Design for the times

REMAKING OUR HQ
In 2018, we refurbished our Reading headquarters, located in a retail park. We faced the challenge of a dynamic workforce, with many full-time employees spending much of their time visiting client sites, attending new business pitches and networking events. We needed a space to suit a fast-growing team of varying ages and working styles, with accommodation for flexible working. We wanted breakout space for meetings and lunches, a welcoming environment, and, most importantly, choice and variety.

Stripping the space back to the bare bones of four white walls, we started completely from scratch. We had one square box and a warehouse. We experimented with ideas and devised four main spaces:

• A bank of desks (sit-stand and fixed) able to host the majority of the team at the same time.
• Flexible breakout spaces, such as the bright and airy kitchen and comfortable sofa pods for relaxed working.
• Two formal meeting rooms, convertible into one larger room.

Over a four-week period we transformed the previously uninspiring space into a dynamic open-plan working environment. We constructed a mezzanine level and a brand-new kitchen area, acoustic folding walls between meeting rooms, and a bright and colourful main desk area. We now encourage hot-desking to promote cross-team relations and promote the versatility of the space. We introduced a ‘no food at your desk’ policy, installed a state-of-the-art coffee machine, and fitted a wide-screen TV with Netflix to encourage staff to take lunch breaks and spend time away from their desks.

The feedback has been excellent. Staff appreciate the flexibility, the natural light and the biophilic touches, but they are mostly grateful that they have a choice. During a single morning, a member of staff could work at a desk, in the sofa pod, in a meeting room and at the kitchen table. However and wherever they wish to work, there is a space that supports that.

As an SME ourselves, we understand that budgets can be tight. We are introducing a cost-effective, tailored service called Active SQA (Simple, Quick, Affordable) that showcases a range of styles, colours and furnishing options for the workplace, aimed at businesses with between 30 and 50 people.

There is no escaping the fact that workplace transformation is a demanding and stressful exercise which requires time, collaboration and effective planning. But it also presents an opportunity to bring about real, positive change. Whether you are making small stylistic improvements or considering a full relocation or refurbishment, it’s important to listen to your employees, discover what they really want, and create the workplace that keeps everyone happy, engaged and productive.