A great office transformation doesn’t start with a paint swatch. It starts with a question: What kind of workplace do we want to become?
And before the new walls go up, the old ones must come down.
In Melbourne, more businesses are choosing to refurbish existing office spaces, not just to refresh the aesthetic, but to create something purpose-built for hybrid work, ESG goals, and a revitalised company culture.
At Agero, we lead clients through this full journey, from sustainable stripout to showcase handover.
For Samantha, a Head of Brand Experience at a mid-sized lifestyle brand, the process was more than practical. It was personal.
“We didn’t need more space. We needed a space that worked for who we’d become.”
By Samantha, Head of Brand Experience, Melbourne lifestyle brand
We had been in the same office for six years. The bones were good, plenty of light, great location, but the space didn’t fit us anymore.
Teams were working hybrid. Collaboration had shifted. And the culture? It was growing beyond the four beige walls we inherited.
A move was tempting, but expensive. Instead, we called Agero.
They helped us see that what we needed wasn’t a relocation, it was a transformation. One that started with a stripout, but became something far more meaningful.
Step-by-Step: The Office Refurbishment Journey
Agero’s approach turned what could have been a messy, piecemeal project into a seamless end-to-end experience. Here’s how it all unfolded.
🧹 Step 1: Strategic Stripout — Clearing the Way, Without the Waste
Before anything was built, Agero focused on what could be saved.
Their Sustainable Stripout initiative recycled or repurposed over 70% of materials, including:
- Glass panels, lighting fixtures, and timber
- Workstations and breakout furniture
- Metal framing and recyclable ceiling tiles
“It wasn’t just demolition. It was conscious deconstruction — and it set the tone for everything that followed.”
🧠 Step 2: Workplace Strategy — Design With Purpose
Instead of jumping to moodboards, we sat down for a strategy session.
Agero guided us through:
- Our team’s hybrid rhythms (what needed quiet vs. buzz)
- Cultural goals and how to express them in space
- Client journey mapping for better first impressions
This phase grounded every design choice in something more than taste — it was tied to performance.
🧱 Step 3: Concept & Design — Bringing Vision to Life
The design team didn’t just give us a look — they gave us a language.
- Flexible zoning for solo work, collaboration, and rest
- Natural light maximised with glass partitions and biophilic touches
- Branded wayfinding, furniture, and finishes that told our story
- Fully integrated tech in every meeting space — no afterthoughts
“Every corner had a purpose. Every detail felt like us.”
🛠️ Step 4: Fitout & Construction — Zero Surprises, Full Control
Agero served as principal contractor, managing:
- OH&S, code compliance, and permit requirements
- All trades, timelines, and procurement
- Fitout sequencing, even while parts of the office remained operational
They operated with fixed pricing, no hidden extras, no delays, no drama.
✨ Step 5: Handover & Showcase — A Space That Performs and Inspires
The final reveal wasn’t just an aesthetic success, it was a strategic one.
Our new space:
- Improved team attendance on in-office days
- Created natural points of connection and culture
- Made client meetings feel like a brand experience
- Signalled our growth and maturity, without ever needing to move
Before You Start Your Refurbishment, Know This:
If you’re planning an office refurbishment in Melbourne, start with clarity, not just creativity. Here’s what we learned:
✅ Start with a sustainable stripout — reduce landfill, protect your ESG profile
✅ Use workplace strategy to shape the entire design process
✅ Prioritise hybrid zones, culture hubs, and digital fluency
✅ Choose a partner that does design + construct — not just one or the other
✅ Insist on fixed-price contracts — transparency is power
FAQs: Stripouts and Office Refurbishments in Melbourne
Q1. What is an office stripout?
An office stripout removes all non-structural elements, partitions, fittings, furniture, to prepare for refurbishment or return to base build.
Q2. Can you recycle stripout materials?
Yes. Agero’s Sustainable Stripout initiative ensures materials are diverted from landfill and repurposed where possible.
Q3. What’s the difference between a refurbishment and a full fitout?
A refurbishment updates an existing space. A fitout typically transforms a base build or shell into a fully functional workplace.
Q4. How long does a refurbishment take?
Most projects take 8–16 weeks depending on size, scope, and live occupancy.
Refurbishment Isn’t Just a Reset. It’s a Relaunch.
At Agero, we believe that office refurbishment is about more than knocking down walls. It’s about building something that works, for your people, your purpose, and your future.
Whether you’re planning a sustainable stripout, a cultural rebrand, or a full spatial reinvention, we’ll guide you from empty shell to high-performance showcase.
Let’s rebuild better.
Book your consultation today →
