic view.
Previously, Savenio commissioned works of art that depict famous travel landmarks around the world - these are in the form of 12 Kaleidoscopes. To update these images we had them custom printed on modern perspex materials, which accentuates the vibrant colours and landmarks they feature. These modern artworks have been placed around the office and boardroom; creating more colour and energy into the Savenio Travel Hub and create a talking point.
“I was so impressed with your new premises. Stunning decor and views with wonderful friendly ambience. I liked the little touches and will enjoy returning for future updates.”
“THE best office space I have worked or visited in my 40 years in the Travel Industry”
Custom timber bookcases were positioned to offer a ‘soft’ divide within the office without using solid walls. International book titles were then used to cloak the shelves with inspirational, aspirational stories of travel, history, cooking, photographs and adventures from around the world. Married with our Virtuoso trophy and awards, the bookcases have become yet another memorable sensory experience in our office that visitors get inspired to create their own travel story.
Response
The response has been phenomenal in all regards. The new Savenio Travel Hub concept introduced a wonderful friendly working space for Savenio Affiliates who are looking to work in a space where they are surrounded with like-minded individuals all running their own travel businesses.
Invited Suppliers are so positive, the space creates energy and enthusiasm. After visiting once, everyone wants to return.
“‘What an office – my hotels were star struck by the view plus it felt more like a first class airline lounge. I don’t think there is a mobile agent hub like this one anywhere in Australia! Next time I’ll make sure I get to Savenio early so that I catch up on emails whilst gazing out to the river’”
“‘I love using the Savenio Hub – the office is inspiring, I can work and communicate with my colleagues and the Savenio staff. The space and luxurious surrounds underline the products and service I provide to my clients’”