See-through walkways stretch out like arms from Callam Offices circular towers, like something borrowed from a Doctor Who episode.
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The original design on Woden Town Centre's eastern edge has never been completed.
Internationally acclaimed architect John Andrews designed more than the three octagonal pods and their long walkways which stand like an aging space ship. His original design had 26 pods.
ACT Property Group senior manager Tania Shaw said if the original design was completed it would help functionality.
"It's very easy to get lost," Ms Shaw, who worked at Callam a decade ago, said.
"Because you've got that pod design, you sort of have to figure out which lift you have to take and which direction you are going.
"It is easy to become disoriented in the middle of the building."
On three levels and accessed by two lifts and walkways, the solar-passive building was designed in 1973. Construction took from 1977 to 1981 to complete.
Instead of being built from the ground up, it's suspended from above.
Suspended particleboard flooring works like a false ceiling, leaving a gap of 700mm for ducting and other services. Ms Shaw said the floor creaked and had often been repaired.
Facades are floor-to - ceiling glazing.
Curved acrylic glazing covers the continuous concrete walkways. Some doors have windows you would expect to see on a ferry.
Toilets, tea rooms, and cleaners stores are in the circular service towers. Lifts and yellow stairs also rise through towers.
Ms Shaw said staff enjoyed easy access to the town centre to bank and shop and buy lunch.
Because of all the glass, air conditioning works harder in summer and sometimes breaks down.
Heritage -listed in 2007, the building can't be altered too dramatically, even though it gets hot in summer.
"It's made our staff put their thinking caps on to try and come up with creative ways without undoing heritage fabric of the building," Ms Shaw said.
Internal shading, blinds and roller blinds help cool the place.
Outside ledges support perennial nesting pigeons.
"It is quite cute when you work in the building, but a pain from a building management point of view," Ms Shaw said.
"They've got ledges that are part of the architectural structure and that's a very nice spot for the birds to nest."
The building was first used for a TAFE college before it was refurbished for ACT government departments.
The ACT Government's Shared Services department which occupies Callam Offices will move to new government offices at Gungahlin in the future, after which the building and surrounding land will be put on the market.
