How We’re Creating Office Fit Out In The New Normal

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. As a major component of how they work, the design of their offices is something that many have been looking to change – whether to incorporate facilities that allow for agile working or just to simply give the place a new look and feel.

As one of the UK's premier office fit out companies, the team here at Active have been assisting clients throughout the pandemic – from making small changes to allow people back to work under new regulations, right through to reimagining whole workplaces.

As an example of this, we are going to talk about a project we did for 4Most Credit Risk Consultancy – seeking a refresh of their working environment to get the best out of their employees, we were only too happy to help them realise their ideal office interiors.

Our Office Fit Out Project For 4Most Credit Risk Consultancy

Who was the client?

Based in Finsbury Circus, London, 4MostCredit Risk Consultancy are the UK's largest credit risk consultancy,representing one of Europe's fastest-growing businesses. They felt that their workplace needed a 'modern refresh' to better reflect their brand, underliningtheir status as a leading service in their field.

As their mission statementis based around '[our] people are our biggest asset', the company recognisedthe importance of employee experience in the workplace, so their views would bekey in creating a new design. 4Most eventually decided that a relocation and arevamp of the space would provide their staff with a fresh atmosphere andcollaborative working environment. This was when they approached the expert officefit out team here at Active.

What was the project brief?

4Mosthad a strict deadline due to the lease expiring on their existing offices, which presented unique challenges as Coronavirus restrictions were still in place. Their original space was to be handed back to the landlord, so aside from the full relocation of staff and furniture to their new office, a complete dilapidation/stripping back of the existing interiors was also required.

With the employee experience being the heart of their new design, the brief was to create a comfortable, relaxed, and motivating workplace where colleagues could gather for social events and unwind away from their desks.

Our 'Active Solution'

With strategic space planning, we removed the existing meeting rooms to convert the somewhat enclosed office into an open plan space to allow for more mingling and collaboration amongst the staff.

Working closely with the 4Most's branding guidelines and style, we went for a big and bold option for the wall paint, utilising geometric colour blocking and tropical wallpaper to add a twist to the conventional office environment. We worked with the existing desk set-up and added a few warmer touches to the space, such as soft seating, accessories and artwork to create a more homely atmosphere, as well as inject a bit of the company's personality into the workplace.

To hit the comfortable and relaxed portion of the brief, we integrated a social space into the planned tea point, including bright and bold furnishings, ornaments and a flexible shuffleboard game to bring energy and vibrancy into the office.

To summarise, the office fit out works included:

Reconfiguration of the existing office space to create a more collaborative environment.
Re-design of the kitchen point.
Mechanical, electrical, data, and air conditioning works to suit the new layout.
New updated lighting throughout.
Exposed metal floor tiles.
Specify and install new furniture.
Decorating to complement and enhance the exposed feature beams.
Relocation of staff and furniture from their existing offices and complete dilapidations of their existing office ready to hand back to the landlord.

We are pleased to say that the client was delighted with their new office fit out – the changes we have implemented will allow them to provide their employees with everything they need to create their ideal working environment.

If your business is looking to start the 'new normal' in the same manner, why not consider getting in touch with us today for some expert advice?

Are You Our Next Office Build Client?

For over two decades, our team have been designing and building workplaces for a wide variety of businesses. No matter their industry or personal requirements, we have built up a strong portfolio of office design, relocation, furniture procurement and storage solutions – the whole package. Why not take a look for yourself to see how they match your own ideas?

To learn more about how our team can create your ideal post-COVID office fit out, feel free to get in touch with us today. Give us a call on 0845 130 9066 or send an e-mail to info@activeworkplacesolutions.co.uk and we'll be in touch as soon as we can.