One place to Work, Learn and Lead: Medtronic’s Integrated Workplace

SERVICES

Location

Sydney, Australia

Earlier this year, Athena Blue partnered with Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, to deliver a workplace in Sydney that would support both corporate operations and advanced clinical training. With a lease expiry approaching, the project was an opportunity to reimagine how more than 450 staff connect, collaborate, and learn — all within a condensed program.

Overarching Goal

Medtronic’s goal was to create a workplace that:

Supported their new modern way of working.
Fostered a stronger sense of community and collaboration.
Reflected their brand and supported talent attraction.
Delivered a state-of-the-art training environment for clients and staff.
Transitioned to agile working with Bookable seating and flexible zones.

Project Highlights and Solutions

The new workplace spans 3,700 sqm across two floors and was delivered in just nine months. Achieving this required careful management of technical, regulatory, and cultural challenges:

Regulatory compliance: One floor was reclassified from commercial to educational use, with approvals from NSW Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Specialist equipment: Heavy imaging equipment such as the O-arm X-ray machine was craned into the building when standard lifts could not accommodate its size.
Structural engineering: Load assessments were carried out to ensure the lightweight slab construction could support robotic surgical systems.
Stakeholder coordination: Engagement across Europe, Asia, the U.S., and India required flexible scheduling to align decision-making.
Consultant collaboration: More than 15 consultants provided expertise across radiology, acoustics, lighting, fire engineering, and town planning.
Change management: Staff transitioned from assigned seating to a neighbourhood model supported by a structured framework.
Training facilities: Dedicated suites with lead-lined walls and advanced AV systems now support live surgical demonstrations, streamed to participants globally.

Results with a Collaborative Partnership

The outcome is unique workplace that integrates Medtronic’s people and purpose in a Grade-A commercial building with a 6-Star Green Star rating. The facility integrates modern work settings with purpose-built training environments that showcase Medtronic’s technology and innovation.

Key results include:

Greater staff engagement and sense of community.
Increased collaboration through flexible seating and hybrid workspaces.
Enhanced training and onboarding through live-streaming capabilities.
Stronger brand visibility, supporting client engagement and talent attraction.

This result was achieved through close collaboration. Annabel Khoo led the change management strategy, ensuring staff were supported throughout the transition. Rowan Hamman and Stephanie Bailey oversaw project delivery, managing site selection, consultant coordination, and compliance. Together, the team delivered a workplace that is fit for purpose, future-ready, and reflective of Medtronic’s mission.