In the midst of relocating from St Kilda Road to a new office in Fitzroy, Goethe-Institut Melbourne needed a way to maintain continuity while their new space was still under construction. A temporary workspace became essential to support both their team and ongoing programs, not just for day-to-day operations, but for the delivery of structured educational and cultural activities.
In October 2024, they reached out to United Co. looking for a short-term workspace for a team of 6–8 people. With timelines dependent on construction progress, the space needed to be ready immediately, adaptable, and capable of supporting both internal coordination and external engagement without disruption.
Supporting a Global Cultural Organisation
“The Goethe-Institut connects people all over the world. As a cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany, we promote cultural exchange, education and societal discourse, and support the teaching and learning of the German language,” said Dominik Lack, Digital Communications Coordinator Goethe-Institut Australia.
As part of a global network, Goethe-Institut plays an important role in fostering cultural dialogue and language education across borders. In Australia, their work extends across German language courses, formal examinations, and a range of cultural programs that connect communities, institutions, and individuals.
“We offer interactive and engaging German courses and organise German cultural events such as concerts, film screenings or exhibitions in Australia.”
This combination of education and cultural programming means their operations are multi-layered. Alongside internal team coordination, they regularly engage with students, partners, and international colleagues. As a result, their workspace needed to support a balance of structured learning environments, professional meeting settings, and flexible collaboration areas, all within a reliable and well-equipped environment.
Adapting Quickly to Changing Needs
What initially began as a requirement for a small team quickly evolved as their plans developed. With more staff expected to be based in Melbourne during the transition period, the team began to reassess what kind of setup would best support their growing presence.
Rather than simply securing desks, they looked for a space that could accommodate a more dynamic way of working, one that allowed for collaboration, focused tasks, and seamless communication with global teams.
The office suites at United Co. provided a more comfortable and practical solution, offering a level of privacy and flexibility that suited their needs. In particular, having access to a dedicated meeting room within their own space became an important factor, enabling them to manage after-hours video calls across different time zones without disruption.
This adaptability allowed the team to respond to changing requirements without needing to compromise on functionality or comfort.
A Workspace Ready from Day One
In January 2025, Goethe-Institut moved into a fully equipped office suite at United Co., allowing them to transition into the space with minimal setup and no operational delays.
The configuration included a team office with eight workstations, an executive office, and a dedicated meeting room. This setup provided a clear structure for how the team worked, supporting both collaborative discussions and focused individual work.
Beyond functionality, the space also contributed to the team’s overall experience. The private terrace offered a welcome connection to the outdoors, allowing fresh air and natural light to become part of the workday. These small details helped create a more balanced environment, supporting both productivity and wellbeing.
Access to shared spaces, including the rooftop, further enhanced this experience.
“There is nothing better than re-charging the batteries with a team lunch on the sunny rooftop during a long workday.”
Supporting Learning and Cultural Events
Maintaining their core programs during the transition was essential. Goethe-Institut continued delivering language courses and examinations, ensuring that students and partners experienced no interruption in service.
“Bringing people together through our language courses and cultural events.”
The availability of training rooms within United Co. played a key role in this continuity. These spaces provided a professional and structured environment suitable for both teaching and formal assessments, allowing Goethe-Institut to uphold the standards expected of their programs.
By having access to reliable facilities, the organisation was able to maintain consistency in delivery while operating from a temporary base, an important factor for both internal operations and external stakeholders.
Flexibility That Extends With You
While the original plan was to stay for six months, construction timelines required additional flexibility. Goethe-Institut extended their stay twice, ultimately remaining at United Co. for nearly a year. This ability to extend without disruption meant they could continue operating from a familiar and fully functional environment, rather than managing multiple relocations.
The flexibility of the arrangement allowed their workspace to align with real-world timelines, rather than fixed expectations, supporting stability during an otherwise transitional period.
Beyond a Temporary Stay
What began as a short-term solution gradually developed into an ongoing relationship. Even after moving into their new Fitzroy office, Goethe-Institut continues to return to United Co. when additional space is needed. Whether through coworking areas or meeting rooms, the space continues to support their operations as an extension of their primary office.
“United Co. provides us with an all-inclusive service. This gives us the chance to completely focus on our core work achieving our goals.”
This experience highlights how a workspace can go beyond simply providing desks. By reducing operational complexity and offering a ready-to-use environment, United Co. enabled the team to focus on what matters most, delivering their programs and maintaining their global connections.
“When we reached out and started looking at temporary workspaces, we had no idea something like this existed. We loved being part of a larger community. It has been a very efficient and cost-effective solution for our team, and we wish we could have stayed at United Co. for longer. We like to continue using the training rooms for some of our language courses,” said Tim Onkes, Head of Finance and Administration, Goethe-Institut Australia.
At United Co., flexibility is not only about long-term growth, it also supports the moments in between, where continuity, adaptability, and ease of use matter most.
