The pandemic catalysed a significant societal change for office
space: one where the future of the workplace is hybrid and flexible. Commercial property
stands at a crossroads as the demand for fixed office space decreases whilst businesses have
a renewed focus on collaboration, well being and productivity...
Posted in Office Design by Active on 3rd August 2022
Visit us to learn how the appearance of different areas of your
office can affect the reputation of your business – and how facilities management can help.
After two years of home and flexible working, you can be forgiven for
thinking that the days of ‘going to the office’ are numbered. However, what we’ve seen is
the opposite;
Posted in Office Design by Active on 15th March 2022
As more workplaces start to return to some sense of 'normality' amid
the COVID pandemic, many firms have taken the last two years as an opportunity to 'refresh
and reset' the way they operate.
Posted in Business Bites by Active on 11th November 2021
With a long history of facilities management behind us, we have built
up a wide and varied client base – not just in terms of the different types of work
involved.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 22th September 2021
COVID-19 has created unprecedented and extraordinary challenges for
people around the world – not least within our workplaces. However, as restrictions are
slowly being lifted as vaccines are being rolled out, we can at the very least, look to get
back to some semblance of the ‘normal’ we experienced pre-March 2020.
With workplaces across the country making plans to return to the
physical office after a year away, much thought is being placed into how these environments
can be made COVID-safe.
If the Coronavirus pandemic has you thinking about downsizing your
workplace (or blending elements of remote working within its design), it could be the case
that you may require an office relocation.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 7th February 2021
After a tough 2020, the continuing rollout of Coronavirus vaccines
has given us all hope that we’ll be able to get back to some semblance of ‘normal’ in 2021.
After a year of working from home, it’s understandable if people are reluctant to return to
their desks – and the primary focus of any business should be ensuring the safety of its
workforce.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 2nd February 2021
With 2020 being such a write-off, as most of us have been working
from home, it’s no surprise that many firms have taken the time away from the office to
consider its future – namely, ‘am I getting value from my current fit-out?’
Posted in Office Design by Active on 27th January 2021
2020 has been a challenging year for us all – at the very least we’ve
had to deal with an erratic work schedule that has seen us work from home. The initial
lifting of the March lockdown in late June proved to be a false start – November saw offices
close again, with many of them already spending thousands of pounds in adapting their spaces
for COVID-safe measures.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 17th January 2021
With news of a vaccine on the way, there is a glimmer of light ahead
in what has been a dark 2020. After a false start already, this is certainly encouraging for
the many businesses that have had to close, then adapt to the ‘new normal’, before having to
close all over again.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 24th
March 2020
The technology used for work nowadays dictates how an office design
is set up. From working alongside collaborative robots, through to wearable tech that can
track levels of stress – it’s safe to say that workplace technology has advanced greatly
from the Macs, laptops and smartphones that dominated the previous decade.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 2nd
March 2020
Throughout the years on this blog, we have discussed the challenges
that flexible working creates for unseen workers and the organisations that employ them.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 21th
February 2020
As we’re a bespoke workplace solutions company, it can be easy for us
to ‘talk the talk’ about our client-based work – it’s another thing to ‘walk the walk’,
however. As workplace refurbishment is a speciality of ours, when it came to performing an
office refurbishment in Berkshire for our own HQ, we had to ensure that we were
fully-equipped and up to the challenge to ensure that we practice what we preach.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 21th
February 2020
Whilst every single business out there would love to have a working
environment that has been created for the needs of their employees, obtaining a bespoke
office design may be seen by some as expensive and unaffordable.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 16th
January 2020
Flexible working is one of the fastest-growing office design trends –
with the latest technologies cutting the tethers that bind workers to their desks, people
are now able to move around and choose the environments in which they work. This opens up
exciting new possibilities for businesses who want to get the best out of their employees.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 13th
December 2019
There was once a time when the office was used solely as a workplace
– this is why office design of the past was based on the ‘factory floor’ concept; people
were stuck in every inch of space to complete work as efficiently and quickly as
possible.Time allows us to learn and develop and soon enough, we realised that the workplace
should be more than simply ‘a facility to play host to a workforce’.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 13th
December 2019
In April this year, the team here at Active Workplace Solutions were
tasked with performing a ‘get out’ and ‘get in’ office relocation job for the 70 staff of
Nationwide Hire – within a window of 48 hours.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 4th
December 2019
One of the most important things regarding office design and
workplace refurbishment is employee wellbeing. After all, just like nation’s are often
measured on their GDP, it’s often much more valuable to look at the health and happiness of
your employees, just like the happiness of a citizen gives a much more down-to-earth
understanding of life in that nation.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 10th
October 2019
Simply put, office furniture shouldn’t be an afterthought. It isn’t
just about choosing comfortable and stylish furniture, your furniture is a powerful tool to
boost the productivity and wellbeing of your business.
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 5th
September 2019
The Active team has spent the summer networking at various industry
events.Covering topics from sit-stand desks through to remote working, and successful change
management implementation, in this blog we’re going to share with you what we’ve learnt.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 4th
September 2019
Just think about how much time your employees spend in the office
environment? How can you make this environment more productive, is the secret modern office
furniture?
Posted in Relocation by Active Workplace Solutions on 3rd
September 2019
Considering relocating your business to a new premises but not sure
how to get started? If done correctly, office relocation could result in significant boosts
to employee productivity and wellbeing.
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 30th
August 2019
Starting in April 2019, Agata is one of Active’s most recent
recruits. She has already established herself as an integral part of the team at head
office, assisting with the daily running of the office, tasks and projects.
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 14th
August 2019
Joining Active Workplace Solutions back in 2017, Emily is one of the
many successful apprentices who has completed their scheme here at Active. Two years later,
Emily is still progressing within the business.In this blog, we hear from her to find out a
bit more about her journey.
Posted in Relocation by Active Workplace Solutions on 7th
August 2019
If you’re considering utilising a professional workplace solution
with the aim of improving your office environment’s productivity and wellbeing, the Active
team can provide a wide variety of workplace solutions including office relocation,
refurbishment, and furnishing services.
Posted in Relocation by Active Workplace Solutions on 15th
July 2019
Finding the right office space for your business can be very
difficult. There are numerous different reasons why businesses choose to relocate and it can
be very difficult to find that location which ‘ticks all the boxes’.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 4th
July 2019
Technology is quickly changing, as such it is very important that
your business’ office is designed in such a way that it can utilise improvements in
technology that could be used to boost either or both workplace productivity and employee
wellbeing.
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 2nd
July 2019
Ever wanted to know what happens when we clear out a client site? You
may presume it’s just a case of ‘out with the old and in with the new’, but there’s a much
more sophisticated approach to making the most of used items.
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 13th
June 2019
Unsure if a managed office solution is the right path for your
business? Here’s a quick list of 5 ways our Managed Office Reading services can help your
company to succeed in the challenges of the 21st century working environment.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 11th
June 2019
Struggling with what office design to choose? As experts in Office
Design Reading, the Active Workplace Solutions team is on hand to provide advice and office
interior solutions to help bring your dream workplace into reality.
Posted in Design & Relocation by Active Workplace Solutions on
14th May 2019
Whilst we’re not a fairy Godmother with a magic wand, we are Reading
office design specialists with a wealth of experience; our client portfolio includes
well-known organisations such as Mercedes-Benz and Channel 4
Posted in Design & Relocation by Active Facilities Management
on 1st May 2019
Here at Active Workplace Solutions, we've been providing businesses
from a diverse range of industries with professional solutions for Office Refurbishment in
Maidenhead for many years. Since forming in 1999, our business has flourished into one of
the most trusted businesses within the sector, with a client portfolio including well-known
organisations such as Mercedes-Benz and Channel 4.
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 23th
April 2019
Adrian Powell, co-owner and director of Active Workplace Solutions
tells us a little bit more about himself and his journey with Active Workplace Solutions.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 9th
April 2019
As experienced providers of office refurbishment in Berkshire, if you
want to update your office environment, there are numerous different workplace solutions
that we can provide to enhance your business and boost the productivity of the office.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 9th
April 2019
One of the many challenges businesses face is the question of
boosting workplace productivity. However, did you know that your workplace design and layout
could be harming the morale and quality of work produced by your employees?
Posted in Design & Relocation by Active Workplace Solutions on
2nd April 2019
The clocks went forward last weekend, which means it’s now lighter
earlier as our alarms go off, but we have lost an hour in bed. We’ve probably all read lots
about adjusting to this from a sleep perspective and how an awful lot of people suffer from
seasonal depression, but how important is light to our workplaces and the people who use
them and how can we make sure we get it right?
Posted in Business Bites by Active Workplace Solutions on 26th
March 2019
A few short months into his new role as Business Development Manager
here at Active we sat down with James Phillips to get to know him a little better and talk
about his experience of the industry so far…
By embracing mindfulness, we can better understand ourselves and
increase the amount of enjoyment and fulfilment from our lives. As such, any business
seeking to improve the wellbeing and productivity of their workforce should seek to promote
mindfulness in office design.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 25th
February 2019
Patterns; are they just there to look pretty or do they have other
uses within the office environment? As prestigious providers of office design in Reading,
we’re always searching for new and innovative ways to improve our workplace design and
management, so join us as we embark on a quest of discovery regarding the use of patterns in
the workplace.
Posted in Office Design by Active Workplace Solutions on 18th
February 2019
Office furniture doesn’t go bad in the same way that milk or cheese
goes bad, however there are a few tell tale signs that it might be time to replace your
current furniture and upgrade to modern office furniture.
As the working year draws to a close, what better time to reflect on
the year we’ve had? In our industry alone, we’ve seen a whole host of changes and challenges
in 2018.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 16th November 2018
Office Interior Office interior services can provide a wide range of
advantages to your business, however in order to gain these benefits, you'll need to make
sure that you choose the right office fit out company. So how do you know which business is
best suited to your needs?
At Active, we encourage staff to look after their wellbeing at work.
Maintaining a work-life balance, is incredibly important and is used to combat stress and
the pressures of work.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 5th November 2018
Businesses are looking for different ways to improve their business’
working conditions; one way to do this is to improve the office furniture. However, how do
you know what areas of modern office furniture you need to improve and what elements are
currently working well?
Posted in Office Design by Active on 31th October 2018
Businesses are frequently looking for ways that they can improve the
productivity in their workplace, but did you know that the office design and space planning
of your office environment can have a significant impact on the productivity and well being
of your employees?
By looking after employees’ cognitive wellbeing, other elements often
fall into place. Ultimately achieving the end goal of employees feeling energised and ready
to produce high-quality work as a result of increased wellbeing levels.
Work culture in the UK (and across the globe) is becoming
increasingly demanding and we want to do our best to minimise this. A happy and healthy
employee is a productive employee, and among other work-related factors, the correct balance
between work and life influences employee happiness, productivity, effectiveness and overall
wellbeing.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 1st October 2018
As a bespoke workplace solutions company, it is important that we
don't just 'talk the talk'. We've got to walk the walk too. Workplace refurbishment is
something we specialise in, so when it came to the challenge of refurbishing our ActiveHQ,
we were well equipped and up to the challenge.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 24th September 2018
Office Interior services empower businesses to transform their
working environment into one that motivates and inspires their employees to achieve their
best. However, with a variety of different office interior solutions to choose from
including refurbishment and design, how do you know which service is best suited to your
needs?
Posted in Office Design by Active on 10th September 2018
We all know that first impressions count, but did you know that the
layout of your office could be causing potential candidates to turn down job offers? Here’s
a list of 2 reasons why your business needs the assistance of a skilled office fit out
company.
Brexit. At times it seems to be everything anyone is talking about.
However, whilst the news and other political commentators frequentlydiscuss things such as
freedom of movement and trade tariffs, many areas of Brexit that will impact businesses all
over the country are often left un-discussed. Indeed, could Brexit have an impact on office
fit outs
If you’re searching for a way to reduce the stress with regards to
finding a new location for your business and keeping the office well maintained, a
professional managed offices service could be the ideal office solution for you.
There are numerous different office design factors that can affect
the productivity of an office environment such as office furniture and office layout.
However, could the use of colours in your office affect office productivity and wellbeing?
Wellbeing is at the forefront of many conversations surrounding
mental health, and it has been for quite some time now. And while it is of course important
to take care of others' wellbeing,people often seem to become so focused on that, they
forget about their own mental health.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know when the time is right to
change the design of your workplace. Indeed, with numerous different trends coming and going
it can be confusing to know when the time is right for you to change your business’ office
design.
At Active, we understand that many people may find that refurbishing
your place of work can be a difficult and confusing process. So in order to give you a
helping hand, here is a quick list of three suggestions for a successful office fit out.
When designing an office it is very important that you think ahead.
Indeed an office not only has to meet your business’ needs of today, but it also has to
provide you with the tools to meet the needs of the future.
This month work officially started on the refurbishment of Active’s
Reading HQ. Find out more about how we plan to transform our office over the next 4 weeks...
When considering office relocation, some businesses can find it very
difficult to find a new location. So to give you a helping hand, here is a list of two
things to consider when searching for a new workplace to help you find a great office
location.
Many businesses want to improve their workplace in order to boost
productivity and employee wellbeing. However,sometimes it can be difficult to think of ways
that you could improve your business' office design.
Active was awarded the contract to design, fit out and source the
furniture for a 60 seat business incubation centre and co-working space at Thames Valley
Science Park’s (TVSP) new Shinfield campus. The space will form an integral part of the
‘Innovation Catalyst’ partnership providing a comprehensive offering to business innovators
across the region.
Modern furnishing within your workplace can have a fantastic
beneficial affect on your office space, however poor quality furniture could seriously
affect productivity, wellbeing and employee morale.
We understand that refurbishing your place of work can sometimes be a
confusing and difficult task. So, to give you a helping hand, here is a list of 4 tips for
office refurbishment.
We are extremely proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for
the SME of the Year category in the Thames Valley Business & Community Awards 2018. After
reaching the finals in both the IoD and Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards towards the
end of last year, we are over the moon to have started 2018 with yet another fantastic
achievement!
In the busy business world, it can be easy to put thoughts about the
office design to one side – after all, it’s only the building that plays host to our work.
With so much to concentrate on, on a day-to-day basis, it’s understandable that the role of
the office is forgotten about.
There are lots of different things to consider when designing a new
office environment. As such, designing your business’ new working environment can sometimes
be a difficult, challenging, and sometimes stressful experience.
2017 has been a great year for Active. We have welcomed new faces,
new clients, participated in lots of events and banked some great achievements along the
way. We would like to share with you the highlights of 2017 and preview our 2018 plans.
Office refurbishment can be a confusing process, and with lots of
different office fit out companies to choose from, making a decision can be difficult.
This month the Active team were awarded highly commended for the SME
of the Year at the Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards 2017.The glamorous, black-tie
event took place on November 16th at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre in Reading, and
welcomed over 300 guests from an array of successful and thriving businesses across the
region.
We are pleased to announce that Active retained its accreditation
against the Investors in People Standard having upheld this accreditation for the previous 3
years. We are extremely proud to be recognised for our commitment to high performance
through good people management...
Posted in Relocation by Active on 7th November 2017
If you believe you’ve outgrown your current office interiors, have
been looking at moving simply to save on rental costs or need to take advantage of the
amenities available in a new area, then an office relocation is an obvious must.
This month Active was named one of the seven finalists for the Thames
Valley Business Magazine Award’s SME of the Year 2017! Joining Active in the category is
CitNOW, Diamond Logistics, Firefly Human Capital, Hawkins Group of Companies, IPRO Solutions
and McFarlane Telfer.
Talking about the benefits that a re-designed and better-organised
office has on your business is all well and good – but it’s an investment that some
operations just can’t afford to make. Whether this reluctance to invest is through
fluctuating profit margins, an unpredictable industry market, or even high rental rates, the
prospect of transforming your workspace may seem unrealistic, perhaps for the foreseeable
future.
Adrian Powell, director and owner of office interiors company Active,
has been awarded the Institute of Directors (IoD) Highly Commended Award for SME Company
Director of the Year at last week’s glittering award ceremony.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 26th September 2017
Are productivity levels in the office falling? Perhaps you’ve
rebranded and your current office space just doesn’t suit your companies culture anymore.
Here are 6 sure signs it’s time for an office refurbishment…
Professional office design from Active. If you would like to learn
more or make an enquiry, please give our friendly team a call today on 0845 130 9066.
Active provide a wide variety of different office services including
office refurbishment, office design and managed offices. If you’re interested in a
professional office solution please don’t hesitate to give our friendly team a call on 0845
130 9066.
Next month we will be exhibiting at The Festival of Business Woodley
in celebration of the strong business community across Woodley and surrounding areas of
Sonning, Twyford, Winnersh, Earley.
It is a well-known fact that our senses play a vital part in how we
experience and react to the environment around us. With sight, sound, touch, taste and smell
all having an influence over our perception and mood, it is vital that all of these are
considered equally when designing offices with a human focus…
Over the last year, Active’s office fit out team has gone from
strength to strength, winning a number of large refurbishment and fit out contracts for some
of UK’s leading businesses. Going forward, to assist with rapid growth plans, Active looks
to expand its team further...
Posted in Office Design by Active on 15th August 2017
First impressions are very important. As such it is vital that any
client or potential employee feels inspired and optimistic from the moment that they first
visit your premises. If your office space is in need of rejuvenation, have you considered a
professional service for office refurbishment in Reading from Active?
Today’s workplace is becoming ever more diverse, with people working
longer, the modern office is now home to multiple generations. So, what do these generations
want from their workspace? And how do we ensure we cater for all? Active discuss…
It goes without saying that a work environment that is happy, is one
that creates a better sense of community; a sense that everyone is as important as the other
links in this chain that is holding the business up and making it a success.
Although there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to designing for
well being, there are certain areas that must be considered. Active discuss 5 concepts you
must consider when designing for wellbeing in YOUR workplace…
Active has been awarded accreditation from Alcumus SafeContractor for
achieving excellence in health and safety in the workplace for the 9th year running...
Although the look and feel of an office environment may vastly change
as the years go by, there are certain aspects and requirements of an office design that, if
remaining constant, will help the business to be a success. No matter the design of a
workplace, office fit out companies advise business organisations that their in-office
environment must meet its needs and aims, inspire its staff, as well as reduce operating
costs – it’s these aspects that make for the most cost-effective workplace as possible.
The ability to retain an organised office environment is vitally
important for many reasons, the main reason, of course, being how successful your business
or company could be. It’s commonplace for a workplace to become slightly disorganised after
a period of time – especially during particularly stressful periods in which everyone will
be working flat-out to achieve their aims.
On June the 8th the Active team along with a number our most valued
clients and contractors boarded the Georgian for our first ever Active Summertime Networking
Boat Party.
This year, the Active team went en masse to explore the latest and
upcoming furniture trends emerging in today’s workplace, as well as catching up with
existing furniture partners to see the new products they have to offer...
It is no secret that by designing a workplace that your employees
enjoy spending time in that you will see a positive impact on staff productivity, engagement
and retention. So how do you create a five-star experience for your employees? Active
discuss…
We are extremely pleased to announce that Active Director, Adrian
Powell, has been awarded the London and Southeast, Director of the Year (for companies up to
£9.99M) in the IoD, Director of the Year Awards 2017!
When businesses seek to improve workplace productivity, one thing
often forgotten about is the office itself. A managed office solution from Active has many
benefits. We offer the whole package, finding, furnishing, moving you in and maintenance. If
you’re interested in managed offices, give our friendly and dedicated team a call on +44
(0)845 130 9066.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 24th April 2017
With 70% of workers reporting the sound of the conversation of their
coworkers as the most distracting thing in the workplace, it is important that acoustics are
not overlooked when designing a high-performance workplace. In order to ensure this, there
are a variety of acoustic solutions available to suit a range of budgets and spaces...
This month, Active’s Marketing Coordinator, Jennie Armley, had the
opportunity to take a sneak peek into leading media agency, Havas Group’s, HKX building at
St Pancras Square, London. Following a range of relocation and clearance work conducted by
Active, HKX is now home to over 1500 members of staff...
Keeping your workplace in a good condition is very important for
numerous reasons; if you are in need of some advice, here are 6 office maintenance tips to
keep your office running smoothly in a good condition!
Just as companies were getting to grips with Generation Y, or
millennials as they are more commonly known, a new generation is set to enter the workplace.
Enter Generation Z; the Digital Natives, the leaders of online collaboration and the future
of our workforce…
When planning an office refurbishment, it is important to consider
the use of colour in your design and the effect your colour scheme will have on your
employees. Active discuss a range of colours and how they can be used in the workplace
design…
Posted in Office Design by Active on 8th February 2017
Despite the recent rise in flexible working, there are still some
companies who are apprehensive about implementing it within their own organisations. Active
discuss 5 main benefits for encouraging a trust based, flexible working culture...
Year on year the Active team follow the latest design trends and
concepts in the workplace. Through the attendance of a range of industry events including;
trade shows, seminars and discussions, Active has seen both the development of existing
trends as well as several new trends emerge into the market.
With office workers spending over 35 hours a week sat at their desks,
it is more crucial than ever to ensure you have the correct office chair. But what defines a
good office chair? And why is it so important? Active discuss…
Posted in Office Design by Active on 6th December 2016
Recent research suggests that the incorporation of natural elements
within the office can have a positive effect on common workplace issues such as wellbeing
and productivity.
What makes a gold standard facilities manager? Design journalist
Fiona McAuslan interviews one of the facilities managers behind the Olympics and the
Commonwealth Games how they pulled off two world-class events.
This month, the Active team visited the Surface Design Show 2016
(SDS16) in order to discover some of the latest trends and innovation in surface design.
Posted in Office Design by Active on 6th December 2016
Last month Techo, one of the UK's leading office furniture
manufacturers, launched the new Sidiz Flight chair. Being a supplier of Techo furniture, the
team at Active had the pleasure of sampling the new chair in our very own office.
“7 seconds”, “3 seconds”, “a 10th of a second” – these are all
supposedly the amount of time it takes to make a first impression. Whether it’s 7 or a 10th,
we are still talking an amount of seconds before a potential client makes a lasting judgment
about your company. Now, that is a scary thought!
Recent health reports have labelled prolonged periods of sitting to
be as detrimental as smoking. However, innovative office design can help change the culture
of sitting says design and fitness journalist Fiona McAuslan.
The modern office is a bright, spacious and engaging place to be.
This wasn’t always the case. Active takes a look back at what’s influenced Office Design
over time.
In all of the fuss and confusion of organising a corporate
relocation, it is easy to forget one of the simplest and most important tasks – letting your
customers know.
Biophilic office design, thecreation of a natural environment within
the workplace, has taken the office interior industry by storm. With a growing number of
companies incorporating natural elements into the workplace - biophilic design can be seen
everywhere!
An office relocation can be a stressful time, but there is plenty you
can do as a Facilities Manager to minimise the impact on the business, on yourself, and on
staff. Check out Active’s top tips on how to keep things running smoothly for a stress-free
experience!
Are you considering an office move, but have no idea where to start?
Well then this is the guide for you! Active discusses the key things you must consider when
planning an office relocation.