A series on designing for the tech industry – Part Four
In the tech industry, cognitive load is high. Without supportive spaces, fatigue becomes inevitable. Our design for Xero’s offices responds to these demands and supports daily mental and physical recalibration. Wellness is a core principle, not confined to a single room. We applied this approach holistically across multiple locations, guided by briefs, design standards, local requirements, and team feedback to support every team member on a global scale.
Featured Xero Workplaces:
- Melbourne
- Canberra
- Singapore
The Breakout
Above: Melbourne & Canberra breakout.
Breakout areas reflect this commitment to wellness by fostering informal connection and providing a deliberate contrast to focused work zones. Inspired by café culture, they feature large tables, banquette seating, and premium coffee machines to encourage people to pause, gather, and reconnect. These spaces are a consistent feature across Xero offices, supporting the everyday rhythm of work and rest. With views to the outside, softer lighting, and relaxed furniture, they help teams reset both mentally and physically.
Play Space
Above: dedicated video game space (Melbourne) & pool table (Singapore).
Unlike many workplaces where fun is limited to the breakout area, our team introduced dedicated spaces for play throughout the office. Gaming consoles, pool tables, and karaoke machines are more than quirky additions; they are deliberate tools for connection. In a global tech business where screen-based work dominates, these features create shared experiences that strengthen team bonds and offer meaningful emotional release. They provide moments for laughter, movement, and collaboration—without a meeting agenda. The result is an environment that is not only productive, but also emotionally sustainable.
Unplugged Zones & Wellness Rooms
Above: unplug zones.
Our designers balanced active social spaces with, quiet retreats to support different ways of recharging. In addition to the typical wellness rooms offering private spaces for personal care, prayer, and meditation, our team integrated ‘unplugged zones’ to complement them. Wellness rooms are fully enclosed and quiet, while unplugged zones are semi-open and encourage short mental breaks without complete isolation. These spaces offer a spot for a quick reset, a quiet cup of tea before a presentation, or light conversation. Bringing wellness to those spare in-between moments.
Acoustic Comfort
Left to right: acoustic wall panel (Melbourne) and acoustic lighting (Canberra).
While features like unplugged zones or dedicated play areas often attract the most attention, two quieter elements underpin the workplace experience: acoustics and lighting. Acoustic comfort is frequently overlooked or reduced to a minimum, but our designers made it a clear priority. Treatments across Xero’s offices reduce reverberation and improve acoustic comfort, supporting focus and cognitive performance. From hidden insulation layers and acoustic lighting pendants to pinboards and detailed ceiling features, every element contributes to a workplace designed to support wellbeing.
Lighting Design
Left to right: natural light in the breakout (Melbourne) and feature lighting (Singapore).
Lighting design works in tandem with acoustic strategies to create spaces that support focus and restoration. Darker ceilings and softer lighting form calm pockets that ease eye strain and help teams reset. Natural and artificial lighting are balanced to support circadian rhythms and sustain energy throughout the day. Natural light is prioritised and maximised wherever possible, while artificial lighting is calibrated to closely reflect it in both colour and behaviour. Together, these elements are applied holistically and at scale to ensure Xero’s wellness standards remain consistent across all locations.
Above: Melbourne Xero Logo
Our approach to wellness is comprehensive, with wellbeing embedded into every aspect of the workplace and consistently delivered across all three locations. From acoustics and lighting to breakout spaces, unplugged zones, and places for play, each element is intentionally designed to support team health, satisfaction, and resilience at scale. In the fast-paced tech sector, where sustained focus and uptime are essential, wellness is more than an amenity—it is a deliberate design strategy that drives long-term performance.