A series on designing for the tech industry – Part Four
In the tech industry, cognitive load is high, and without supportive spaces, fatigue is inevitable. Our design for Xero’s offices counters these demands and encourages daily mental and physical recalibration. Wellness is a core principle not confined to a single room. We applied this principle holistically and across various locations, guided by briefs, design standards, local needs, and feedback to support every team member at a global scale.
Featured Xero Workplaces:
- Melbourne
- Canberra
- Singapore
Above: Melbourne & Canberra breakout.
Breakout areas extend this commitment to wellness, fostering informal connection and offering a deliberate contrast to focused work zones. Drawing from café culture, they incorporate large tables, banquette seating, and quality coffee machines to create spaces that encourage people to pause, gather, and reconnect. These areas are a consistent feature across Xero offices, supporting everyday rhythms of work and rest. With views to the outside, softer lighting, and relaxed furniture, they help teams reset mentally and physically.
Above: dedicated video game space (Melbourne) & pool table (Singapore).
Spaces for play feature in all Xero breakout areas, but our team took this a step further by introducing moments of fun throughout all three offices. Gaming consoles, pool tables and karaoke machines aren’t just quirky additions; they’re embedded tools for connection. In a global tech business where screen-based work dominates, these features offer shared experiences that strengthen team bonds and provide much-needed emotional release. They create opportunities for laughter, movement, and collaboration, without a meeting agenda. This creates an environment that’s not just productive, but emotionally sustainable.
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 and provide more flexible, restorative options. 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.
Left to right: acoustic wall panel (Melbourne) and acoustic lighting (Canberra).
While spatial typologies like unplugged zones or dedicated play areas might draw the most attention, two essential design elements quietly underpin them: acoustics and lighting. Acoustic comfort is often overlooked or reduced to a minimum, but we made it a priority. Treatments throughout Xero’s offices reduce reverberation and improve comfort, enhancing focus and cognitive function. From hidden insulation layers and acoustic lighting pendants to pinboards and detailed ceiling features, every element supports individual wellbeing.
Left to right: natural light in the breakout (Melbourne) and feature lighting (Singapore).
Thoughtful lighting design works in harmony with these acoustic measures. Darker ceilings and softer lighting create calm pockets that reduce eye strain and help teams reset. Balanced natural and artificial lighting strategies support circadian rhythms and maintain energy throughout the day. Natural light is prioritised and maximised wherever possible, while artificial lighting is designed to closely match natural light in both colour and behaviour. The application of these two elements, applied holistically and at scale, ensures that Xero’s approach to wellness remains consistent, even on the international stage.
Above: Melbourne Xero Logo
Our approach to wellness is comprehensive, with wellbeing seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the workplace and consistently applied across all locations. From acoustics and lighting to breakout spaces, unplugged zones, and places for play, each element works together to support health, satisfaction, and resilience at scale. In the fast-paced tech industry, where uptime is critical, wellness becomes a design strategy in its own right, sustaining long-term performance and focus.