Government Agency, Hastings

Flexiform completes another office fit-out for a Hastings-based Government Agency. During the office furniture installation, Flexiform provided a wide range of services including; management of existing furniture, space planning, office design, and installation. The Hastings office install took place during the global Covid-19 pandemic, Flexiform’s dedicated project management team ensured all Government guidelines were followed throughout the project. The Government Agency had a range of existing furniture they wanted to repurpose within the office fit-out in order to reduce costs but more importantly from a sustainability point of view.

Office refurbishment

The Flexiform site survey team created a life inventory list of current assets, assessed the condition of all existing products, appropriately highlighting products to be refurbished, renewed or reused. Some 16 tonnes of office furniture that were not suitable for repurposing were environmentally recycled and disposed of where necessary. The final list of repurposed furniture was shared with our in-house space planning and design department, allowing our in-house team to design in (repurpose) existing products, ultimately maximising budgets and reducing waste.

Project Data

CLIENT : Government Agency.
LOCATION : Hastings.
PROJECT LEAD : Rafal Debski.
PRODUCTS : Tambour storage cabinets, Freestor office lockers, Encompass meeting pods, One-Shot dining chairs, Additions pedestal base table, Bench tables, Banquette seating, Additions 2 meeting tables, Modular sofas, X range coffee tables, Encompass telephone booths, Jot-Up height-adjustable stool, Miss stools, collaborative tables, mobile work chairs, sound deadening office partitioning, Pico office desk with height adjustable tops, task chair.
WORKSPACES : Canteen & smart working office space.
SERVICES : Removal and recycling of existing furniture, Relocation of furniture from other offices, Crate hire, Refurbishment and upcycling of existing furniture, Bespoke furniture, Space Planning, Office Interior Design, Manufacture, supply and install of contract furniture.

Space Planning and Design

During the planning process, the Government Agency utilised our in-house interior design and space planning services to help them to realise their vision and transform their existing site into a smart working office.

Assessing the space and needs of each department our designers provided a holistic solution advising on product selection, layout, fabrics and finishes, ensuring all office spaces complied with the latest regulations. Throughout the design process, we worked closely with the client, providing safe / best working practice layout options and advice for returning to the office during and after the pandemic. Our design teams provided 2D, 3D plans and visuals to help the client fully understand the new space and design options, providing them with an insight into the look and feel of the office before work began. The final office layout worked harmoniously with their new way of working, whilst providing a safe, innovative space for staff to return.

Smart Working Office Design

Within a smart working office, the staff move throughout the workspaces to suit their task. To facilitate this, we provided a range of personal lockers to help staff securely store away their belongings, only taking what they need. The Freestor metal lockers we’re finished in a bespoke colour pallet designed to suit the space and needs of the staff. This smart working office was created using multi-purpose workspaces including semi-enclosed and enclosed meeting areas, collaborative areas, informal meeting/ chat, breakout areas, solo working and quiet working.

Our design team used our range of office meeting pods and telephone booths to provide private meeting spaces with power and data, with accompanying freestanding visitors chairs and tables. The matching telephone booths were fitted with our Jot-Up height-adjustable stools, providing a comfortable and private solo workspace whether for a quick chat or space to focus.

A range of wooden work tables with task lighting, work chairs and our Pico office desk with task chairs were installed for staff to focus. The Pico bench desks were fitted with a hand crank (manual) height adjustable kit to help staff to maximise comfort as these spaces were more likely to be used for longer periods of time.

A large range of collaboration spaces was installed to create multiple meeting points for various sized groups, whether they are having informal meetings and chats, thought showers, presentations or catch-ups. These included more informal settings such as a U-shaped modular sofa with X-range coffee tables, a high bench and a bank of Freestor tambour storage with oversailing tops with Miss upholstered high stools and a more formal setting with Additions 2 meeting table featuring cable management and chrome legs. These varying workspaces give staff options to where they meet, how they communicate and what tone they want the meeting to have.

To complete the office facilities, a breakout area/canteen was installed featuring a range of traditional bistro tables and chairs, banquette seating, sofas with power modules and high benches and stools. This provides a space for staff to relax and recuperate, but it also provides additional informal meeting spaces for staff to work when it’s not used during peak break times, making maximum use of the office. Together, Flexiform installed a smart working office environment that’s to the client’s satisfaction and meets the needs of the staff.