workplace
why fuse? A hands-on approach with Director involvement from start to finish of every project The world has changed since the global financial crisis of 2007/8 and Clients are looking for consultants whose principals are genuinely hands-on. They need designers to be able to react quickly and want their design fees to pay for high quality service, not huge overheads. Fuse was established in 2010 to meet those needs: with studios in Manchester and Leeds providing a balanced skill set of Interior Design and Architecture expertise. Led by four Directors, with a combined experience of over 70 years in the industry, they previously managed teams within one of the UK’s largest design consultancies. As such, the Directors have proven experience delivering across most market sectors: from small, beautifully-crafted restaurant projects, to new corporate headquarters or the designing of large regenerative masterplans. At Fuse we are committed to providing exemplary Client service and one of our Directors Simon Clarke, Mike Harris, David Matthews and Scott Ryalls is involved on every project, from concept to completion. Working with Clients in multiple time zones over many years has taught us that always being available is one of the most valuable services we can provide to a Client.
In construction, delays cost money and when we claim to be “an agile and responsive team,” we mean to be just that. We strongly believe in working collaboratively and positively with our Clients and we know how to successfully manage design teams to deliver within cost and time parameters. We also take our commitment to the environment seriously. Our team has been working on BREEAM Excellent rated buildings since the 1990’s and our interiors projects have won praise for their practical application of sustainability principles. Fuse holds joint accreditation under ISO:9001 and ISO:14001, Quality Assurance and Environmental Management systems respectively.
who we are A small design studio providing huge experience with enthusiasm and genuine expertise Fuse has the skills and experience to look after any part of your project. Whether it is the refurbishment of existing office space or the roll-out of an established restaurant brand, the team has all the necessary experience to ensure success. We work for global players Hard Rock International and SMG Europe, for UK developers such as ASK Developments and Commercial Estates Group and for institutions like the University of Leeds. We provide the experience of designing and delivering projects in the UK, Middle East, USA and across Continental Europe.
Green indicates countries where projects have been designed by one of the Fuse directors
large or small From modest reception refurbishments to substantial new office developments… The unique structure of Fuse means that it is possible for us to provide the same outstanding levels of service and design to all our workplace projects – irrespective of size, whether refurbishment or new build, whether interiors or architecture – or both. Our team boasts equal levels of skill and experience in architecture and interior design and has a long history of hugely varied but consistently successful office projects, for an enviable list of blue chip Clients. Fuse Clients in the workplace sector include the following:
• Ask Developments • Carat • GE Capital • Commercial Estates Group • NG Bailey • Overbury • Punter Southall • ghd • Jet 2 • Generate Land • MEPC • The Office Group Our designers have won no less than 3 coveted British Council of Offices Awards including the National Best Project of the Year, plus Mixology Commercial Project of the Year and Design Practice of the Year (whilst at careyjones.)
what we do
Our skills and experience cover the full spectrum of workplace design A Comprehensive Range of Services Collectively, the Fuse team has over a century of experience working in the workplace sector and has acted for developers, landlords and occupiers on projects ranging from refurbished listed buildings to cutting edge new developments. Here are examples of the services offered by Fuse:
Creative interiors
Many of our most successful projects have been fit-outs of Category A office space for new occupiers and we have won a string of awards for the design of stunning but cost-effective fitouts
New Build Developments Whether stand-alone developments or workplace buildings as part of larger mixed-use developments, the Fuse team has a wealth of experience to bring to bear.
Business Parks Our combined approach of Interiors and Architecture ensures that projects are designed form the outset incorporating future tenant demands and end user requirements.
Floorplate Testing We do a huge amount of floorplate testing – as part of building design development and to help landlords demonstrate to potential tenants that their building can meet their needs.
Refresh and Upgrade Common area upgrades help to retain existing tenants and attract new ones. As such, they are extremely cost-effective and we normally have several such projects ongoing at any one time.
Branding Our designers have a particular talent for expressing the personality of the client into his interior design. Most of our award-winning interiors have a strong element of branding at their core.
Sustainability At Fuse, sustainability is at the top of our agenda whether we are master planning a site, designing a new building, creating a new interior or carrying out a refurbishment of an existing building.
Many of our most successful projects have been fit-outs of Category A office space for new occupiers and we have won a string of awards for the design of stunning but costeffective schemes. Our working environments have changed dramatically in the last few years: so has the way we design them. Every Fuse project has a dedicated team comprising of sector specialists and ‘non workplace’ designers. This approach ensures the delivery of a creative and inspirational environment that works. At Fuse we believe that every workplace must be a representation of not only our Clients needs but embody its ethos and be true to its brand.
creative interiors
new build
Our approach to the design of new office buildings is to get the basics right first. We aim to drive a building’s efficiency by maximising the building’s net to gross ratio and thereby increasing the developer’s return on investment. We strive to design offices that provide inherent flexibility, to suit future ways of working. We also deliver designs with sustainability high up the agenda, creating attractive buildings, with low-running costs for future tenants. Our office buildings are also about placemaking and often form part of a wider development framework. Working together, our experienced architects and interior designers develop workplace design solutions that will stand the test of time and satisfy future tenant demand.
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developments
The principals at Fuse have been responsible for leading the design of a number of business parks across the UK. Our combined approach of Architecture and interiors ensures that projects are designed from the outset to incorporate likely tenant demands and end user requirements. Offering the latest in workplace solutions with a thorough understanding of site infrastructure, sustainable design and the economics of development allows Fuse to offer sound advice from the projects outset. It is at the conception of a business park when the initial decisions have the greatest economic bearing on projects that experience counts.
business parks
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Floorplate testing is a vital part of the design development process in the successful delivery of a new workplace building. At Fuse, our balance of architectural and interior design skills means that we are uniquely well placed to carry out this process with genuine insight. We also test floorplates for occupiers, either as part of a wider due diligence process or as a stand-alone exercise allowing clients to make informed decisions about the suitability of a potential business location.
Typical office levels
floorplate testing Ground floor layout
refresh & upgrade Fuse is working on a growing portfolio of existing building projects where we are employed to achieve maximum impact from a limited budget. In some cases, we are asked to refresh the public areas of a building to attract new tenants or retain existing occupiers. In others, we are asked to upgrade tenanted areas to improve efficiency and create a fresh new image for a business. In either case, we identify the areas where the existing spaces are under-performing and then look for cost-effective and creative solutions that deliver a genuine transformation in the visual impact and operational efficiency of the workplace.
Branding... From small, bespoke reception areas which create a more inviting entrance, through transformations and spectacular new environments that embody the end-user’s brand, Fuse has the expertise to create spaces which express corporate personalities. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than at the now world-famous ghd Headquarters at Bridgewater Place in Leeds. This multiple award winning project has been featured in interior design books and magazines as far afield as Russia and China. Scott Ryalls led the team that designed and delivered this stunning interior. From its iconic entrance tunnel to the chandeliers that adorn the open plan office floor, this workplace positively exudes the Client’s brand.
© Copyright careyjones
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2009
In a tough rental market, standing out from the crowd and attracting tenants is key. Landlords are having to work hard financially to put deals to occupiers, who in turn are demanding more for their money.
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Tired and out-dated space will not provide building owners with the competitive edge they require. Re-positioning buildings through thoughtful intervention can transform market perception and if done correctly, can be delivered quickly and economically to assist securing new tenants and retain existing occupiers.
re-position
sustainability At Fuse sustainability is at the top of our agenda; whether we are masterplanning a site, designing a new building, creating a new interior or carrying out a refurbishment of an existing building.
Fuse carry joint accreditation under ISO:14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO:9001 (Quality Assurance). Sustainability is, and always will be at the heart of what we do.
Natural ventilation to workshops through north lights
North light roof pitch optimal for roof mounted PV Panels
Extracted air through atrium
Classroom depth minimised to ensure good day lighting levels
Site Analysis Environmental strategy
Maximise natural daylight
Deep reveal to faรงade for solar shading
New landscaping to provide natural shading Natural ventilation to workshops via operable facade
It is all about getting the basic principles right from the outset. On new build projects we start with the building orientation, then the design of the faรงade itself to ensure together they can minimize energy loss. Elements such as shading, air leakage, glazing specification, lighting and thermal insulation contribute to the performance of the building envelope. The building energy profile is then reviewed to investigate renewable sources wherever appropriate and feasible. The same is true of our interiors projects. We never throw away a Cat A fit-out. Wherever we can, we specify renewable materials that are available as close to the site as possible, from environmentally accredited suppliers. We re-use furniture and materials where practical and we specify low energy lighting and efficient control systems. It sounds like commonsense and it is.
the principals David Matthews Director david.matthews@fuse-studios.com mob +44(0)7791760814 David has designed a number of award-winning office buildings during his career; often drawing inspiration from his work in other sectors to provide his Clients with ideas which are “outside of the box”. Obvious examples of this very successful approach include the BCO Regional and National awardwinning Northern Foods HQ and the stunning office for Hewlett Group at Thorpe Park in Leeds.
Scott Ryalls
Simon Clarke
Director mike.harris@fuse-studios.com mob +44(0)7771666032
Director scott.ryalls@fuse-studios.com mob +44(0)7791751490
Director simon.clarke@fuse-studios.com mob +44(0)7881508516
Mike studied architecture in Leeds and after spells of working in London and Vancouver, he qualified as an architect in 1995. Mike has been responsible for the successful design and delivery of several office projects. Included within his portfolio are offices for Opus Land, Langtree, Clarence Dock Development Company and Centreland. He has also designed offices for the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield.
Scott has worked across most market sectors but has developed a particular expertise in the field of corporate office interiors. In addition to the design and delivery of celebrated workplace schemes such as the multi-award-winning headquarters for cult hair beauty brand ghd, Scott has also developed industry leading skills in the repositioning of existing buildings to express the occupier’s brand personality.
Simon has established himself within the industry as a very strong designer and a champion of sustainable design. He also has a reputation for delivering stunning office buildings, often within very modest budgets and challenging timeframes. Highlights within his portfolio include Knowsley Place, Bury for Ask and several business park offices for MBDA in Stevenage and for GMI at Thorpe Park.
Mike Harris
Fuse Studios Limited: Calls Wharf, 2 The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7JU and Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BH.
www.fuse-studios.com