We have achieved our ISO 45001 certification

& it is a huge benefit to all of current and present customers & staff.

Benefits of using ISO 45001
An ISO 45001 based OH&S management system will enable an organisation to improve its OH&S performance by:

Developing and implementing an OH&S policy and OH&S objectives

Establishing systematic processes which consider its “context” and which take into account its risks and opportunities, and its legal and other requirements

Determining the hazards and OH&S risks associated with its activities; seeking to eliminate them, or putting in controls to minimize their potential effects

Establishing operational controls to manage its OH&S risks and its legal and other requirements

Increasing awareness of its OH&S risks

Evaluating its OH&S performance and seeking to improve it, through taking appropriate actions

Ensuring workers take an active role in OH&S matters
In combination, these measures will ensure that an organisation’s reputation as a safe place to work will be promoted, and can have more direct benefits, such as:

Improving its ability to respond to regulatory compliance issues

Reducing the overall costs of incidents

Reducing downtime and the costs of disruption to operations

Reducing the cost of insurance premiums

Reducing absenteeism and employee turnover rates

Recognition for having achieved an international benchmark (which may in turn influence customers who are concerned about their social responsibilities)

Get in touch

We can help realise what’s next

Contact your workplace experts now

The importance of office branding

Find out why branding matters, especially when it comes to your office and how you inspire your staff.

Let us begin…
Branding means marketing your company using a wide variety of practises such as logos, colour schemes, symbols and tone of voice to differentiate your business from others.

Branding is important because it enables your brand to be remembered by all who interact with it in some way. It also tells the story of who your business is, what you stand for and what you offer. Good branding helps you standout from competitors, ensuring you are perceived in the way you truly want to be.

One area that many businesses miss the mark with when it comes to branding, is in their office decor. The focus of brand strength goes outwards, and the powerhouse where the ideas and inspiration, creativity and growth begin, is forgotten.

It’s not just for the “big boys”
Branding is about culture & connectivity

Anybody who has been to the Google or Facebook offices knows that there is a strong brand presence throughout, from the colour schemes and activity based working areas, to the culture of providing free food and drinks to staff.

There is huge attention to detail and that is what makes the leading brands stand out. These companies understand exactly how important the office decor is to those working in that environment, and those visiting that environment to potentially do big business.

Take a look around. Is your office currently somewhere positively oozing with your brand? Do you feel inspired when you walk around your building? Do you know for sure that any employee or potential client walking in instantly gets a strong overview of your company values without having to do anything but look around?

Find out why branding matters, especially when it comes to your office and how you inspire your staff.

Your Office Shouldn’t Just be Where You Are, But Who You Are
In the office you expect big ideas to be born.

You expect amazing business deals to be made. You expect staff to work hard and feel inspired by the company. They won’t get that from a few pot plants and some nice furniture to sit on. A branded work environment is a great way to create a visual representation of who you are so that anyone who walks through those doors gets a complete picture of your business.

Your office is more than a place, it is a helm and a hotbed of exciting ideas and growth. Show your imagination and aspirations for the future of the brand with all aspects of the office, from scent to sound, visuals to verbal – attention to detail in office decor will only reflect what matters to the business.

Office Branding Matters To Employees
These days, more than 1.54 million people work remotely from home.

Candidates no longer need to be local and can essentially be anywhere on the globe. That is fantastic for you looking for the best talent in the industry, but it also means more competition for your business as the best candidates can work for anyone they want to across the globe.

To be a more attractive prospect you can’t simply offer more money these days. Statistics tell us that the top priority for potential employees is career development and learning. The second priority though, is the organisation culture and work environment. To inspire the best talent to work for you, a fantastic branded environment to work in is a really great starting point.

Brand Consistency Should Begin In Your Office
Nearly 100% of consumers search for local businesses online, so it makes sense that increasing online presence is a priority for most companies.

However, that doesn’t mean that the physical space your company works in should be ignored. Your brand image and tone should be reflected in your office design. A workspace consultant can work with your business to creatively and effectively incorporate all aspects of your brand into your office space. It shouldn’t simply be a visual makeover, but rather, a refit that encompasses the past, present and future of the brand, nurturing the kind of culture and environment you truly feel reflects your brand and its values.

Inspiring Your Workforce To Drive The Brand Forward
At the very least, a comfortable and healthy work environment is important for employees.

A recent study told us that a massive 87% of workers would like a healthier workspace, including ergonomic seating. Employee productivity and creativity can also be deeply enhanced by an inspiring environment. You can find out more in this interesting article by Harvard Business, which looks in detail at the affect of a working environment on an employee. Data they look at, amongst many interesting finds, suggests that rather than reducing square footage that is wasted, companies are better off reworking the space. Creating an inspirational branded workspace will provide a strong base for employees to drive your brand forward.

“How do you change the world? Bring people together. Where is the easiest big place to bring people together? In the work environment.”
Adam Neumann

Branding in the work environment is an essential factor to consider when you plan your next office-refit. Speak to a workplace consultant who knows how to make your office decor truly represent your business in the way that it works, and looks. With an educated and experienced insight, the right office branding can enhance brand consistency, employee creativity and business growth.

Let us help you rebrand your space

We can design & deliver your interior branding needs

Contact your workplace experts now

The big come back: forward thinking offices are about to change forever

Read about the likely changes we will see in offices following the majority of the workforce working from home.
Covid 19 (if you haven’t heard of it by now…) has now forced the majority of the UK workforce to work from home, if they can.

Interestingly, before we were hit with this crazy pandemic, things were kind of going that way anyway. Statistics show that there has been a 74% jump in the amount of people working from their own home between 2008 and 2018. Entrepreneurs and startups are increasingly based online, and therefore, are growing at home and in coffee shops across the country. Then there’s the flexible workers, the remote workers, freelancers. Businesses are recognising that a worker doesn’t have to be present in the office, to provide the best results.

Regardless of how long you have been working from home, the fact is that as soon as those offices open again for business, things are going to be different. Or at least, they should be. They kind of have to be, actually. When we return to our offices, we will have been working from home for quite some time. Expectations will be different all round. Agile working practises are certainly a way to embrace this new desire for change.

Let’s take a closer look at the changes that happen when you work from home, and how that can be reflected in an agile office environment:

Technology is king
The latest technology makes working so much easier than ever before.

You can conference call, have a team meeting on a messaging app or virtual-meeting software. You can use social media to meet and organise meetings.

There are project management apps for milestones and messaging, calendars and shared information. Collaboration at home is so easy.

This can all be reflected in the office, with additions made to allow face to face meetings if that works the best. Inviting breakout areas, meeting zones or brainstorming zones work well. Glass walls and partitions can help connect people whilst zoning the space.

Technology connects you in more ways than ever before.

Autonomy to some degree
Working from home you are able to work where and how you know best.

People are a bit bored of neutrality and Scandi-minimalism, and that fatigue is reflected in the bright and popping office colour palette of 2020.

In an agile workplace, you can follow your instincts with this too, if the facilities and flexibility are there for you to do that. Agile working means being given everything you need to get the work done, including the freedom to work in the way you feel works best.

Health & wellbeing
Our homes are a space we have cultivated to suit our physical and emotional needs.

The window seat with blankets and books for those times your brain needs a break. The spa bathroom with a waterfall shower to pummel aching muscles. The snazzy coffee machine in the kitchen because you don’t form words until you’ve had that first cup of the good stuff in the morning.

You’ve been in that snuggly, warm womb of a workspace for the entire time isolation lasts. Only to go back to an office where none of those needs are met. A recipe for disaster? Too right. Agile offices need to start providing facilities for their employees that boost their health. From plants to beanbags, free fresh fruit and helpful events, employees need to feel supported in work in the same way they feel supported at home.

Commuting will always be rubbish
Commutes are one of the greatest bugbears of office workers.

Aren’t they hideous? They can take hours of sweaty, crammed public transport. Or if you’re lucky, hours stuck in traffic in your car.

Working from home removes that commute which can mean you’re gifted with extra time at home. More time to spend with your family, more time to enjoy your life. On your return to work, having to deal with the commute again is going to be awful. An agile office might offer various ways to overcome that commute angst, such as:

● Enabling you to work different hours, at least sometimes, means you get to avoid rush hour
● Remote working means you don’t have to commute at all on the days you can work from home
● How about work has cycles for use whenever you want to enjoy an eco-friendly ride to work?
● How about car-sharing for a commute that’s more fun?

Keep the good
Flexibility, hold on to it.

The virus has forced businesses to be imaginative, creative and adaptable when it comes to working around change. It’s forced everybody to be more fluid in how, where and why they work at any one time.

This fluidity is an essential part of an agile office and it should be treasured. It means problem solving creatively, and having the tools, the gusto and the skills to solve those problems quickly.

Workers and employers can take this amazing flexibility learnt and utilised throughout this crisis, and apply it to future operations and processes.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

Albert Einstein

The above are just some examples of ways in which working from home has paved the way for a new world in the office. Expectations are different now, and companies will be expected to have an agile working environment, in some respects at least.

The time for office transformations is now. And now is the time to start asking yourself, how will your workplace change for the better when you return?

Get in touch with the office refurbishment experts

Get return ready with us

    Key components of a well-designed office

    You need to know about these key components of an innovative office fit-out to guarantee a design that truly works for your business needs.
    An office fit-out is both an exciting and stressful event to organise. There’s a lot to think about, first and foremost ensuring that the results are ultimately worth the budget spent, and worth any disruption to day to day business.

    Choosing the right company to design and fit the new office can make the process much easier. A forward-thinking business will make the process extremely convenient and most importantly, they will collaborate with you to ensure that the most important aspects of the fit-out are fulfilled. To get a head start on exactly what your workspace consultant will focus on, take a look at the key components of a transformative office fit-out:

    Activity based working
    Agile is a forward-thinking way to work. 70% of studies suggest there is a positive effect on productivity and workplace performance with ABW compared to standard office layouts.

    Any forward-thinking workspace consultant has their eye on activity based working styles, because they offer the opportunity for businesses to enjoy a more dynamic and effective working environment. The basic principle is that any employee does not have their own desk, but rather the office has various innovative workspaces for any employee to use depending on how and where they want to work. Each employee has total autonomy over finding the best workspace for their task whether it is collaborative or independent.

    Workplace wellbeing
    A healthy workplace supports the physical, mental and social well being of the staff who work within it.

    Work related stress and mental illnesses now account for over half of lost working days in the UK. Work related musko-skeletal disorders are also a huge problem, with over 35% of all work related illnesses being MRMSD and 24% of work related absences being because of MRMSD. So on a practical level, there’s a huge reason for any business to place emphasis on the workspace they provide being a healthy one for employees. In addition, any brand who truly appreciates their employees wants to ensure they are providing the most emotionally and socially nutritious environment possible for each and every member of staff. Supporting that environment with furniture that is ergonomic in design, carefully designed lighting and sound-proofing ensures that employee physical health is also supported.

    Embracing technology
    An advanced office is a modern space that is utilising all possible technologies to enhance current working practises and possibilities.

    Cable management, communication rooms, supported networking systems, cloud and audio-visual systems and more, can free up employees to work more efficiently and productively. In addition, technology can actively enhance communication and employee humanity. Take a look at this interesting Forbes article about how technology can transform workspace humanity for a deeper insight into how tech can facilitate a better workspace for employees.

    Bringing the outside in
    Plants in office decor have been in style for quite a while.

    Outdoors inside decor stems from a greater eco-consciousness and health consciousness across the board, as style and decoration reflects societies greater awareness of the deepest human and environmental needs. In many basic re-fits, this addition of decorative plants is often highly simplistic and treats plants like ornaments. Whilst plants are aesthetically pleasing, it is a deeper connection to health and nature that is recognised by savvy workspace consultants who understand the true benefits of using plants in workspace design.

    Did you know some of the key benefits of using plants in workspace design are: Plants naturally clean VOCs and other indoor air pollutants, Seeing ‘nature’ in some shape or form is known to make humans happier & just one plant in the office can reduce stress in the workplace by up to 60%.

    Plants and living office design features are an intelligent addition to an agile fit-out.

    Lighting, acoustics & functional furniture
    Lighting is transformative in decor, and it is no different with office decor.

    The look, feel and practical use of a space can be totally transformed with the right lighting. The acoustics of a space can also transform its feel and use, particularly if noise pollution is an issue and a noise reduction could enhance the quality of that particular area.

    Furniture should always be beautiful and fit in with the visual theme of the business and branding. It can be easy to think that to have ergonomic, functional furniture, you have to sacrifice the looks. This isn’t the case. The most experienced workspace consultants will be able to source exactly the kind of furniture that your business needs to suit both aesthetic and functional requirements. There really is no compromise with agile office design.

    Talking spaces
    Talking spaces are spaces that say everything you want them to say about your brand to ensure that employees are able to live and breathe your business mission statement, values and visions each and every day.

    Talking spaces spark conversation and thoughts, creativity and inspiration with employees and any visiting clients, who can see exactly what you’re about without having to ask a single question.

    “An approach to getting work done with maximum flexibility and minimum constraints.” – Unilever

    The above key components of a truly innovative office design should be at the forefront of any truly forward-thinking office fit-out company. By investing in an agile office that is beautiful, inspiring and functional, you’re investing in a more productive, happy and healthy future for your business.

    Get in touch with the office fit-out experts

    Have a project in mind?

      Coming soon… Extreme E & their new London office

      This is the next stage in motor racing
      This is a new, radical, intense and utterly mental concept for racing, and it’s coming soon

      Extreme E is a competitive platform for accelerating the development of electric vehicles, to help create a low-carbon future powered by renewable energy. Extreme E are committed to supporting and partnering with organisations working to restore the degraded environments in which they race, the precious ecosystems within them and the people who live there.

      Above all, Extreme E hope to raise awareness and inspire action to encourage every individual to come together and play their part to safeguard the future of the Earth and all its inhabitants.

      Read more about Extreme E
      An amazing basecamp
      Based in Central London

      Immediately adjacent to the London offices of Formula E, the stunning new Extreme E offices are themed to perfection. The new space has a host of features that include unique lighting, rope walls, on brand (colour wise) sprinkler systems, container style meeting rooms and even a DJ booth.

      A true visionary
      Meet the founder of Extreme E

      Alejandro Agag is a businessman, entrepreneur and visionary. Founder & CEO of Formula E – the electric street racing series – Agag has a knack for seeing what’s on the horizon and getting on board, and this time it’s RMS St. Helena and Extreme E.

      Agag was born in Madrid and enjoyed an international upbringing in Paris and across the pond in New York – gaining fluency in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

      Read more about Extreme E

      Five key office fit-out trends to expect in 2020

      Find out the five key 2020 office trends to get ready for the exciting year ahead.
      Towards the end of the year, businesses often reflect, and then look ahead at what can be achieved in the upcoming 365 days of brand-new exciting opportunities.

      Part of forecasting your business potential involves your working environment and understanding how it can be improved in regard to productivity, employee health and company culture. To inspire you, take a look at the five key office trends of 2020:

      Number one
      Fashion – cafe culture lands in the workplace

      A true fashion trend to look out for in offices in 2020 is the reflection of coffee culture within the working space. The value of the coffee industry is over 17 billion, and 80% of those who enjoy coffee shops visit them at least once a week, with 16% visiting once a day.

       Coffee has always had a place in the office but, in 2020, the coffee culture sweeping the UK will find its way into the workplace too. At the very least, employees expect better quality coffee than the watery offerings of an old dispenser, or the chalky granules of a cheap instant. At the most, mini coffee chain outlets are working their way into buildings, and in some instances, artisan coffee stations and even coffee shop working spaces will not be surprising additions to see in 2020 professional buildings.

      Number two
      Colour – bye bye neutral hello brights

      People are a bit bored of neutrality and Scandi-minimalism, and that fatigue is reflected in the bright and popping office colour palette of 2020.

      You can see that change straight away in the highly textured colourful fabrics being used in office soft furnishings and upholstery. Patterns and tones are playful and exciting, with mint, creamy blues, ambers and peachy pinks all making a strong appearance. Coral is also making a strong comeback for braver designers.

      Natural tones provided by living plants comes with the continued wave of biophilia popularity. The trend is less plant walls and more dangling hanging plants like string of hearts and string of pearls suspended from the ceiling or on shelves. This natural trend extends further into patterns to be seen in the more playful office, such as exotic leaf prints.

      Image Sii Offices – Nantes

      Number three
      Furniture – 2020 looks soft & sustainable

      Geometric shapes and patterns have been on trend in both the home and office for quite a while, and although that trend hasn’t totally died off, in furniture, it’s been pushed aside to make space for curves. Along with more colourful upholstery, the furniture will have softer lines and curved accents. This plays nicely into the fluidity and flow naturally provided by agile working spaces taking centre stage next year.

      When it comes to the build of office furniture, sustainability is at the forefront of priorities for both businesses and manufacturers. Businesses want eco-credentials to let customers know that they care about the environment. 88% of consumers want you to help them make a difference, which is why they want to support brands who are ‘doing their bit’.

      Sustainable design is key in 2020 and it can mean including less non-recyclable materials being used in fit-outs, more sustainable materials being used such as cork flooring, as well as talking spaces presenting a greener brand overall. So, instead of a natural veneer, furniture and office materials will have deeper green kudos and build.

      Image of Radiology Partners Offices – El Segundo

      Number four
      Ways of working – collaboration is key

      Conscious co-working is another way to describe agile workspaces, or activity based working and it is going to be seen everywhere in 2020. Co-working involves well-designed zones and areas that encourage collaboration and teamwork, as well as focus areas and solo working spaces. You can also expect designated desks to be out, and instead, a wide variety of seated and standing options to use how and when you want to depending on the work that needs doing.

      Companies will also make the most out of outdoor spaces, recognising the regenerative benefits of being outdoors and having access to a natural space. Did you know that science confirms that creativity can be directly improved by access to the outdoors? Office design consultants will increasingly see requests made for hardwearing outdoor furniture and outdoor spaces that can work for business use all year round.

      Image from coworker.com

      Number 5
      Technology – smart learning & smart buildings

      There will be a sharp rise in remote and flexible working in 2020. Technology like laptops, global servers, video calls and teamwork apps all provide the ability for company employees to work together, from anywhere in the world. Offices are likely to have video-call and digital conference capabilities built-in to meeting areas. As it stands, around 70% of the global workforce work remotely at least once a week and realistically, that means the competition for the best employee talent is higher than ever. Integrated online learning systems are likely to rise in popularity as employees expect to grow within their role, otherwise, they can easily seek new work remotely.

      Smart buildings are also set to take offices by storm as AI takes centre stage. Sensors and integrated technologies will help with energy management, security, space use optimization, wellbeing, collaboration, productivity, ergonomics and more. There’s some clever tech on the way to forward thinking businesses in 2020.

      In summary
      How will your office work in 2020?

      As this year draws to a close and your thoughts drift towards your 2020 office design, it makes sense to recognise all the ways your business can benefit from the exciting design innovation on its way. Could your company benefit from biophilia? How about some beautiful textured bright fabrics or tropical patterned walls? Do you need to be more agile? There’s a lot to think about. If you’d like some expert help, consider getting in touch with an experienced office design consultant who will be able to design and re-fit your office based on your specific business needs. It could be exactly what your company needs to achieve better productivity, creativity and wellness in 2020.

      Get in touch with the office refurbishment experts

      Want to be on trend in 2020?

        Welcome to the White Building

        From initial feasibility to the full delivery
        FSL Group provided initial feasibility design and budget costing advice on the building then followed up with full planning drawings, prepared the design and access statement, met with the local councilors and heritage association and drove through to a successful approval.

        The build project was awarded as a full turn-key design and build contract with FSL responsible for the internal conversion, external renovation and construction of the associated new part underground car park and landscaping.

        Mechanically a central plant room with full district heating system running individual HIU boilers with wet heating to each apartment, full MHRV throughout, removal of the internal lift shaft and creating two new lift shafts, provision of new corridor smoke ventilation shafts have all been provided.

        Heritage approved
        With a clever use of space

        Externally new openings for doors, windows and roof lights were created, heritage approved fenestration fitted and full repair and redecoration carried out. An adjacent part underground car park in a matching style to blend has been designed.

        Luxury apartments
        All covered with an NHBC guarantee

        Internally a mix of one and two bedroom apartments complete with fitted kitchens and integrated appliances, bathrooms and en-suites.

        Each apartment is planned with veneered doors,  energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances along with all floor finishes to every room. Every apartment is to be to a high standard with the development being covered by an NHBC 10 year structural guarantee.

        Image gallery
        Get in touch with the office refurbishment experts

        Have a building development project in mind?

          Thinking office refurbishment rather than office move?

          You’re not alone, it’s time to make the space work for your business
          Your current office doesn’t have to remain stale with inflexible working arrangements that don’t help business growth.

          The average length of a commercial office space lease is between 5 and 10 years, with many businesses choosing to avoid the upheaval and disruption of a move as long as they can. In addition, the uncertain political climate has certainly had even the strongest of industries battening down the hatches and staying put in their current premises until it’s clearer exactly how the economy is going to be affected by change.

          An uncertain future for the country though, doesn’t have to mean putting up with stale, dated office interior dynamics that hinder business growth, dynamics ,productivity and brand image.

          It’s true, the UK work environment is providing lots of challenges across the board, but there’s also some exciting opportunities for change too…

          Inefficient working styles?
          Do you need to be more agile?

          Agile working is a combination of working differently and utilising new technology to aid those changes. Therefore, it makes logical sense that a change in furniture and decor can help aid this transition for businesses. If you’re looking to cultivate a more productive environment where the team can work where and how they want to, consider reaching out to one of our workplace consultants. We have extensive experience in designing innovative office changes that make a big impact and enhance agile working practices specific to your business needs.

          “Agile is an attitude, not a technique with boundaries. An attitude has no boundaries, so we wouldn’t ask ‘can I use agile here’ but rather ‘how would I act in an agile way’ or ‘how agile can we be here?’.”
          Alistair Cockburn

          Communication is key for every business
          Where’s my desk gone?

          97% of employees believe communication has an impact on tasks performed daily, and 1 in 3 projects are thought to fail because of bad communication. We’re old hats at what we do, and we know that it is unacceptable for any business we work with to have to face unexpected changes and adaptations because of bad communication on our part.

          Instead, we use effective change management using staff user groups and communication to ensure there are no nasty surprises, only plenty of great ones.

          It’s more than a lick of paint
          An office refurbishment based on insight and ingenuity

          An insightful Forbes article discussed how over 50% of employees aren’t engaged in their work with nearly 20% saying they are actively disengaged. The write-up continued to explain how innovative office design is the best way to actively engage workers and encourage dynamic, productive teamwork. Simply put, offices that are collaborative and utilise activity based working are happier, because employees are free to redefine where and how they work.

          We know that’s what modern business owners really want to achieve. Savvy business owners aren’t looking to adapt their office space to simply ‘look’ good. It’s an empty investment to get a few nice looking banners, some edgy looking chairs, some glass walls and the odd cacti dotted around for ‘outdoors in’ chic. It’s style without substance, and sometimes, there’s not even any style. To establish ourselves as industry leaders, we work in a way that ensures each and every office adaptation made is made for a distinct reason. We design an office based on:

          • Workplace consultancy and study
          • New furniture acquisition & recommendation
          • Space reinvention
          • Interior revitalisation
          • Recommending and supporting new types of space usage

          We have carefully created a way of working that is as innovative and flexible as the offices we design and install.

          Are You Cashing In On Every Square Foot Of The Office?

          Every business welcomes additional income, especially when it comes with a need for no additional equipment, training or staff. Have you considered setting up a demise wall, so that the space you pay for, but you don’t use, can be utilised by those looking to sublet? Freelancers, startups, smaller businesses and anybody needing temporary professional space to work in have money to give you, just for using a space that you already have.

          We take care of the legal side of things
          Skip the legal headache of office adaptations…

          The average business owner works nearly 46 hours a week, usually including weekends. If you just read that through a yawn, and following a glug of coffee, the chances are you already know exactly how little time you have. We understand that modern business owners and management staff are extremely busy. We know you are unlikely to want the headache of the legalities behind a new office fit, despite wanting the benefits of getting a better working space. We take care of the Building Control, License To Alter packs and landlord approvals, so that you don’t have to. We value your time.

          We’ll project manage the refurbishment
          Project management comes as standard

          Maybe you would love an office refit but you just don’t want the hassle of having to manage another project when you’re already so busy. Would you change your mind if an effective, professional team made the entire experience a breeze for you? No need to chase anything up, no nasty surprises, no rubbish communication, just an easy process that results in a phenomenal office designed to suit your business needs. If you work with the best, you get the best experience.

          Zero disruption during the office refurbishment
          It’s oh so quiet shh, shh…

          There’s no blowing a fuse, and certainly no WHAM BAM with the way that our experienced team works in offices. No extensive disruption, dust or noise. We know that modern businesses are looking to avoid all of that upheaval, that is one of the reasons why you haven’t moved right? Instead, you can expect easy-to-use swing spaces to use whilst the renovation is done. Any loud and messy work that needs doing is completed strictly out of hours.

          Let your space talk your brand
          An office refurbishment palette to enhance brand culture

          Using colour, furniture, imagery, layout and a wide variety of suggestions and ideas, we can actively enhance your brand culture with a well-thought out office design. The mission and values of your brand should be reflected in the place you work, creating the kind of working environment that truly reflects who you are as a business.

          “Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.”
          George Bernard Shaw.

          Modern businesses like yours can benefit from a complete change in workspace, without having to change location. Businesses can benefit from our extensive experience, insight and creative working processes to help cultivate the kind of office environment and culture that actively enhances productivity, happiness and collaboration.

          Get in touch with the office refurbishment experts

          Have an office refurbishment project in mind?

            Get a better space

            We live in an era where the amount of employees working from home continues to rise and advanced communication and project management apps and technology enables any company to work with any appropriate candidate worldwide.

             

            More and more information like this is dropping into the headlines daily. It really is no surprise that employers have no choice but to step up their game when it comes to providing a more fluid and dramatically less linear way of working for employees if they want to retain the best in the industry.

            How can forward-thinking businesses snare excellent candidates these days? Stealing them away from remote working and freelance offerings without compromising on a carefully cultivated office environment?

            Activity Based Working: What Is It?

            If you are interested in creating an office environment that benefits your business and every single member of your team, activity based workplace design should be high on your agenda.

            The concept was first properly formed in 1983 by Robert Luchetti, and the term activity based working coined in groundbreaking book The Art Of Working by Erik Veldhoen. In the early 90’s, the implementation of the concept occurred in the Netherlands and has spread worldwide since.

            It works on the basis that rather than trudging in to the office to spend the day at your allocated desk, you simply don’t have one single assigned space to work in, you actually have many. You can choose from a workspace design with a wide selection of different zones or areas, designed to support certain types of task. Workplace consultants will create spaces to facilitate needs such as focus, working as a team, or for training.

            As each area has to accommodate the needs of a wide range of users and it has to be flexible for that reason. When implementing ABW managers and supporting staff have to first be on board with the huge change that comes with this new way of working so that they are in a position to help employees transition as smoothly as possible.

            The Benefits Of Activity Based Working

            Who doesn’t love a desk? Lots of employees enjoy their own dedicated workspace, with their own cacti, maybe a picture of the kids and the comfort of knowing that is their space to work and nobody else’s.

            So why change anything?

            Activity-based working comes with many benefits, predominantly recognising that employees do have a wide range of workstyle needs depending on the type of task they need to complete. Rather than have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ desk, ABW staff can enjoy the choice of workspace, enhancing their own productivity.

            Key benefits of activity based working (source design and management of activity based workplaces, Theo J M Van der Voordt, Delft University Of Technology)

            • Architecture and workplace design appreciated by staff
            • Better communication in the workplace in general
            • Easier socialisation
            • Ease of exchanging information
            • Better office dynamics
            • Better office acoustics
            • More comfortable furniture

            With the right workplace design and the right implementation, there are many benefits to ABW for many different types of business and organisation.

            Is Activity Based Working Right For Everyone?

            A study by Leesman Index suggests that certain types of workers are pretty attached to their workstation and they represent 30% of the workforce, and a further 41% will explore other workspaces, but still remain tethered to a workspace to call their own.

            This does represent a significant issue for businesses trying to transition to much better working practices, especially as certain job types are so linear and straight-forward, they don’t necessarily call for a more flexible way of working.

            Another potential hurdle for ABW is office ergonomics, or rather, ensuring that the ergonomics in the workplace are correctly integrated into the shared zones created by workplace consultants.

            Statistics tell us that over 3 quarters of British workers spend up to 9 hours at their desk every single day with over a third of those people spending up to 6 hours seated. Those figures alone tell us that a different way of formatting an office is likely incredibly good for the health and lifestyle of the British workforce. However, additional figures reveal that a change like activity based working needs to be paired with strong ergonomics of the new workspaces.

            64% of workers feel their office environment has negatively impacted their health, 45% don’t feel their employer cares about their health and 26% aren’t even aware of risk assessments for workspaces.

            So a change in the office layout without the right risk assessments and ergonomic consideration could spell disaster for any company looking to keep their employees healthy and happy (and looking to avoid being sued!).

            ABW can be ergonomically sound, but the organisation implementing the change should seek to employ workplace consultants with expertise in office ergonomics, ensuring that health and safety are a central feature of the new commercial fit out.

            “The secret to getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain

            Adopting an activity based working office design is a great way for businesses to begin future-proofing, offering a flexible and modern environment for their employees. The focus is on we and not I, and on the work produced, not on the way it is produced. With ABW there is no specific place for work to be completed, but also, there are multiple spaces that it can be completed.

            Working in this way does require a transitional period, experienced workplace consultants and a detailed analysis and approach to implementation for any chance at a successful result.

            If successful, activity based working can bring a wealth of benefits to any company, initially helping to retain and attract employees with a focus on what they can do, not where they can do it. Businesses looking to invest in activity based working are cultivating a modern and truly flexible workspace designed to accommodate optimum productivity, health and happiness.

            IRIS Software HQ

            We have recently completed a 35,000 sq. ft workplace fit-out for IRIS Software in their new headquarters based at Heathrow Approach on the M4 contains many high end design features including a 17 metre curved wall as the backdrop to a solid corian reception desk. Accommodating the third and fourth floors it is now home to 240 staff members who have access to a large collaboration wing, bookable meeting rooms, quiet rooms, ad hoc meeting spaces and state of the video conferencing and iPad controlled coffee machines from our friends at Scanomat.

            The result of this project has been the undertaking  of furniture and fit-out project for IRIS Software’s further twelve offices across the UK.

            View the project here