MKDC Directors Win Prestigious Construction Award

MKDC Workspace Designers Directors, Kathy Kusinski and Melanie Marshall are proud winners of the Crystal Vision Award at the recent National Association of Women in Construction event for their efforts to involve more women in the construction industry.

MKDC, established 21 years ago, employs 12 women and has contributed more than $50 million worth of contracts to the WA construction industry over the past two years. 

The Crystal Vision Awards are held annually to recognise and celebrate the top achievements of women in the construction industry.

"Often Interior Design is seen as colour solutions and nice fabrics. Nothing is further from the truth - we are about managing million dollar projects, meeting deadlines, working closely with consultants and builders to achieve great office interiors for our clients. This award is testament to what we really do working in the construction industry" said Melanie Marshall.

"When we started our business 21 years ago we were ambitious and wanted to be leaders in our field. Winning the NAWIC Crystal Vision Award is recognition of the hard work that has gone into developing MKDC into one of WA's great design studios" said Kath Kusinski.

"It is such a great honour to be recognised for advancing the careers of women in the construction industry." Kath Kusinski.

A panel of industry experts selected winners based on strict award criteria. To view the full list of winners of the 2013 NAWIC Awards of Excellence, please click HERE.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, T Block

With major development underway at QE2, the incumbent executive team required new office accommodation to make way for their existing premises to be redeveloped.

MKDC Workspace Designers were presented with the challenge to convert the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital ‘T Block’, a disused painting workshop on the QE2 site. This opportunity was embraced by the design team who transformed the old space into a state of the art, technology focused and flexible office environment.

New facilities were required, including the installation of male and female toilets and showers, and an outdoor alfresco area leading off the new staff hub.

The MKDC team were eager to meet the needs of the client, without impairing the existing building structure. By invigorating the high ceilings and leaving the services exposed, MKDC have created a fresh and stimulating working environment. The client is delighted with this new working environment designed and project managed by MKDC.

Blog post by Kath Kusinski, Director MKDC Workspace Designers

Murdoch University Kim E. Beazley Lecture Theatre

MKDC were appointed by Murdoch University to reinvigorate the Kim E. Beazley Lecture Theatre and foyer. Murdoch University required a new space that would more adequately reflect their identity as a modern educational institution and promote their status as a world class facility. 
Communication and program management were important aspects of the design process, as the space had to be ready for the start of the semester in order to welcome a new intake of students and staff. 

Important to the client, were the longevity of the space and the incorporation of Murdoch University branding in the design. MKDC embraced the universities signature ‘red’ making it a feature colour throughout.

The neutral finishes used in the foyer, including timber panelling, are offset by striking red carpet tiles. This red is carried through to the lecture theatre, where different shades have been used for the ‘pixelated effect’ seating upholstery - creating a sense of movement. 

The result is a timeless and sophisticated interior that enhances the experience of visitors to Murdoch University.

Blog by Kath Kusinski, Director MKDC Workspace Designers

JGC OCEANIA OFFICE PERTH | DESIGNED BY MKDC

Located on the prestigious 50th floor of Perth’s landmark Bankwest Tower, the new head office of JGC Oceania is a sophisticated and contemporary space designed and constructed by our award-winning team at MKDC Workspace Designers. 

Key imperatives for the new workspace included functionality and flexibility, leading to MKDC Workspace Designers specifying Schiavello’s Climate workplace platform. A unique offering in the market, Climate supports not just flexibility, but malleability, by empowering individuals, teams, and organisations to alter, reform, and reconfigure their work environment.

Leveraging the triangular design of the building and wealth of natural light that flows in to the deepest recesses, MKDC Workspace Designers designed the support facilities and offices at the core of the structure, maximising Swan River views for the workstation areas, boardrooms and executive offices. 

MKDC Workspace Designers designed a timeless and understated Japanese aesthetic which comes through in the sophisticated palette offset by red accents, natural stone and timber veneers.

Schiavello’s experience with tight program requirements and strong coordination with MKDC Workspace Designer's project management meant we were able to complete the project in two weeks, allowing our team to deliver a seamless, on-time and on-budget project. View full article HERE.

To view the entire image collection of the JGC Oceania Office, click HERE.

Contact MKDC Workspace Designers

803 Wellington St,
WEST PERTH, Western Australia 6005

Phone: +61 8 9321 7955
New Project Enquiries: kkusinski@mkdc.com.au

THE PALLADIO LOUNGE - MANDURAH

How do you create a Modern Australian Restaurant + Lounge at Dolphin Quay in Mandurah with finishes, furniture, cabinetwork & lighting all sourced in INDIA … Tenille has just returned from overseas and is letting the trip snapshots tell the story…

It's hard not to be inspired & engaged when surrounded by such an overwhelming cultural experience. The amalgamation of pristine harbour views, a strong design concept + aesthetic & a client's local knowledge will undoubtedly create a unique new hub for Mandurah's local hospitality scene.

For some remarkable inspiration from enchanting India, check out the International Inspirations

- Tenille Douglas, Associate Director, MKDC Workspace Designers

CREATING WORKSPACES

MKDC are thrilled to handover several milestone projects and new workspaces for our valued clients...

Department of Indigenous Affairs

A space inspired by Western Australia's rich indigenous culture, landscape and colours ... enjoy!

Clifford Chance

A masculine and timeless fitout for this international law firm with subtle correlations to the WA Perth environment landscape and client base.

CKJV

A joint venture project office for CB&I and Kentz which is a diverse collaborative environment in support of WA's Resources Industry!

BP Developments

A staged refurbishment to refresh the open plan work areas with a new and innovative solution for the meeting and support spaces. A state of the art Telepresence Room was included to align and connect BP Developments Perth with worldwide business partners.

CNOOC

Completed in December 2011, a new location provided the opportunity for significant growth in staff and support spaces for this fast expanding Energy Resources Company.

O'Sullivan Partners

Having outgrown their original 2003 MKDC designed fitout, O'Sullivan Partners invested in new premises - a move which allowed MKDC to provide this law firm's staff and clients with a more dynamic and engaging space.


... photos to follow - watch this space!

CODES, STANDARDS & THE 'BIG' QUESTION!

In light of recent amendments to the National  Construction Codes and Australian Standards MKDC attended the ‘BCA 2012 Information Seminar’ held by Australian Building Codes Board & Standards Australia. 

Though there were only minor changes relevant to fitout work the code amendments for Early Childhood centres were of interest. In order to standardise construction of such facilities nationally, new code information has been provided relating to kitchen requirements, nappy change facilities, pan numbers, toilet partitions, window sills and playground barriers.

The Seminar also brought to our attention ABCBs  ongoing research into “Trips, Slips & Falls”.

Did you know that In Australia, there are over 500 fatal falls recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics every year and over 110,000 hospital admissions for falls in buildings annually nationwide.  

Given the ABCB consider trips, slips & falls to be the main risk for building occupiers they flagged there continual research and future development of codes that will mitigate this risk.

To conclude the seminar wrapped up with lively debate over the cost of codes and standards for users, with the big question being “Should this information be free to access?”

 

Next seminar on the radar ‘Master Builders - Building Act Preparation Course’…

WORKTECH12 MELBOURNE

MKDC Directors, Melanie Marshall & Kath Kusinski recently attended the Worktech 12  Conference held in Melbourne. In attendance were a cross section of professionals comprising Property & Construction, Government, Education, Architecture, Interior Design  and Project Management.

The Conference brought together many schools of thought on current and future workplace environments. Speakers included leading industry professionals such as:

• Gerry Taylor, Creative Director, Orangebox
• Riccardo Rizzi, Head of Sustainability, ISIS
• Rosemary Hitchcock, Project Director, The GPT Group
• James Andrew, Regional Executive/General Manager for Global WorkPlace Solutions

Conference speaker, Philip Ross (Futurologist & CEO, Cordless Group & UNWORK) particularly sparked MKDC’s interest with his concept of the ‘thin’ workplace. This concept is based on a work environment where wireless technologies and file storage systems like the ‘Cloud’ is freeing up space in an office and allowing greater flexibility within the space. This office slimming approach is suggested to result with cost savings up to 30% while simultaneously providing a workplace better configured for emerging  work styles.

Check out more of Phillips ideas and his teams continual research on ‘The Future of Work’.

As further food for thought we also suggest you take a look at Global WorkPlace Solutions.

A VERY SPECIAL MONTH....

March 2012 sees MKDC celebrating a successful 20 years of business.

From humble beginnings as a team of two operating in a lounge room, MKDC has grown to a team of fourteen staff relishing in their own custom designed studio space.

Great work Mel & Kath -  Here’s to many more successful years ahead, Cheers!