Vodafone today officially opens its workplace of the future in Smales Farm – a fully enabled smart building at the heart of a world-leading innovative, sustainable and interactive precinct designed to foster business and community growth.

Vodafone’s Auckland InnoV8 headquarters blends connectivity and community in a campus-like environment to showcase the diverse and flexible nature of the business and its people.

For HR Director Antony Welton, the new building is about ensuring employees have what they need to be at their best.

“We believe physical environments play a big role in the general wellbeing of our people.

“We’re proud to have joined the Smales Farm community and feature our own digital workplace. We’re excited to demonstrate our technology and expertise in getting the business ready for a digital future,” Antony said.

This includes equipping the building with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, making everyone’s smartphone their passport to the building. This means smartphones can be used to gain access to the building, lockers and present in smart meeting rooms.

Vodafone’s Regional Head of Property Murray Dobson explains why the building is designed the way it is.

“For us, it’s all about the diversity of our workforce. We look to reflect diversity in ages, culture and types of work so that there’s space for everyone – that was part of the brief to the architect which is why we have breakout spaces, entertainment spaces, a prayer room, wellness areas and plenty of meeting spaces.

“We’ve invested in the mobility of our people. The state-of-the-art technology we’ve prioritised in this renovation is here to facilitate flexible working, it’s not tech for tech’s sake,” Murray said.

Upon entering, staff and guests are greeted with a giant screen in the building’s atrium in a Times Square type display, which is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It features a curved design and is made up of 60 OLED flexible screens.

The Arena, a state-of-the-art events hall inside InnoV8 Auckland, has the ability to turn into several small meeting rooms to make efficient use of the space, or into one huge venue where all Vodafone staff and guests can come together for events – such as Vodafone’s 5G showcase back in March.

In the push to embrace cutting edge technology though, the building’s architects haven’t sacrificed comfort, and a feeling of community, through a series of well thought out touches.

When it’s time for a break and relaxation, there is a half court right outside the building where colleagues and friends can play a friendly game of basketball or volleyball, a rock-climbing wall at the staff café and table tennis in the break room.

Vodafone InnoV8 Auckland has 6 levels with over 70 meeting rooms and can accommodate up to 2000 people in any one day. A number of employees spend some or all of their work day at InnoV8, with the rest connecting in seamlessly with our flexible working technology.