Afford
Photography by Renascent
A hybrid-ready, inclusive workplace designed to empower all abilities—where Afford’s values of accessibility, connection and wellbeing are embedded in every detail of the experience.
Futurespace partnered with the Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) to create a new workplace that brings to life their commitment to providing inclusive, empowering environments for people of all abilities. As one of Australia’s longest-serving disability service providers, Afford needed a workspace that aligned with their core values—placing accessibility, equity, and human dignity at the centre of their operations.
From the outset, the brief was clear: design a people-first, inclusive environment that reflects Afford’s purpose while supporting contemporary, hybrid ways of working. The space needed to foster connection—across teams, functions, and communities—while encouraging collaboration, wellbeing, and social interaction.
A Strategic Foundation
Futurespace began the process with deep engagement—through leadership interviews, briefing questionnaires, and discovery sessions—designed to uncover the diverse needs of Afford’s people. A robust workplace strategy was developed to ensure the environment would accommodate varying cognitive, sensory, physical and emotional needs. This allowed the design to go beyond compliance—to truly enable and empower.
Key objectives included:
Creating a welcoming, inclusive space for staff and visitors alike
Supporting hybrid work and digital connectivity
Facilitating cross-functional collaboration and communication
Embedding wellbeing through design
Designing with Purpose
Guided by the design concept "There’s no place like work," the space references familiar domestic cues to offer comfort, calm and belonging. A warm and textural colour palette, intuitive wayfinding, soft lighting, acoustic management, and an abundance of natural materials create a sensory-friendly experience that supports neurodiverse and disabled users without compromise.
The interconnecting stair is a focal point—encouraging movement and chance encounters, while also symbolising Afford’s values of visibility, access, and connection. Agile zones for focus, collaboration and retreat are interwoven with carefully selected furnishings, supporting different working styles and abilities.
Inclusive, Empowering, Future-Focused
From sketch planning through to completion, Futurespace provided full design services—including concept design, development, tendering, and construction assistance—delivering a workplace that goes beyond function to meaningfully reflect Afford’s impact and identity.
Key design outcomes include:
An inclusive, hybrid-ready workplace that enables all staff to thrive
Spaces that reflect Afford’s brand and values, through both physical form and lived experience
An environment that encourages social connection and belonging
A high-performing workplace where accessibility and aesthetics are seamlessly integrated
By making inclusion the foundation of the workplace—not an add-on—Afford’s new office is a testament to the power of design to transform how people work, connect, and feel every day. It is a place where all people are respected, supported, and inspired—just as Afford’s mission intends.
