Vision, values, brief

Working closely with the principal stakeholders, we start by dissecting the brief to understand the ambitions for the workplace and the organisation’s requirements.

If the senior team agrees, we talk to departmental managers as well as employees to understand the reality of the issues they face and what they would like from their new/remodelled workplace – from health and safety issues, to security, sensitive/confidential environments, IT disruptions, etc.

Initial site suitability & assessment

Whether reimaging an existing workplace, or creating your ideal ‘space’ in a new location, there is a raft of critical housekeeping data which has to be determined at the outset. 

Such as:

• Whether the refurbished or proposed new workspace is the right size
• Does it have the correct services to accommodate the new plans
• Does it have sufficient natural light
• Does the HVAC* infrastructure which is fit for purpose
• Will the electrical capacity meet the needs of the futureproofed new workplace

But above all, we will model the adaptations to the space to ensure the build costs for the fitout meet your objectives.

Timing is also key: how long will it take to fit-out the space, given the conclusions of the assessment audit.

These are the frequently asked questions, as well as the issues we will advise on and help you address.

*Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

Space planning

Whether planning the layout of a new workplace, or reworking an existing space, we consider every aspect of how the space will be deployed.

Our initial space audit shapes the recommendations we make – from future proofing the space and ensuring it reflects current and potential work practices, to the utilisation of the layout, rethinking and maximising storage choices and design choices (including biophilic recommendations, finishes and coverings) to ensure your brand and corporate philosophy ambitions are met.

Recommendations are carefully developed to ensure they reflect our clients’ occupational requirements, colour palates, values and ambitions.

Turning the brief into reality

Once we have drilled deep into the brief and understood the complex interactions of people, activity, corporate ambitions and how the workplace will be used, we start developing detailed ideas.

This is the bridge between the brief/vision and the physical constraints of reality.

When the strategy and plans have been ratified by the Client Team, we create high-quality CAD/CAM files to facilitate informed decision-making, as well as eliminating any ambiguity during the tendering stage - this ensures complete understanding of the task, from a contractor’s perspective – and enables the accurate pricing of every aspect of the initiative.

The plans we submit include precise details such as:

• Meeting rooms, collaboration centres, quiet zones, desk area design and size options
• Social areas, kitchen and washroom facilities’ designs
• Partitioning layouts – where they will be and what (materials) they will comprise
• Fire safety and exit points
• Roof and plant equipment plans
• Floorcovering options
• Wellbeing factors including air conditioning, air extraction systems, lighting design plans
• Infrastructure elements such as power arrangements, data infrastructure, audio-visual recommendations, emergency lighting
• Safety features such as emergency (escape) signage and exit routes to meet Building Control measures

Project management

Once the plan is agreed upon and validated costs are signed off, work begins in earnest.

Whether we are re-shaping an existing premises, or creating a new workplace to meet your financial, occupational and brand requirements, our application is focused on delivery - on time, of budget and on spec. 

We:

• Select the contractors with a proven and relevant track record to bid for the refurbishment/fit-out work
• Brief them thoroughly, to ensure the submissions from the invited bidders are detailed enough for us to make an informed decision as to who we would recommend our clients appoint
• Part of our due diligence comprises:
• Reviewing contractors’ credentials and qualifications
• Check case studies
• Seek customer testimonials and/or site visits
• Showroom visits
• Price negotiations
• We manage the whole process: from contractor identification and selection to Project Management and ensuring the successful completion of the assignment

Our job is to worry about and resolve all the ‘little’ things, so you can focus on the big thing – doing your day job.