Depo8

Inside of what used to be an old textile factory is this buzzing collaborative work space that goes by its original name Depo8. If you were walking past you would never notice it. No sir. But that’s what adds to the beauty — something so unique on the inside, camouflaged by its derelict predecessor. There was just a pure grunginess to it…Maybe it was the Prahran flats playing neighbour, or the hollow abandoned house directly next door? Whatever it was it certainly didn’t attribute to the in-house tranquility.

You know that feeling you get when you find an old ten dollar note in the back on your jeans? Well that’s the feeling both Booze and I got when we walked through the doors — pure nostalgia — and after checking our pockets for what we hoped would be a free lunch, we realised that it was in actual fact the work area we were playing witness to that gave us that buzz. Everything just felt right in the world, and we hadn’t even met Erz yet.

Erz (Clark Kent’s doppelganger some say, and arguably the friendliest person you will ever have the privilege of meeting) greeted us upon our arrival and from that moment it was almost as if we were old mates just having a good old chin wag. Well, that’s how he made us feel anyway…

The tour officially began downstairs, an area of Depo8 which we didn’t even know existed. However that’s irrelevant. What isn’t irrelevant though, are the lads who occupied the space. They were seriously kicking goals — on and off the field. While we were given free reign by Erz to wander around, we couldn’t help over hear some of the figures that were dropped in their general chit chat. ‘What’s the % of that $’. The actual numbers have been kept secret for obvious reasons... Anyway, they were killing it, and so was the work space itself. A basic area that had a lot going for it. They weren’t your typical office cubicles, as these ones were more open, more inviting and reasonably spacious. There was a miniature boardroom that was just adorable, accompanied with a very ‘shlick’ plasma T.V. The kitchen was equipped with some funky over hanging lights and an espresso machine, (which now appears to be the norm in collaborative work areas, as the occupants hours fluctuate constantly) as a caffeine hit is generally required in the wee hours of the morning. There was also an artistic moose head that was positioned strategically on the wall to watch over the lads who were basically ‘getting shit done’.

All in all it was a delightful little hub, that although was a quarter the size of upstairs, still had that same ‘ten dollar in the pocket’ feeling that just made you feel happy in every possible way. So with a smile on his dial Booze snapped up some photos (much to Ollie’s delight, as he took it upon himself to channel his inner Zoolander) and we made our way back upstairs to continue our tour.

If Depo8 was a football game, downstairs would have been the curtain raiser to what was considered the main event upstairs. Although both part of the same family, there was no denying that the upstairs area was in a league of its own. So much space, but not enough to make you feel lost. The drop-in desk perfectly positioned in the centre, made for it to be almost impossible to not be engaged in a conversation with someone. A deliberate ploy perhaps to get the creative juices flowing back and forth between permanent residents and those just wanting a change of scene from their bedroom.

The walls were painted a neutral white, while in contrast the ‘meeting rooms’ were a solid black, perhaps implying a more serious tone when one is involved in a meeting. Then again maybe it just looked cool!? There were permanent open office spaces that played host to a plethora of creative businesses. Many of whom were not tech startups but in actual fact fully functioning companies that just enjoyed the inclusive nature Depo8 offered.

There was a break out space for residents to kick their feet up and enjoy some good old fashion couch time and a kitchen for obvious reasons — espresso machine and all. The boardroom was unique in its own right as it simulated an old holiday house you’d find in the 70's, displaying funky magazines and woven curved-off chairs. The standout feature was none other than a whiteboard made out of a glass door you’d expect to see employees of O’brien walking around with…Regardless, it just seemed to fit in with the whole feng shui.

Depo8 just seemed to work. Everything looked as if it had been effortlessly assembled to create a space that made coming in to work a ‘want’ rather than an obligation.

Cheers to Erz for allowing us to pop in!

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