If your workspace is becoming tired and dated and no longer fitting the needs of your organisation, it is time to modernise it. Thames are experts in office refurbishment and design and build projects of all sizes, including installation of office glass walls for London workplaces.
If you ask us to quote for refurbishing your offices, we will start by visiting your premises, and looking in detail at your current layout and facilities. We will discuss with you how your needs have changed since office was laid out and also consider any further changes projected for the next few years. For instance, we will look at whether you are expecting a particular department to grow or shrink further, or if you are introducing more flexible or collaborative working.
Office space planning involves taking all these priorities on board and creating a tailor-made design. We will create computerised visuals to generate plans and at the same time give a detailed quotation. Once the design has been agreed, we will agree a timescale with you.
Elements of a modern office design might include:
Open and ‘Broken’ Plan – Open plan design has remained hugely popular in offices, because it looks modern and uses space to the maximum. However, in domestic interiors there has recently been a trend towards “broken” plan, which involves building in private areas where people can use mobile devices. The same idea also applies to offices, where there is a need for private areas within larger areas of open workspace so that people can carry out work in quiet.
This mix of open areas and smaller offices or alcoves can be achieved by using glass office partitioning or walls. Partitions can also be used within areas where people are working close together to give greater sound privacy and minimise distraction.
Modern Desk Layouts – Large and heavy older-style desks are now no longer necessary in many offices, since computer workstations have become much lighter and take up less space than in the past. This means many organisations are considering changing to smaller desks which enable more staff to be comfortably seated in the same space.
There is also a growing trend for bench desks, with another option being shared desks in a collaborative area in addition to smaller individual workstations. Standing desks may also be included in some offices, as there is increasing evidence that it can be healthy for staff to spend some time standing during the working day.
When arranging desks to fit in more staff, you need to bear in mind that there are various standards governing space between workstations, including fire safety, health and safety and disabled access regulations. Thames has detailed knowledge of all relevant regulations and will ensure full compliance.
Technology and Storage Solutions – The needs for both of these have changed rapidly due to the growth of digital and cloud storage. Companies and organisations tend to need more digital connections, together with more charging points for mobile media, and fewer traditional filing cabinets. However, many companies still have records and archives that need to be stored on paper.
We will advise you on building in technological capacity which will meet your current needs and allow for expansion in the future, and we can also suggest modern storage solutions to use space efficiently, such as incorporating storage walls within your new office design.
Redesigning Reception and Breakout Areas – In many modern offices, the culture has become more informal than in the past. This affects requirements for reception areas, which may need to be made more welcoming. For instance, if people are going to linger in this area, soft furniture and warm colours can help to give a relaxed feeling.
However, the reception area still needs to make a strong impression about the personality of your company and brand and to create a professional image. A bespoke front desk can serve as the centrepiece of this, with opportunities to incorporate branding within the design. The desk must also be practical and have enough storage space for staff who work there.
Breakout areas or “touchdown space”, where people can sit and use mobile devices while enjoying a coffee, may be sited near to the reception area in some types of office buildings, such as collaborative workspace centres. Here you may want to use bright colours, together with neutrals and contemporary furniture designs, giving a vibrant atmosphere and encouraging people to stay for a short time.
At Thames Contracts, we keep a close eye on trends in office interior design and can suggest modern solutions for using your workspace to the maximum. Before embarking on an office refurbishment, we will look at your company and your priorities, and create a design which is specifically geared to the type of work you do. We will also build in future-proofing so that it is easy to adapt your design if your requirements change again in the years ahead. We carry out projects across London and Hertfordshire, in areas including Enfield, Hatfield, Stevenage, Hertford and Borehamwood, and regularly receive repeat business and recommendations from our clients.
Office Refurbishment London – Click for information on our expert services, including installation of office glass walls.
