Mix Interiors 190 - January 2019

Mix Interiors 190

January 2019

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INSIDE

37 74

48 CASE STUDY – MIX GROUP

We don' t have to travel far for this latest case study review – in fact we don' t have to travel at all. Take a look at the fabulous new inner sanctum of Mix Interiors.

66 UPFRONT 8

PRE VIE W 72

Seven 20 Material Matters 24 Deser t Island Desks 26 Proper t y Matters 28

Sur face Design Show 72

SPOTLIGHT 37 Big Question 39 Pause for Thought 4 0

CASE ST UDIES 48 Mix Group HQ, Manchester 48

ROUNDTABLE 66

96

RE VIE W 74 Mix Design Collective 74 Mixology Nor th 88 Mixology Nor th Project Review 96

L AST WORD 104 Criteo's Head of Workplace E xperience, Mike Walley

28

76 Mix 190 January 2019 | 1

Upfront | Welcome

A WORD FROM MICK THE COVER The logo What is the future’? It is inevitably the combination of the digital and the physical as more and more of our lives open up to augmented reality. How technology is incorporated into interior environments is yet to be seen, but it will happen more and more.

Designed by Simon Bird/Luciano Ingenito. www.lom-architecture.com

While walking into Mix HQ (from the centre of Manchester, across the river and out to the transformed Greengate district) I started thinking about a recent conversation I had with my dad.

My mum and dad both hailed from t'North and worked in central Manchester for years. ‘I wouldn’t recognise the place now,’ dad mused. He’s not wrong. Such is the level and rate of redevelopment here that I hardly recognise it month-on-month.

The most dramatic transformation, of course, is the skyline, with new apartment and mixed development towers now dwarfing our little old building. There is, however, another interesting transformation – and one that suddenly appears magnified as I walk towards Greengate on this crisp, sunny (bloomin’ freezing!) morning.

Only a matter of months ago, I would take this same route, cross the river and, over the next

couple of minutes, pass maybe 20 people. These 20 all looked the same; dispirited, grey and tired, even though the working day hadn’t yet begun.

Today, that number is in excess of 100 – and there’s nothing tired or grey about these smiling, chattering (mainly) millennials! The clothing is certainly not grey – there’s colour everywhere, from clothes through to hair, while there are also a lot of hipster beards and piercings. Almost everyone looks as though they’re looking forward to their day.

It lifts the spirits.

For some reason, when people now talk about gentrification (especially in London), they do so with a slight sneer and more than a hint of irony in their voices. Well, you get the feeling that this ‘movement' here in Manchester might be happening all around the city – and if this is ‘gentrification’ then I’ll raise my real ale to it!

The image 'Cage' came about from one simple principle – make a storage system that’s infinitely flexible, but solid as a rock. Hand-finished steel cubes can host any combination of shelves, boxes and insets in a myriad of custom colours. Finally, a stylish way to get all that ‘stuff’ in order. Courtesy of Rawside.

GET IN TOUCH Editor Mick Jordan mick@wearemixgroup.com Sales director Gary Williams gary@wearemixgroup.com

BACK ISSUES Contact us to buy back issues: tamzin@wearemixgroup.com

Director David Smalley david@wearemixgroup.com Designer Tammi Bell tamzin@wearemixgroup.com

Contributors Steve Gale David Thame Mike Walley Address Mix Media Limited 2 Abito 85 Greengate Manchester M3 7NA Telephone 0161 946 6262

Group managing director Marcie Incarico marcie@wearemixgroup.com

e-mail editorial@wearemixgroup.com

Group director Catherine Godsland catherine@wearemixgroup.com

Website www.mixinteriors.com

Founding publisher Henry Pugh

Twitter @mixinteriors Instagram @mix.interiors

2 | Mix 190 January 2019

GET YOUR OWN! To ensure that a regular copy of Mix Interiors reaches you, please call 0161 946 6262 or e-mail: tamzin@wearemixgroup.com Annual subscription charges UK single £45.50 Europe £135 (airmail) Outside Europe £165 (airmail)

Printed by S&G Print ISSN 1757-2371

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Upfront |

BRISTOL’S NEWEST COWORKING SPACE Already boasting a number of London-based coworking spaces, the Runway East team was keen to add a South West location to the fast-growing portfolio. With a mix of existing firms and fast-growing start-ups, Bristol's vibrant business community was the perfect location for this new venture.

Believing that companies can truly take off when they work side-by-side, each of Runway East’s spaces (or runways) are specifically created to inject energy, fun and collaboration into their members’ work. The client partnered with Bath-based office design and fit-out specialist, Interaction, following the acquisition of a

prominent 29,903 sq ft harbourside location at 1 Victoria Street.

After nine weeks on site, each of the four floors at Victoria Street has been finished with an individual tea point, choice of offices and glass partitioning.

Key features across the space include a roof terrace, Runway Eats (a vibrant café hub) and design quirks such as palette desks and walling. Overall, the space perfectly embodies the modern, creative and fun nature of the Runway East brand.

Commenting on working with Interaction, Spike O’Connell, Expansion Manager at Runway East, said: ‘We’re thrilled that we chose to work

with Interaction for the design and fit-out of our Bristol coworking space – so much so that we’ve asked them to fit out further spaces in our growing portfolio. It’s certainly the start of a great collaborative partnership'.w

NEW CHAIR FOR THE BCFA

WHERE’S YOUR HEAD AT? Coworking specialist Headspace Group has opened a new 12,000 sq ft space in Birmingham – its fourth site overall and first foray into the Midlands.

Located on Temple Street in the heart of Birmingham city centre, Somerset House is the latest expansive move for Headspace, which has spaces in Manchester, London’s Farringdon and Marylebone and is soon to launch in Belfast. A leading provider of work and event space for the UK’s tech, media and creative communities, Headspace counts an array of businesses – from start-ups to tech unicorns and PLCs – amongst its membership base.

The boutique operator has created ‘an environment where local businesses can thrive in a beautiful, community-driven space with total flexibility’. The Birmingham site comprises a mix of uniquely designed private offices and coworking spaces, a roof terrace overlooking the city and a dedicated on-site team responsible for curating social and business events for members, ranging from panel discussions and workshops to social events and indoor golf tournaments utilising Somerset House’s very own GolfZon golf simulator. Nice.w

8 | Mix 190 January 2019

Lee Marvin, the Group Managing Director of Lugo Group Europe, has been elected as the new Chair of the BCFA at the association’s AGM. Lee has taken over the Chair from Milan Cvetkovic, who has held the seat for the last four years and who guided the BCFA through a period of change and growth.

Lee has personally been involved in a range of BCFA initiatives over many years with previous companies, and all three of his LGE companies have been members of the BCFA for 12 years. Lee was elected as Vice Chairman of the BCFA Board during 2017.

Having worked in numerous senior management and directorship roles for leading UK and US manufacturers of contract quality wallcoverings, textiles and furniture for over 25 years, Lee is currently Group Managing Director and founder of Lugo Group Europe, a Midlandsbased group of three specialist companies

(namely Lugo Hotel Furniture, Furnotel Hotel Bedroom Furniture, and Chrysalis Hotel and Leisure Refurbishment). Two of the companies design, manufacture and install contract furniture specifically for the hotel sector, while the third company offers a full-service construction and fit-out service to its hospitality clients.w

JAPANESE INSPIRED WORKSPACE FOR NTT DATA Resonate Interiors has completed and delivered 24,000 sq ft workplace interior space for fast-growing IT business, NTT, at Epworth House, Old Street.

NTT Data is a Top 10 global business and IT service provider with more than 100,000 professionals in over 50 countries, with a Japanese heritage.

NTT data had made the decision to consolidate two parts of the business together under one roof, from Curtain Road and Royal Exchange. They required a design firm who could deliver a creative, innovative and potentially award-winning space.

It was vital that they were left with a flexible and adaptable office that would showcase NTT data as well as attract and retain the best talent. The client also required an office that would be sustainable and promote the wellbeing of their employees while using technology.

It was also crucial that the re-design at Epworth House should reflect the well-established NTT

brand and allowed for staff to collaborate effectively and intelligently.

The brief to Resonate highlighted the importance of collaboration between teams and its business, and the interior design and space played a fundamental role in allowing for smart ways of working. A combination of spaces were also required to promote innovation and for staff to enjoy, as well as intelligent space and desk booking, hoteling and management systems. The client and Resonate Interiors also agreed that it was advantageous to leverage the capability of ‘multiple business units under one roof’ in a vibrant and tech focused part of London, therefore technology was incorporated into the design to showcase what NTT are about.w

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Upfront |

INTERFACE GOES NATIVE

MAKING WAVES: SHEILA BIRD GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW PLACEMAKING PARTNERSHIP Interior design firm, Sheila Bird, has announced a partnership with Neighbourhood Co-Founder Jon Humphreys to strengthen its growing place branding offer.

Sheila Bird founder, Atul Bansal, told us: ‘Jon is a hugely talented creative director and I am absolutely delighted to welcome him on board. We have known each other since the early days of Neighbourhood and have always shared the same passion for placemaking and creative disruption. Watch out, we are really going to make some noise together.

‘Places aren’t just about physical environments anymore, they are about identity, culture, technology, how we consume space and foster a sense of belonging and community. Working with Jon helps us push our holistic approach to modern placemaking to the next level.’

‘It’s great fun working with Atul and the team,’ Jon enthused. ‘Sheila Bird lives its motto of ‘Love

What You Do’ to the max and it shines through in the energy and creativity of the team’s work. We are already working our magic together on some amazing projects in the North West, including exciting creative workplace projects in the Knowledge Quarter, Liverpool and Circle Square on Oxford Road, Manchester.

‘The projects we are developing to enliven the places in the city complements my work with Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region to develop their city brand narratives.

'Being able to join the dots between space design, branding and marketing allows us to create really powerful and compelling brand stories for our clients.’

Sheila Bird is currently working with high profile organisations such as Bruntwood, Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, Missguided, Ladbible and Social Chain.w

NEXT GENERATION 5G mobile technology could mean denser, smaller workplaces and lower demand for new modern floorspace, the head of development at one of the world’s largest investment managers has warned.

5G (standing for fifth generation mobile technology) is expected to mean faster data connections with less risk of drop-outs, and is expected to mean a revolution in the modern workplace when it is introduced later this year.

Harry Badham, Head of UK Development at AXA Real Estate, part of the global AXA empire, told Mix: ‘The immediate result will be more cloud computing, less desk phones, less heatproducing technology in the office, therefore less air conditioning, less big desks for all the big technology to sit on. This adds up to a leaner, cleaner office.’

He also expects 5G to change the way office properties are managed through ‘smart office’ facilities management. ‘I think 5G is going to mean better-managed offices, but also things like the shape of floorplates may change. Today it

Interface has introduced its new global luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collection, Native Fabric, expanding its modular resilient flooring offerings. Native Fabric offers a modern take on the timeless grass cloth design in a variety of shades infused with a woven metallic threading. The collection has eight unique colours, which can stand alone or pair with past Interface modular carpet in a multitude of settings, including corporate office, hospitality and education.

Native Fabric’s original artwork design conjures the look of traditional cloth made from woven sea grass strands and thin cotton thread, while also delivering the performance benefits of Interface LVT. Architects, designers, flooring dealers and end user customers can install Interface’s modular system of LVT and carpet side-by-side, without transition strips.

Interface’s Sound Choice proprietary backing lowers vertical sound transfer floor to floor, making it ideal for environments where sound is a key consideration.

The collection marks the first woven LVT product designed in-house by Interface and is made to emulate depth, movement and softness. w

ANOTHER WIN FOR LEEDS depends on cabling, but in the future it might be determined by more human factors and less by the need for fixed wire phone and cable outlets to every workstation. The result will be much denser offices because workstations won’t have to be 1.5 metre desks. We can create different environments.’

Read the full story on page 28.w

WiredScore, the property connectivity ratings agency, is mulling an expansion into Leeds after the city won the competition to provide Channel 4 with a new national headquarters.

WiredScore, which already operates in Manchester, London and Birmingham and rates buildings for their digital and telecoms connectivity around the country, is attracted by Leeds’ growing digital and tech sector occupier profile Leeds was selected for the 30,000 sq ft national HQ after beating heavily-fancied rival bids from Birmingham and Manchester.

‘We haven’t any firm plans yet for other markets, although we are looking at Leeds – it looks really exciting after Channel 4 announced their plans to relocate their HQ to the city. Leeds is really an unsung hero,’ says WiredScore President and European Managing Director William Newton.

WiredScore expects to certify another 3040 million sq ft in the immediate future as landlords and developers seek the assurance that certification brings. Within five years they expect to dominate most of the UK’s larger urban areas as they do London (where coverage is about 40%).w

Mix 190 January 2019 | 11

Upfront |

BRUNTWOOD LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE

KI CHAIRS SELECTED BY NEW CITY COLLEGE The historic Arbour Square campus, part of New City College – London’s second largest college – has been refurbished with bright, colour co-ordinated floors. Located in Tower Hamlets in the heart of London’s East End, the updated facilities provide a flexible and engaging learning environment for some of the institution’s 25,000 students.

The Arbour Square campus is home to New City College’s prestigious Attlee A Level Academy, its 14-16 year-old students and some of its adult English language groups.

The dynamic, multipurpose new learning environment is equipped with technology and movable furniture to facilitate easy reconfiguration for numerous lesson styles. KI’s Postura+ chairs in Grape Crush and Jet Black have been an ideal addition to these environments as they are stackable and highly robust, ensuring students will benefit from comfortable ergonomic seating for many years to come. The colours were selected in order to assist with wayfinding around the large campus.

Stella Doouss of Four Square Furniture comments: ‘New City College required a strong, robust chair available in a range of colours.

Postura+ chairs are proven to provide the longevity that the college required, whilst the range of 16 standard colours readily allowed them to colour code each floor of the building. The colours of the chairs have been matched with other interior details to create a fantastic, uplifting space for the college’s diverse community.’w

12 | Mix 190 January 2019

Bruntwood, the family-owned, Manchester based, property company, has launched ‘Made & Managed’, enabling companies to benefit from a ‘design now, pay later’ approach to designing and creating bespoke offices.

Building on Bruntwood’s experience in offering a wide range of flexible office spaces and inspirational environments, Made & Managed is an innovative new concept that allows customers to absorb design and fit-out costs into their monthly bill, meaning no upfront costs.

Andrew Butterworth, Commercial Director, explains: ‘Innovative, inspirational and fun interiors tailored to reflect a business's personality and culture are on the up.

‘As Millennials and Generation Z gather influence in the workplace, savvy employers are increasingly recognising the need to exceed their expectations by providing truly inspirational work environments that will act as talent magnets and boost happiness, productivity and wellbeing to boot. Style is increasingly having an impact on the substance of a business.

‘For this reason, companies of all sizes are increasingly seeing the value of tailor-made

DAF TRUCKS OPENS NEW £20M UK HQ After nearly 30 years in the same building, DAF Trucks have opened a new £20m state-of-theart headquarters and training facility. Located in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, the 50,000 sq ft building will house almost 200 people, along with a world-class technical training school, a contemporary auditorium and an impressive entrance atrium designed to accommodate a DAF six-wheel tractor unit.

The investment in the workplace was described

by Robin Easton, Managing Director of DAF Trucks, as ‘a demonstration of the commitment to further strengthen DAF’s leading position in the UK market’.

Award-winning office design company, Oktra, and Maze Workplace completed the internal works and construction phases with Francis Hunter overseeing the project management of the development.

Internally, the space is a mix of private offices and open plan sit/stand workstations and houses a stateof-the-art four-bay workshop offering best-in-class training facilities for employees and DAF UK dealers.

workspaces that act as a key differentiator from the competition. However, carefully curating an office space that reflects your brand takes time, money and effort. We are seeing many of our customers turning to us to help them create a space that makes ‘who they are’ part of the fabric of their workspace and add that all-important ‘wow’ factor.

They’ve been amazed at how quickly we can get their office up and running after the transformation too – thanks to our in-house experts and partners.

We are also seeing increasing demand for us to take away the ongoing hassle of managing the space so they can focus on running their business.’

Made & Managed will be available in Manchester, Cheshire, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham. Bruntwood has already responded to bespoke briefs from Microsoft, creating a cuttingedge office at Neo, in Manchester city centre, MoneySuperMarket, who launched their new Manchester office at 57 Spring Gardens, and Ascot Lloyd, a leading UK independent financial adviser, at Platform in Leeds. AO World also recently used Bruntwood’s flexible offering to house staff whilst a new state-of-the-art digital hub for 220 staff was developed at Riverside in Manchester.w The design philosophy takes its lead from DAF’s parent company, PACCAR. David Bishop, Senior Designer at Oktra, says: ‘We worked alongside Maze Workplace to develop the design, covering various complex areas throughout the scheme.

From a technical perspective this project required detailed co-ordination and diligence to realise the design brief.’

‘DAF has been the UK market leader for 23 consecutive years,’ says Robin Easton. ‘With this excellent facility, its dedicated staff and our tremendous truck manufacturing facility in Leyland, I am confident we will further expand this strong position in the United Kingdom.’ w

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Upfront |

IMPORTANCE OF WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR MENTAL WELLBEING UNDERLINED ON NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY To mark the 20th anniversary of National Stress Awareness Day on Wednesday 7th November, Milliken hosted a practical session for designers and architects.

In the fourth of their series of wellbeing events, the leading flooring manufacturer invited Neil Shah (Founder and Director of the Stress Management Society and best-selling author) to run an ‘excelling under pressure’ workshop.

Interior designers and architects are known to be amongst the most stressed workers, with tight deadlines, financial pressure and an ultra-competitive environment.

Nearly 90% of the 447 respondents said they had had to work through the night at some point. Almost one-third said they have to do it regularly. Architecture ranks fifth in the list of jobs most linked to suicide according to a U.S. study.

Invited guests, made up of interior designers and architects, gathered at Milliken’s Clerkenwell showroom for a workshop designed to build self-awareness, resilience and to empower individuals to recognise workplace stress and tackle stress-related challenges at work through effective coping strategies. Neil explained that our typical response of turning to stimulants (such as caffeine, refined sugar, nicotine and alcohol) at times of pressure exasperates the

problem. As an alternative he shared breathing techniques and ways to help individuals define and articulate their stress levels.

As well as learning practical techniques to help themselves in the workplace, the group also examined ways they, as designers, can improve wellbeing and help reduce stress through the spaces they design. Using Sli.do interactive polling technology, the audience was asked ‘Is a physical work environment important for wellbeing and mental health?’ The response was overwhelming, with 98% agreeing with the

statement. Natural light and fresh air were the top picks of elements that can positively impact wellbeing.

In a nationwide study just completed by the Stress Management Society for Peldon Rose, 95% of respondents stated their physical work environment is important for their wellbeing and mental health. However, half say their current working environment doesn’t have a positive effect on their mental health (51%), wellbeing (49%), mood (47%) and productivity (43%).

Food for thought!w

SOCIAL CHAIN’S NEW ‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’ EXPANSION New York subways, an indoor jungle and a space-themed floating boardroom are just some of the sights at Manchester headquarted, social media marketing agency, Social Chain’s new office expansion.

The social media agency have also incorporated seven new creative studios at their HQ in Manchester, based in the heart of Bruntwood Work’s digital and tech community in West Village.

From starting out in coworking space at 127 Portland Street for four people just four years ago, the masters of social marketing have undergone phenomenal growth and have now expanded into 15,000 sq ft space in the building and employ over 250 people worldwide.

The new designs, overseen by Atul Bansal of Sheila Bird Group and worked on in partnership with Bruntwood, are centred on providing a mix of collaborative workspaces creating the ultimate creative playground for millennials.

A new indoor jungle, complete with soothing rainforest soundtrack, has been designed as a quiet, zen zone for workers, while, a huge new tiered seating area is the perfect space for teams to

gather for meetings or presentations. Taking centre stage is a huge, floating, ‘out of this world’ boardroom, decorated to reflect outer space and guaranteed to wow guests. Alongside this is a chilled coffee shop area and a ‘secret passage’ filled with colourful beanbags.

The agency also now has a total of eight show-stopping studios, including facilities for podcasts, photography and filming, which are all available to hire by external companies.

The cool features, which baffled middle-aged Adam when it appeared in the last series of ITV show Cold Feet remain, including the slide, adult ball pit, bar, cascading waterfall and modern day mural of The Last Supper.

Steve Bartlett, CEO of Social Chain, said: ‘We love the new space. Our team led the design ideas and it’s a great reflection of us. We’re massive on making sure everyone gets a say so we can give people what they want from their work environment.

'Our new all singing, all dancing studios are incredible too. There’s nothing like them in Manchester, so it really is a big first for the city.'w

Mix 190 January 2019 | 15

Upfront |

MOVERS & SHAKERS When we first put together our annual list of people who have changed jobs in the sector, we managed to pull all of a dozen or so names together. The next year there were few more – and now look at the numbers! Without blowing our own trumpet, we know more people and firms, so it's only logical that we'll have a longer list. On the other hand, it must say something about the market that so many people are moving and shaking. Good luck to all with the latest chapters in their careers.

BEFORE

WHO

NOW

Interior Designer, NoChintz

Abigail Carpe

Senior Designer, SpaceInvader Design

Adam Durrant

Associate, SpaceInvader Design

Adrian Bates

Head of Commercial, Sky

Director, JLL Brand Communication Manager, Steelcase London Commercial Business Manager, Modulyss

Alexander Gifford Alistair Shove

Head of Design, CDS Wilman

Design Director, KI Europe London Regional Sales Manager, Modulyss

Creative Director, Area Sq

Andrea Williams-Wedberg

Design Director, Modus Workspace

Sales Director, Sourcetec

Andrew Broomfield

Sales Director South, LOFT Interiors

Furniture Account Manager, Overbury BDM UK Regions, Humanscale

Andrew Cloggie

Regional Sales Manager, KI

Andrew Huckerby

Sales Director, Staverton

Regional Business Manager, Flexiform

Andrew Kuhler

Sales Director South, Southerns Broadstock

Associate Workplace Consultant, Perkins+Will

Andrew Wignall

Associate Director, tp bennett

Andy Price

Head of Contracts, Flexiform

Group Contracts Manager, The Senator Group Head of Interior Design, Bowman Riley Director, Superfutures

Ben Horobin Ben Webb

Associate Designer, KONCEPT Interior Design Founder at 3Stories

Senior Project Manager, Como Group

Chris Kerr

Senior Project Manager, BW

Account Manager, Interface

Craig Boyd

Specification Manager, CTD Tiles

Director, JudgeXD Ultrafabrics

David Judge David Kennaway

Project Director, Perkins+Will

Emma Green

Director, tp bennett

Principal, Gensler

Enrico Caruso

Director of Design, HOK

Founder, H4 Consult Associate Director of Design, AECOM Head of Business Development, Blueprint Interiors Consultant, 2M Media Solutions Associate Director, SpaceInvader Design Head of Marketing, Bruntwood Project Director, Area

Gary Helm Gavin Hughes Hannah Floyd Heather Zweimueller Howard Powsney Ian Wilson James Hamerton

Regional Sales Manager, Forbo Floor Systems

Jason Pethard

Slinky Interiors

Jason Woollett

Managing Director, Bisley MD, Ultrafabrics Senior Workplace Strategist, Unilever

16 | Mix 190 January 2019

Group Creative Director, SpaceZero Staverton

John Atkin Jonathan Hinton Jordan Jones

Founder, OBO Design Director, HLW Business Development Director, Rhino Interiors MD, Wiesner Hager Director, /aytch/.

Marketing Director, Peel Land & Property Group Project Director, Modus Workspace Head of Key Accounts, Forbo Flooring UK Regional Manager, CMD CEO, Bisley MD, Global Accounts, Humanscale Global Workplace Design Strategy Lead, Unilever

Upfront |

Project Manager, Interaction

Kaiser Khan

Contracts Manager, Claremont

Architect, Denton Corker Marshall

Laura Noble

Architect, Orms

Client Relationship Manager, Overbury

Lauren Gwinnett

Group Director of Workplace Design, The Hut Group

Lesley McPhee

Design Director, c2:concepts

Workplace Consultant, LOM Architecture and Design

Mark Simpson

Workplace Strategy and Design, Arcadis

Workplace Strategist, Connection

Martin Anderson

Business Development Associate, TĂŠtris

Regional Sales Manager, Staverton

Director, GL Hearn

Matt Blaydon

Head of FF&E Operations, Dragonfly Contracts

Matt Dunsmore

Market Development Manager, SpaceZero

Director, Your Bureau

Michael Forbes

Account Manager, Workstories

Director, Maris Interiors

Mike McKeown

MD, Od Group

Interior Designer, Fuse Studios

Nathan Curtis

Partner, Matthews & Goodman

Senior Interior Designer, SpaceInvader Design

Director, AECOM

Nick Lintott

Associate Interior Designer, 5plus Architects

Nicki Hearne

Business Development Director, Od Group Associate, John Matthews Architects

Sales & Marketing Director, SpaceZero

Oliver Ronald

Business Development Director, ADT Workplace

Senior Designer, Decorplus

Rafael Tavares da Silva

Commercial Director, Bisley

Ralph Hearnshaw

Commercial Director, Tangent Furniture

Consultant, 2M Media Solutions

Rebecca Knowles

Architectural Assistant, SKArchitects

Furniture Consultant, Ralph Capper Interiors Senior Interior Designer, Yellow6

Associate, KSS Design Group

Ryan Beggs

Design Consultant, By Form

Samantha Dickinson

Head of Design, Officeinsight

Senior Interior Designer, ADT Workplace

Sejal Mistry

Senior Interior Designer, Sheppard Robson

Interior Designer, Whitespace Consultants

Sheila Yau

Interior Designer, Brown & Bancroft Interiors

Workplace Development Manager, Paragon Interiors

Steve Dobson

Workplace Consultant, Overbury

Commercial Business Manager, Karndean

Steven Bickley

A&D Sales Consultant, Bolon

Freelance Architectural Designer Business Development Account Manager, Penkeths Project Director, ThirdWay Interiors Business Unit Director, Como

Steve Leigh Susan Maria Cresswell

Senior Designer, The Fairhursts Design Group Managing Director, Choice Chance Change

Tom Fergusson

Project Director, Woodalls Design

Trevor Bacon

Director, Trevor Bacon Consulting

Breaking

Kusch Notification It felt as though 2018 was the year of ‘strategic partnerships’ between furniture manufacturers – think Steelcase and Orangebox, Haworth and BuzziSpace or Herman Miller and Framery. Surely things would calm down in 2019. Well, not if the first couple of weeks of the New Year are anything to go by!

LEFT From left: Adam Krzanowski, Ricarda Kusch, Dieter Kusch, Rafal Chwast, Roman Przbylski

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Breaking

ABOVE Te rm

inal

A

s we went to press (literally on the morning of signing-off this issue), the Nowy Styl Group announced that it is taking over Kusch+Co. We felt we simply had to ‘hold the presses’ and bring you another major furniture market scoop.

For German seating specialist Kusch+Co, this means an expansion of the company’s range of operation, and for the Nowy Styl Group a growth of its share in the European office market and a strong entry into the promising health and transport segments. The integration of the two companies is expected to bring a number of synergies.

The completed transaction is yet another major move by the acquisitional Polish Group, who took over Swiss company Sitag in 2015, Rohde & Grahl in 2013 and German brand Grammer Office in 2011.

We are entering a new, very attractive business sector, thereby increasing the diversification of our operations

‘This is the next step in a consistent implementation of the Group’s strategy,’ Adam Krzanowski, President of the Nowy Styl Group, says.

‘We are highly advanced in integrating the companies we acquired in previous years, so we decided that this is a good time for another move.’

Kusch+Co is a global premium brand, well recognised in design and architectural circles, and offers a strong portfolio of products for workplace and public facilities, complementary to the offering of the Nowy Styl Group. Seats and benches from Kusch+Co can be found in the waiting rooms of more than 240 passenger terminals around the world, including Frankfurt Airport, Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris and Stockholm Arlanda Airport ‘Kusch+Co is one of the leading global suppliers of furnishings for airports and carries out projects with the biggest architectural studios in the world. Deep integration will allow us to further strengthen the

role of Kusch+Co in that sector by providing access to the Group’s broad product portfolio, increasing the scale of operation and optimising production costs,’ emphasises Rafał Chwast, Vice President and Finance Director for the Group.

‘Together with Kusch+Co, we also want to develop the highly specialised health segment – I am sure that with the competence and many years of experience of our new partner combined with our production capacity, we can offer solutions in this area that are even better for customers,’ Adam continues.

‘We are entering a new, very attractive business sector, thereby increasing the diversification of our operations,’ Rafal adds. ‘The European market for medical care is big, and the demographic trends determine its further growth.’

Contemporary treatment facilities include not only hospitals, but also nursing homes, homes for seniors and other specialised medical and care centres. Their furnishings must meet highly functional, sanitary and visual standards, while the climate of the interior must build up a sense of freedom, safety and comfort for those staying there.

‘The people that I meet at the Nowy Styl Group, their passion and enterprise are extremely inspiring.

I feel that we understand one another very well, especially on the basis of values and our vision of the business. I am consistently impressed by the production plants, the centre for innovation and the offices of the Nowy Styl Group in Poland and I can see how our merger offers manifold opportunities for development,’ says Ricarda Kusch, CEO of Kusch+Co, who will continue to manage the business.

‘The reasons for the sale of our company, founded 80 years ago, with its 250 employees and approximately 40 million Euros in sales, are, on the one hand, a noticeably increased competitiveness in a strongly globalising competitive environment and, on the other hand, the considerably improved

opportunities for the traditional Kusch brand in the future in terms of product range, service and sales.’

The 16 companies that make up the Nowy Styl Group, as well as the 29 showrooms in Europe and the Middle East and 3,500 dealers around the world will now becoming part of Kusch+Co’s distribution network. As a result of the transaction, the Group will expand further, with a modern production facility in Hallenberg, a skilled crew of 250 employees and long-standing partners and dealers selling a variety of Kusch+Co products around the world. w

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Mix 190 January 2019 | 19

Upfront | Seven

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1 SEVEN We’re sure that most of you can spot an Eames, a Tulip or a Barcelona, but how much further does your ‘classic’ knowledge stretch. We asked Office Furniture London MD Steve Fitch – ­ a man whose knowledge stretches a very long way indeed – to compile seven classic designs that might not be so instantly recognisable.

1. Sputnik by Stilnova Inspired by the Sputnik satellite launched by the USSR in 1957, Stilnovo set out, in that same year, to create a ‘space age’ lighting collection. Capitalising at the time on people’s fascination and awe with everything ‘outer space’, Stilnovo’s Sputnik caught the attention of the global design community.

2. Kiki Sofa by Artek When presented at the Milan Triennale in 1960, the Kiki Sofa took the gold medal. Legend has it that a manufacturer approached IImari Tapiovaara, asking him to design a product that made use of his surplus of metal tubing.

3. Butterfly Chair by Ercol Designed by Lucian R Ercolani and groundbreaking when first launched in 1958, the chair has distinctive curved bent plies reminiscent of the profile of a butterfly’s wings. The butterfly chair is one of Ercol’s most iconic designs

20 | Mix 190 January 2019

Classic Designs

7

6 4. Pollock Arm Chair by Knoll Designed by Charles Pollock in 1960 and originally manufactured from 1964-79, the steel and leather ‘sling chair’ or ‘657’, as it is commonly referred to, offers a refined combination of materials and finishes. Tubular steel legs connect to cast aluminium arms and stretchers with exposed hardware, exemplifying Pollock’s ‘honest’ approach to design.

6. VP Globe by Verpan As one of Verner Panton’s most enduring creations, the VP Globe, designed in 1969, is recognised worldwide for its sculptural and futuristic form. The acrylic globe, with its system of suspended reflectors that diffuse the light and eliminate glare, is a perfect example of Panton’s unique understanding of shape, light and colour and his bold approach to combining different materials.

7. Ant Chair by Fritz Hansen

5. FS Line by Wilkhahn In 1980 Klaus Franck and Werner Sauer were two young designers at Wilkhahn. Both of them wanted to create a product with natural mobility. Following intensive studies, they developed the FS-Line. The principle was quite simple, a highly flexible seat shell that adjusts automatically to any change in posture.

Arne Jacobson named the chair ‘Ant’ due to its appearance, resembling that of the insect.

Developed in 1951 for a the canteen of a Novo Nordisk, the light, stackable seating solution was originally designed with three legs so as to avoid the user getting his/her legs tangled in those of the chair.w

Oran. Design by Mark Gabbertas

allermuir.com

Upfront |

WORKING QUIETLY Steve Gale sees an easy target for a more productive workspace – although he does admit that it has taken him a while.

Our design inputs are acts of faith, driven by belief in things that cannot be proven

Steve Gale is Head of Business Intelligence at M Moser Associates. SteveG@mmoser.com

© The National Gallery, London

G

etting people to work and giving them tools and space is a huge investment, although less than the cost of employees themselves, and designers and engineers are in the thick of it.

Rent is only part of the cost, office equipment, IT networks, devices, furniture, maintenance and energy are all real. Business seeks value from expenditure, so I want to look at one aspect of the economic responsibility of designers. How do we know when this money is well spent?

The holy grail of success in the workplace is productivity, which creates happiness and misery depending on its direction of travel. But the units are not simple, so they are rarely measured, and causal links are very elusive.

Frustratingly, this means our design inputs are acts of faith, driven by belief in things that cannot be proven. We provide food and drink and create interactive space hoping for an uptick in productivity, but we never really know for sure.

It’s like advertising. Some of it seems to work, but we don’t know which bits.

This absence of scientific evidence means that we rely on opinion to guide us, and countless survey results are available to steer our design efforts. Can we see common themes emerging from all these questions and answers? I can think of one. This is what my own surveys show after exactly 20 years of interrogation.

During this time I have asked what works for people in the workplace, and what does not, and have used the results in design briefs. A quick survey identifies problems and ranks them in a graphic hit-list of issues to resolve. During the Christmas break I reviewed the outputs gathered over two decades from occupiers of open plan offices, which is the environment for most knowledge workers.

My simple survey asks about fairly mundane activities that people perform as part of their job, and gathers data on what helps or hinders people performing these tasks, without second-guessing what the factors might be. The data is not a record

of what people like or want, but a study of how their environment affects their performance. So a survey would include activities like sensitive or confidential discussions with colleagues, unplanned meetings, formal meetings, social interactions, making and receiving phone calls etc.

One activity, which I call 'quiet working', has emerged as an exceptionally hot ticket over the decades. It really stands out from the others.

Respondents have consistently scored this as a vitally important activity, but rated it near the bottom in terms of environmental support. The overwhelming finding is that the workplace has not been helping people to work quietly, even though it is a key part of their job, with no significant improvement in the past 20 years, despite a raft of well-meant furniture solutions, home working policies and inventive use of meeting rooms.

Digging deeper through interviews and workshops, I find three recurring attributes: 1. The problem is unwanted noise – usually other people’s conversations or phone calls. 2. People say that they struggle to do anything about the disruptive noise, or escape it. 3. Respondents say the damage to their productivity is very high. '…the damage to their productivity is very high'. People say that noise disruption is hugely damaging to their output, and their mitigating options are limited. Aside from some well-known work-arounds, they are suffering. We still need to do better.

The findings imply that an open plan workspace clearly reduces productivity. Revenue must be lost through ineffective working. Can we be sure that the business benefit of our modern open plan workplace is greater than this lost revenue? Is it delivering value?

If the pursuit of productivity is a worthwhile mission, we must attack this persistent and visible obstruction to productivity in the modern workplace. Open plan, which has been an economic no-brainer for decades, has an inherent weakness, which deserves a bit more effort in our workplace design.w

Mix 190 January 2019 | 23

Upfront | Material Matters

MATERIAL MATTERS In this month’s Material Matters, the team of experts at Material Lab focus on products that combine natural and synthetic materials to create design-led surfaces. www.material-lab.co.uk

Shahar Livne Design Lithopast is inspired by the geological process of metamorphism, which focuses on new materials that are emerging. The Israeli designer envisages a future without plastic production – but where we look to repurpose this new metamorphosed ‘Lithopast’, using it in all walks of life. It is a sustainable clay-like material that has been put together using the incineration designated leftovers from the plastic, mining and stonemasonry industry. Lithopast can be used for sculptural handmade products and, potentially, interior design applications, which are currently being tested. www.shaharlivnedesign.com

Hara Media Rakha Singh has developed a unique fabric made from pure copper metal thread and polyester or silk. The fabric can be produced to any design or pattern and combines the sheen of pure copper metal thread with the softness of polyester or silk. The fabric is the result of innovative production techniques developed through Rakha’s extensive copper work. This creates a shimmering material that amplifies the effects of light and shadow. It can be applied as wallcoverings, upholstery, cushions and interior design projects. www.thecoppercollection.co.uk Naturewalk Naturewalk from British manufacturer Flowcrete forms a seamless and slip-resistant bonded gravel system, designed perfectly for outdoor areas.

Naturewalk offers a range of natural stone aggregates bonded in a solvent free polyurethane resin binder, designed to ensure that walkways and external concourse areas reflect the natural beauty of the outdoors. www.flowcrete.co.uk Savoy Floor Savoy Floor is a contemporary range of glazed porcelain wall and floor tiles featuring a rustic concrete effect field tile and a selection of co-ordinating geometric patterns. Each of the designs within the range can be used on their own or can be combined together to create a patchwork or zoned areas. Whatever your choice, Savoy Floor offers endless creative possibilities. www.johnson-tiles.com

24 | Mix 190 January 2019

TM

The architecture of colour and light colour square colour rectangle 24 colours Eco Solution QŽ fibre Taskworx™ backing

For more information infouk@shawcontract.com or visit shawcontract.com/colourfoundation

Upfront | Desert Island Desks

Charles Bettes, Managing Director, gpad london ltd Charles Bettes is an award-winning architect and Managing Director of gpad london ltd, the architect and interior design practice based in Old Street, London. gpad works across a range of building types, including housing, private residential, offices and mixed-use developments and takes a design-led approach, producing elegant designs, whilst being sympathetic to each site and its context.

26 | Mix 190 January 2019

COFFEE

SKETCH PAD

This is a daily need and I don’t imagine it’s something I would give up for a life in paradise. It keeps me going and focused in the afternoon, and similarly it would be a great help with all the fishing, hunting and gathering involved in island life.

The sketch pad is an absolute essential.

I’m constantly sketching designs and making lists; of things to do and things I should be doing. I don’t recall often getting to the end of a ‘to do’, but the joy of being able to tick things off is rewarding.

MUSIC

CRATE OF BEER

Music is a great source of inspiration. It’s an important stimulus for creative work.

My personal preference is for a mixture of electronica, dance, hip hop and UK garage – but anything with a steady beat helps get work done.

There’s no better way to cool down in hot weather or relax after a hard day’s work.

It would have to be cold though, so this wish comes with a fridge clause, preferably one that magically restocks with different brews from around the world.

Tel 01925 850500 Email info@sixteen3.co.uk

MAGAZINES The only problem with this would be the glaring sunshine shining off the pages and blinding me. If I'm not allowed a pair of shades, I’m sure I could find a shady palm tree – and what a great excuse to design the perfect shelter for the tropics.

I love reading magazines, whether design-based or just culture in general; High Snobiety, Cereal, Kinfolk, Open House are some of the titles I check regularly and, of course, Mix Interiors.

FRENCH BOULES I like a bit of friendly competition and this game has a leisurely enough pace to not be too demanding in hot weather.

Also there’s plenty of time to sip that beer between turns!

TRACKS FOR THE DESERT ISLAND JUKEBOX: 1. SBTRKT and Little Dragon – Wildfire 2. Jungle – Busy Earnin’ 3. KAYTRANADA – Got it Good 4. Caribou – Can’t do Without You 5. Burial – Raver

London Showroom The Gallery, 21-22 Great Sutton St. EC1V 0DY / Manufacture/Showroom Chesford Grange, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 4RQ

www.sixteen3.co.uk

Upfront | Property Matters | Pipeline

HIGH FIVE In the next 12 months approximately 2.5 million sq ft of brand new office floorspace will be completed in the UK's regional cities. Not a lot, given the size of the market, but better than the barely 1.5 million sq ft completed in 2018 (according to Savills). David Thame reports.

T

his floorspace represents a down payment on the long-term future of the UK workplace – or does it?

Future proofing buildings is notoriously difficult – and in 2019 it is almost impossible. Technology, tenant expectations, construction costs and the cloudy jargon of wellbeing all change so fast that being out of date is almost an occupational hazard. But there is one thing the office pipeline can be sure it has to adapt for, and that is improved connectivity.

5G (standing for fifth generation mobile technology) will mean a quantum change in

28 | Mix 190 January 2019

office connectivity. Faster, with less risk of signal and data drop-outs, it is, to normal mobile technology, what dial-up is to broadband. It will carry vastly more data and do it more reliably – and the upshot will be another radical shift in the way most workplaces work.

The hitch is (as WiredScore’s William Newton explains on page 34) that 5G is still wrapped in unknowns. The first UK services might appear in a limited way in late 2019, but the smarter money is on a debut in 2020-2022. Given the large infrastructure investment required, the latter end of this period seems more likely than the

earlier end. At least for most cities outside the London-Thames Valley-Birmingham-Manchester quadrant.

And this, of course, is a problem for landlords and developers. Three or four years feels like a lifetime away. What should they do?

The two questions are: do landlords, developers and investors understand what they have to do? And if they do it, will it make a big difference to rent or occupancy levels?

Harry Badham is Head of UK Development at AXA Real Estate, part of the global AXA empire with £77 billion of assets under management.

There will come a point when developers will just have to make sure the connectivity is there

If you want to know what the people who feed the office pipeline are thinking, Harry is your man.

'I think we should think back to the way sustainable and green buildings developed,' he explains. 'At first it felt that a BREEAM rating added no value, but today it is effectively mandatory, and we’ll see the same story of 5G connectivity. By then, we’ll have a clear idea of what works and what is just background noise.

'There will come a point when developers will just have to make sure the connectivity is there.'

This means making sure there are adequate fibre connections into buildings to provide internal 5G wireless coverage, and adequate distribution of the signal on each floor.

'The immediate result will be more cloud computing, less desk phones, less heat-producing technology in the office, therefore less air conditioning and less big desks for all the big technology to sit on. This adds up to a leaner, cleaner office,' Harry says.

ABOVE: Appold Studios

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Upfront | Property Matters | Pipeline

Harry also expects 5G to change the way office properties are managed through smart office facilities management.

'I think 5G is going to mean better-managed offices, but also things like the shape of floorplans may change. Today it depends on cabling, but in the future it might be determined by more human factors and less by the need for fixed wire phone and cable outlets to every workstation. The result will be much denser offices because workstations won’t have to be 1.5 metre desks. We can create different environments,' he says.

Inevitably more flexibility means less floorspace is needed. Office landlords and investors find that a rather chilling thought, but they will have to grin and bear it.

Installing the right kind of fibre connections and infrastructure to make 5G work costs developers about £1 per sq ft, so a real but modest cost. The software adds another 10-15p per sq ft per year, which will probably go on the service charge.

Telecoms specialists, like GVA Director Michael Whear, say the office market needs to get ready for 5G to open the door to the Internet of Things (IoT), 'We believe 5G will absolutely be a game changer, not only for smart homes and workspaces but also smart entertainment, farming and healthcare, as well as the much discussed driverless cars,' he says.

'The Internet of Things will also be greatly impacted by 5G as the speed of connection between devices and the internet increases as well as a growth in the number of connected devices.'

If the technology delivers, then there is scope for the seamless integration of AI into the workplace and that will benefit workplace practices. Increased network speeds and capacity will also increase efficiency, which could have a positive effect on the work/life balance of employees.

'The advice we would give to landlords would be to act now as tenants are becoming ever more reliant on technology,' says Michael. 'Many

The result will be much denser offices because workstations won’t have to be 1.5 metre desks.

We can create different environments

30 | Mix 190 January 2019

ABOVE: The Shard from above

tenants looking for office space would expect good bandwidth and low latency as standard.'

GVA says landlords may want to look at deploying an in-building DAS (distributed antenna system), which would provide increased mobile coverage in buildings with poor signal or connectivity. In previous years, network operators may have funded these systems, however, landlords are now starting to recognise the added value to their tenants of boosting mobile coverage within their buildings and are starting to fund these systems themselves.

Down on the ground, the regional agents who will have to let this super-connected floorspace are not (yet) enthused. They warn it could be higher costs for occupiers, perhaps limiting their total budget for other workplace-related investments.

Charles Warrack, Partner at Midlands surveyors Johnson Fellows, says: '5G could transform the way we work, particularly if it is combined with

coworking. It could be a powerful force for change. But if landlords invest in fibre and internal networks, they will pass the cost back to the tenants through service charges.'

In Leeds, Knight Frank Partner, Eamon Fox, sensibly points out that high cable data speeds mean 5G may not have a revolutionary impact.

'I don’t think every landlord or tenant is yet wise to what 5G means, but the fact is you can get 10GB broadband in central Leeds, if you are prepared to pay for it, so I’m not sure 5G helps that much,' he says.

'Maybe it is what comes after 5G that the landlords have to invest in. Perhaps they have to leap over this technology to the technology that follows?'

And the 5G roll out begins – that is a slightly alarming thought. But it is a sobering warning that technology can have disruptive and unpredictable effects on the office property pipeline. Happy New Year! w

Switch Tables shown with our rather splendid Mi Chairs.

1. Remove the top.

2. Fold the frame.

3. Switch your space in seconds.

Switch is a range of beautifully simple folding tables. A unique locking mechanism secures the top to the legs and a flexible scissor-style frame allows the user to assemble and disassemble the table quickly and easily. The durable, lightweight frame can be stowed away with the detached tops on a purpose-built trolley, allowing the user to manoeuvre up to 6 tables around a building and through standard sized doorways. Brilliantly designed in Blighty by Bruce High.

Don’t be a stranger.

Get in touch. You never know, it could be the start of something beautiful. +44 (0)1427 677 556

info@newdesigngroup.co.uk

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A proud part of:

Upfront | Property Matters | C-Suite

YOU KNOW THE SCORE? Everybody – literally everybody – in the world of office property has heard of BREEAM, the sustainable buildings certification standard. But who has heard of WiredScore? For now, the answer is, not so many.

But with 5G mobile connectivity on its way, the days when ignorance is excusable are fast receding. Fresh from its launch in Birmingham, and with a Leeds launch in prospect, WiredScore is on the warpath.

W

iredScore is the international scheme that rates and provides transparency on the infrastructure, connectivity and technological capacity of office buildings.

WiredScore was founded in New York in 2013, was given a kick start by an endorsement from Mayor Bloomberg, who wanted to improve the city’s technology infrastructure, and landed in London in 2015. Today it operates in Ireland, France, Germany and Canada as well as the UK and US. WiredScore has rated around 70 million sq ft of UK office floorspace – about half the buildings (but most of the sq ft) in London.

As the figures suggest, WiredScore’s penetration into markets outside London and Manchester is fairly modest; a search of their website listed just four buildings certified in Glasgow, two in Bristol, two in Leeds.

32 | Mix 190 January 2019

There’s no doubt that, as connectivity becomes basic to the modern workspace, many occupiers yearn for the kind of assurance that WiredScore brings.

To co-ordinate with the Birmingham launch, WiredScore published research showing 97% of business leaders stressed the significance of connectivity when selecting office space, which was considered more essential than traditional factors such as price (94%) and location (92%), as well as more current concerns such as environmental friendliness (76%).

More worryingly, nearly two-thirds of Birmingham’s businesses (61%) encounter problems at least once a month, while 42% experience problems at least once a week, which has a profound impact on their ability to do business.

97

94

97

92

94

92

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Connectivity

Location

Price

Connectivity

m ha ng

Environmental Friendliness

Environmental Friendliness

Location

Figure 1 Once a mo nt Once h asw s (%) e s e e in

Bus

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42

GLOBAL SUPPLIER OF CONTRACT FABRICS

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Percen Percen tage tage of Bir of m i Bir m i

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Connectivity Issues 61

42

• • • • • • • •

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THIS PAGE FIGURE 1: Factors business leaders consider important when selecting office space FIGURE 2: Percentage of Birmingham Business who experience

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Upfront | Property Matters | C-Suite

ABOVE: Twentytwo, London LEFT: William Newton, WiredScore

William Newton, President and European Managing Director at WiredScore, is the man charged with leading the campaign to expand the certification scheme and, in the process, sounding alarm bells about property’s readiness for 5G. ‘We have certainly seen, and continue to see, a shift towards the obligation being placed on landlords to provide strong connectivity in their buildings,’ he says. ‘In order to remain competitive, business leaders need the guarantee that their office space has the ability to meet their technological requirements with the right infrastructure in place. There is a tangible global demand for this service.’

As for 5G, future-proofing both businesses and buildings is going to be difficult, he says. Despite government announcements that 5G will be piloted in a number of locations, with London and Birmingham high on the list, the degree of market readiness is low.

‘Nobody knows exactly what 5G is yet,’ William explains. ‘Remember, this is not just one technology being rolled out, it is a bundle of technology. I have great faith that it will unlock huge potential, not just because it is high speed but because it is low latency (e.g. the signal is less likely to drop out). But it works on very short wave lengths over short distances, so it cannot penetrate walls or glass well. That means in London we’ll need 500,000 new transmitters for outside connections, and lots of repeaters inside buildings to maintain connectivity.’ In other words, if landlords and developers (and occupiers) are

34 | Mix 190 January 2019

waiting for some big switch to be flicked, and 5G to rain down upon them, they are making a huge misunderstanding. For 5G to operate in most workplace environments it will mean landlords installing fibre connections and then propagating the signal (meaning distributing it) around each floor.

WiredScore expects to certify another 30-40 million sq ft in the immediate future as landlords and developers seek the assurance that certification brings

So what kind of fibre do you need, how many connections, which repeaters in which places?

That is not clear either says William. ‘For now, the only thing that’s been agreed about 5G is what the logo looks like. The rest is being determined at a world congress late this year. So, for now, we’re in a holding pattern.’

Wise landlords and developers will be keeping their options open and leaving spaces for new infrastructure. ‘They could be setting aside basement space to propagate the 5G signal, so server rooms will probably still be needed even if occupiers keep all their data on the cloud rather than on servers. They also need to make sure the building’s risers are ready for fibre, with connections on each floor,’ William says.

Alas, not every landlord has got the message.

‘Some landlords have good 5G readiness, others aren’t so far ahead. Some really get it, others will wait until they get complaints for tenants,” William continues, with a sigh that says this is a familiar pattern.

The expansion of connectivity certification into more UK cities can only help. There could also be new approaches or new forms of certification and there will be other providers of the kind of reassurance that landlords and tenants are seeking.

‘We haven’t any firm plans yet for other markets, although we are looking at Leeds.

It looks really exciting after Channel 4’s announcement of plans to relocate their HQ to the city. Leeds is really an unsung hero,’ says William.

‘We’re prepared to give the kind of leadership that is needed here, and we recognise that we have a public sector mission. We’ve already worked with the City of London on the new draft plan that requires new buildings to get certification, and they are doing it because it is very effective.’

WiredScore expects to certify another 30-40 million sq ft in the immediate future as landlords and developers seek the assurance that certification brings. By five years they expect to dominate most of the UK’s larger urban areas in much the same way they do London (where coverage is about 40%).

Does this matter? According to William, it does and for the most basic and powerful reason.

He explains: ‘Never forgot the issue of connectivity is about allowing humans to work, to help them work, because we live in a world where productivity depends on connectivity.’ w

www.NowyStylGroup.com

Spotlight | Pause for Thought

SPOTLIGHT

THE BIG QUESTION 39 What did you learn from 2018 (no mention of Brexit please)?

SPOTLIGHT: PAUSE FOR THOUGHT 4 0 Mix 190 January 2019 | 37

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W E D I S C � � U N T � � K I N G F I F F E R E N T L U B H � � R K S E R I H A T W E W � R . ”

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Spotlight | The Big Question

THE BIG

Wh a t d id yo u l e a rn fro m 2018 (n o m e nt i o n o f Bre x it p l e a s e)?

UESTION

LEANNE WOOKEY, DIRECTOR, NOCHINTZ

LEWIS HARMAN, A&D DIRECTOR, HUNTERS CONTRACTS

BE PRESENT. We spend so much time distracted by digital notifications – emails, texts, Instagram alerts all constantly battling for our attention – that we forget how to be truly present. I have learned to value this more than I ever have before.

Whether it is a conversation with a stranger, a concert, a talk, a meal with the family, if you are going to arrive, then always be present and give your full attention undistracted. I was amazed that such a simple action could have such an impact on me.

Hard work pays off! The culture of our business is hugely important. It’s still ridiculously difficult to get Glastonbury tickets Agile is here to stay – and no voice should go unheard. I’ve spent a while reflecting on what drives me, and 2018 has taught me that we should gravitate towards our passions, so 2019 may well be the return of the Furniture Guru!

GILL PARKER, CEO, BDG ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

YORGO LYKOURIA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, RAINLIGHT

KATHRYN O’CALLAGHAN-MILLS, DESIGN DIRECTOR, AREA

In a year of global political uncertainty and polarised opinion we need to look to other ways to unite for the common good – and this is where creativity comes to the forefront. There is freedom in creative solutions to the challenges facing businesses that will yield positive transformation.

Hopefully our politicians will realise this in 2019!

2018 was a year when the noise triumphed over the signal. Where delivery got in the way of the truth. Being yourself, true to yourself, means many things. In 2018 I learned that we all need to try harder to make the world a place we love, cherish and adore. Rather than being concerned about: What sells? Will they like it? It’s time to be free and answer the calling that chose us to be creators.

My lesson from 2018 is this; if you base what you are aiming for on a plan, some discipline and consistency, you will get what you want to achieve.

It’s the same for clients; have faith in yourself and ask the tough objective questions, let go of the worry. That way, you will help them too. But most importantly, and above all, enjoy the journey!

ANTHONY BROWN, SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR OF BW: WORKPLACE EXPERTS Was almost every day a revelation in 2018? It felt like that. Six weeks of sweltering, record-breaking weather and I learned that this mild, grey country could get too hot. The came the World Cup madness and I learned that this country’s mild, grey people could lose themselves in a dream of hope over experience. And thanks to my teenage daughter, I finally figured out what Fortnite is!

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Spotlight | Pause for Thought

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

We asked a cross-section of the market’s elite to put aside their turkey and festivities for a few minutes to answer a diverse selection of questions about what they feel the past year has delivered and what they expect from 2019.

If it is possible, ignore Brexit (because it seems no one can predict that) what will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019? ‘New ways of working’ is the term I prefer as companies evaluate their workspaces.

PJ Statham

Owner, Momentum

How long have you been in the world of workplace? Since 1980 – rather a long time!

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started?

Technology has changed the way everyone works.

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? Both… technology has created easier ways of working but it also leads to communication breakdowns and fewer direct conversations. It allows people to hide and that cannot be good.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? They like to think they are more aware, simply because there are so many products on the market that, if they know a few, they appear to be experts. Designers and architects need to work harder to learn what is available, how and why it is designed and how it is made. I think our industry has either become a bit lazy with research or the pressure to meet deadlines determines the eventual design, not the ideal for anyone.

40 | Mix 190 January 2019

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? It might slow down a little, but technology is changing faster than furniture can keep up, so developments will be needed.

Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance?

It will change, but someone still has to manage the assets. Buildings are costly, so they need to be efficient.

Is the Gen X,Y,Z & millennial terminology helpful for understanding or lazy stereotyping? Lord David Willetts made some interesting comments about this – that if we do not understand the differences and the impending problems, we will fail the subsequent generations.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? This is a tough one unless we change school timetables and holiday periods. It is the case though, that work practices are allowing greater flexibility, but meetings can really only take place when people are available at the same time!

If you had one contribution to make to making things just a little better over the next decade, what would it be? I would ask people to research and check for alternatives to the first furniture they find and avoid copies; support original designs.

Dean Kuch

Managing Director, Thinking Works

How long have you been in the world of workplace? 33 years.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? Emails – whatever happened to talking to colleagues and trusting they’ll do what they say instead of trying to try to trap them by putting everything in an email?

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? It’s easier to research, and the Internet has helped everybody become an ‘expert’ on any given topic, but, we seem to get less ‘work’ done now than before.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? Yes, but I think it will start to slow in the next 18-24 months.

Who is accountable for wellbeing in the workplace? Human Resources departments in larger organisations and Managing Directors in smaller organisations.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? I think, to some extent, we already have – the working day starts at home for a lot of people before they get to the office, and a lot of people work late or work from home into the evening too.

Spotlight | Pause for Thought

How many more years of casual sexism in workplaces do we have before that dies a death? Depends however long I’m alive!!! I think we’ll see sexism diluted greatly in the next 10 years, however, there will be traces of it for many years to come.

If you had one contribution to help make things just a little better over the next decade what would it be? To make the work environment better for the workers. To give them back some of what’s been taken away with open plan offices. To give them somewhere they belong – and want to belong.

What will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019? Staff wellbeing, such as a better understanding and acceptance to mental health, not just physical.

Is the Gen X,Y,Z and millennial terminology helpful for understanding or lazy stereotyping?

The latter – I’m old school. I often think it’s unnecessary terminology.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? I see no signs of it stagnating or any uncertainties. I think once Brexit becomes old news, it will be business as usual.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? Flexible working and trust for staff within the workplace. Giving staff the freedom to get their work done in an environment that inspires them and not just a 9-5 office where they clock in and clock out.

Who is accountable for wellbeing in the workplace? It starts from the top and should be encouraged in the environment you own or create.

If you give them the tools and – sometimes more importantly – your time, you will see a big difference, which will then be embraced by all. You don’t need a separate department or person to be accountable for this.

Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance?

Like all roles, they are being amalgamated into other roles, so people are having to multitask jobs and workloads.

How many more years of casual sexism in workplaces do we have before that dies a death?

It will die a death over the next five years as the next generation reach management posts.

What are the opportunities that we will regret taking? Working from home all too often, people will lose the ability to communicate face-to-face.

If you had one contribution to help make things just a little better over the next decade what would it be? Electric cars should be compulsory – and get a Politian to answer a question with a direct answer!

Mark Hickey

Owner, Ultimate Group

How long have you been in the world of workplace? Over 20 years.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started?

Technology – who would have thought you could work from your mobile device away from the office. Also, working flexibility and trust within the workplace.

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? It’s definitely better and what we hear from our end user clients is that staff retention is testament to this with recruitment costs down.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? Absolutely. We usually find that a company will engage a champion within their organisation to research working environment trends beforehand. We also see evidence of user group feedback at initial consultation stages from within organisations, which confirms that the employer is more open to change.

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Spotlight | Pause for Thought

wellbeing and social experiences bookending the traditional working day.

Tim Gledstone

Partner, Squire and Partners

How long have you been in the world of workplace? All my working life, which is 22 years.

As an architecture practice, our offices have always acted as a showcase to our clients, so we naturally think about how design impacts people within the company as well as those looking in.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? The demand and appreciation of end user design, addressing the specific needs of businesses and their employees. Our designs are targeted for every client, which range from UNISON to Ministry of Sound.

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? Generally it’s been changing for the better, with clients appreciating the value good design adds to every aspect of the workplace.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? Yes, with the quality of vision retained – this will impact on workspace design to raise the standard expected by tenants.

Who is accountable for wellbeing in the workplace? The people, when they demand it.

Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance? It’s a dead job in its traditional format. The role should be seen more like a hotel GM or concierge, managing departments within organisations, creating events for building occupiers, providing good quality food and drink, booking sessions for the gym/spa.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? Respect responsibility and base performance on delivery. We should also be designing for before 9am and after 5pm, with

42 | Mix 190 January 2019

If you had one contribution to help make things just a little better over the next decade what would it be? Creating workspaces that inspire confidence and happiness, and foster a collaborative community, which are interested in helping one other rather than competing with one another.

Shaun Rossington Operations Director, UBI

How long have you been in the world of workplace? I started as an installer in 1991 – so nearly 28 years.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? Probably product choice. I mean, in the 90`s there was probably no more than 3-4 suppliers involved – now you find 1020+ on some projects.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? Definitely! They have the tools to really investigate their product selection and suppliers have really committed to showcasing their products.

Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance?

Definitely – it has already. They now need to understand product and design as well as technology in the ever-evolving interiors world.

If it is possible, ignore Brexit (because it seems no one can predict that) what will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019?

Wellbeing. Work, for most, can mean never escaping, so getting a balance will be a big focus next year.

We need more ‘away from the desk and chilled-out collaboration areas’.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? It’s got to slow down? But then office furniture just doesn’t have the life-span that it did have and companies are adapting to change sooner, trying to outperform their competitors, even with interiors.

Stephen Collins

Sales Director, Workstories

How long have you been in the world of workplace? I have been in the world of workplace for 17 years and I’ve seen many changes over this time, from cellular offices to the advent of open plan and open transparent working environments. Technology has also changed over the years, which is becoming a focal point in the workstation setting.

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? I feel the workplace has evolved to better meet the needs and requirements of the contemporary worker mix – how they want to work and what they expect from their workplace.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? Design is certainly more accessible now. There is a greater awareness of what is out there and, in turn, clients now know there are products and technology suited to their specific needs.

If it is possible, ignore Brexit (because it seems no one can predict that) what will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019?

Technology is evolving at such a pace with regards to how we charge, how we communicate and how we meet. It will continue to evolve and we are confident that we will continue to develop in all aspects of the workplace to stay ahead of the curve.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? The market is buoyant and we are forecasting that this trend will continue. However, the unknowns of Brexit will have an effect. How product is brought to the market is more important than ever.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? Good design, products and a flexibility from employer and space.

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Spotlight | Pause for Thought

and this can be useful as long as the boundaries are flexible. Just because a person is of a particular age doesn’t mean that their thinking and needs are the same as someone else in their peer group.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? I think this is advancing well enough on its own.

Fergus Bowen Director, Task

How long have you been in the world of workplace? 30 years next March.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? My waist size! The marketplace is certainly a lot less formal than when I started and, also, there are a lot more competitors to do battle with! the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? I think a lot better – there is a lot more scope for creative design to enhance the workplace. More thought is given to the needs of teams and individuals within an organisation rather than just providing a ‘one size fits all’ scheme.

That inspires manufacturers to keep a keen eye on innovative product development – e.g. the TASK ARC family of products.

Beate Mellwig

Senior Principal, HOK

Is

How long have you been in the world of workplace? For several decades and it is fascinating to live and experience the evolution.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? Inclusion rather than exclusion and the fusion of spaces.

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? BETTER – if done with a seasoned workplace team that understands how to align the solution with the client.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? Certainly they are more aware of costs and the various procurement routes that are available to them.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? More knowledge about trends, but what is trending doesn’t tell you whether it’s a fit for your culture, your workforce or your work styles.

If it is possible, ignore Brexit (because it seems no one can predict that) what will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019? The quest for even greater degrees of flexibility and environmental considerations.

If it is possible, ignore Brexit (because it seems no one can predict that) what will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019? The focus on why we provide space in the first place – people, and ensuring space is human-centric. We experience a lot of curiosity and positive moves on Biomimicry, Bio-layering and Neuro-Diversity.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? No. Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance? Yes – there are many more considerations of speciality within the workplace that need to be covered off and the FM responsibility is likely to grow further into these.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? We are likely due for a course correction, but people still need space and companies need to assess if what they are providing is effective – and adjust accordingly.

Is the Gen X,Y,Z & millennial terminology helpful for understanding or lazy stereotyping?

There are many contexts of how we group people,

Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance?

As buildings become more and more automated and

empowered by the IoTs, we see the role of the FM shifting to focus more to managing the community and less on managing the facility.

Is the Gen X,Y,Z & millennial terminology helpful for understanding or lazy stereotyping? For me this is a lazy stereotype and needs to be reviewed from many perspectives, such as sociological and psychological approaches. Each generation has their own traits, but there is too much focus on defining a generation based on a snap shot in time. We all go through life stages. As the millennials age, we see they have more in common with baby boomers. And the differences between introverts and extroverts is probably more impactful then the differences between generations. We need to design spaces that are inclusive to all.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together?I think this has already been looked at. By embracing ‘just-in-time’ staffing and the concept of the Gig pool. The notion that you can only hire FT employees and they have to work on that premise is outdated and holding us back.

The emergence of the Gig or freelance workforce has opened up non-traditional hiring options. It is estimated that, by 2025, more than 50% of the global workforce will be Gig workers. This opens up opportunities for companies to rethink their hiring practices, create pools of ‘just-in-time’ workers to supplement a core group, thus ensuring they needn’t have too many or too few.

How many more years of casual sexism in workplaces do we have before that dies a death? That’s a bigger question that we cannot simply address here, but awareness and recognition is the first positive step of dispelling the problem and not merely ignoring it. We would say that all spaces should be designed to be inclusive – regardless of your gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, or disability – be them physical or neurological. This is a work in progress as new research is always coming out to help us understand how to do so more effectively. But, at HOK, serving humanity is at the core of what we believe. We embrace this responsibility through a positive culture.

What are the opportunities that we will regret taking? Embracing technology too quickly without thinking about the consequences. We need to understand that the path we choose today can take us down a path where we may not be able to return, so we need to understand why we are embracing something before blindly doing so. For example, did everyone on Snapchat understand that their faces

Mix 190 January 2019 | 45

Spotlight | Pause for Thought

were being digitally mapped and recorded when they used certain features on the app?

different drivers, lifestyle, etc – and that technology changes the ways people communicate.

If you had one contribution to help make things just a little better over the next decade what would it be? Convince clients and designers to be brave, demystify technology and make the Place of Work inclusive.

How many more years of casual sexism in workplaces do we have before that dies a death? We’ve only had the vote for 100 years, we still don’t have equal pay, so sadly a lot longer!

If you had one contribution to help make things just a little better over the next decade what would it be? Let’s stop traveling to work in the rush hour when we don’t need to!

Melanie Woolcott

Workplace Director, Orbit Architects

just within the M25). The cost of commercial property is squeezing a lot of businesses, and we are often called in to help companies with higher headcount to desk ratios. With this comes the proper implementation of agile or flexible working, which a lot of companies are having teething problems with.

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? Here’s hoping! It’s very difficult to say with any certainty what’s going to happen, but frenetic building across the South East is a positive sign.

Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance?

I believe that there will be more of an amalgamation between the role of facilities, HR and Health and Safety Managers to achieve the 360 approach to workplace wellness that companies need to facilitate.

Is the Gen X,Y,Z & millennial terminology helpful for understanding or lazy stereotyping? It’s lazy stereotyping. The space

How long have you been in the world of workplace? Oh my God – it’s been over 30 years!!

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? It has to be technology and the ability to be able to communicate so much quicker and more effectively with colleagues and customers anywhere and at any time and in a much more informal way Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? Much better – created to support what people do and less factory-like!

Do you expect the market to continue the impressive raise of the last five years? The uncertainty of the political platform has driven investment in interior fit-out to move more towards adaptable elements – i.e. furniture and has seen an increase in plug and play furniture, particularly the meeting pods we saw all over Orgatec. Businesses need continually better and better places to work, increasing collaboration and creative productivity, as well as retaining and attracting staff.

Who is accountable for wellbeing in the workplace? FM and HR. Do you expect the position of the facilities manager to change and grow in importance?

Definitely – as the workplace is seen as a key driver to supporting staff in being more productive.

Is the Gen X,Y,Z & millennial terminology helpful for understanding or lazy stereotyping? It’s helpful to understand that different generations have

46 | Mix 190 January 2019

David Blood

needs to work for everyone using the space regardless of their age. I feel like it’s more personality based and too complex to sum up with ‘generational’ differences.

What is the single biggest thing that has changed since you started? We’ve seen our clients’ expectations shift. The industry used to focus on desks and chairs, but now people want their spaces to surpass the ideals of the traditional office with flexible workspaces, creative solutions and attractive interiors.

How do we step away from a 9-5 working week construct together? With great difficulty.

Currently businesses are required to match their clients’ requirements, and that usually means being contactable Monday-Friday, 9-5. I believe this is easier for big businesses to change as they have enough people to cover and manage the client’s expectations. For small service providers, this would be far harder to achieve.

Founding Director, Love Your Workspace

Is the workplace better now or is it a case of emperor’s new clothes? The industry has completely changed over the past 20 years.

Both employers and employees have a better understanding of innovative new ways of working and they are far more specific with their briefs and brand identities.

Are clients more knowledgeable about products and design? Design ideas and education is certainly more accessible to our clients – just look at how Pinterest has grown in the past 10 years!

However, I’d say that workspace design is still a specialist subject with acoustics, DSE and layout being the prevalent issues.

If it is possible, ignore Brexit (because it seems no one can predict that) what will be the biggest impact on the workplace sector in 2019? Brexit aside, we’re noticing that a lot of our clients want to make their spaces work a lot harder (and not

How many more years of casual sexism in workplaces do we have before that dies a death? From a director whose company is formed of predominantly women (including my wife), who routinely encounter casual sexism, I feel that any additional years of casual sexism are too many.

If you had one contribution to helping make things just a little better over the next decade, what would it be? It’s trendy for companies to talk about ‘sustainability’ but it’s rarely ingrained in everyday life.

Making companies more accountable for their waste and making recycling a requirement for all businesses would really make people think about ‘buying once and buying right’.

We incentivise our clients to recycle furniture at the end of its life and we hope to see more of a circular economy in the next couple of years.w

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Over the years, we’ve journeyed up and down the country in pursuit of the finest projects. We’re pretty sure, in fact, that we own the record for the greatest distance travelled by a magazine between two UK projects when we went from Plymouth directly to Inverness. Today, we might be setting another distance record – the shortest journey ever made!

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e’re about to ‘head out’ to look at…the newly remodelled Mix Group HQ. We make our way down the stairs, where our boss, MD Marcie Incarico, is admiring the reworked space. ‘It’s really exciting to be ‘living’ what we write and talk about,’ she enthuses. ‘This was one of the main reasons behind this project – it just didn’t feel right that we were looking at and writing about all these brilliant products and projects and not working in an agile, collaborative way ourselves.’

For those of you who don’t know the story, Marcie founded leading Manchester events company, Out There, back in 2001, with the business based in the Abito building in Greengate, just a swift stroll from the centre of Manchester.

When Marcie acquired Mix Interiors some five years ago, the magazine was relocated from Saffron Walden in Essex to Manchester, which was able to comfortably house both the events and publishing arms of the newly formed group.

The ground floor of the space featured a meeting room, open client waiting/informal meeting space and a kitchen, while the open mezzanine above housed a single spine of bench desking for the two teams. ‘It worked well,’ Marcie recalls. ‘We had plenty of space for both teams – we’re still relatively small despite the acquisition of Mix and our continued success. It did, however, look and feel a little tired and occasionally some of the guys struggled to find quiet, focused space to work or to make calls.’

Marcie, with advice from the Mix editorial team, set about looking for new products that would help foster collaboration, interaction and wellbeing – whilst also providing that much-needed focused, quiet space. It was only when starting to talk with friends and clients from the furniture and flooring

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Case Study | Mix Group

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world that the seeds of an exciting, fresh idea began to form.

‘As soon as we approached our lovely friends, they jumped at the idea of working with us,’ Marcie reveals. ‘It became quite quickly apparent that we could – and should – create something more than a redecorated space. Working alongside the manufacturers and suppliers, we started to look at this as a multifunctional space, where not only could our guys work in a variety of different settings, depending upon their tasks, but those partnering companies could also come in here and use the space either as a drop-in workspace or as a showcase for their products. There are still relatively few formal showrooms in and around Manchester, so this provides a perfect space for those companies to bring their clients in to show off their products in a working environment.’

As you’ll see, in what is a relatively small space, Marcie – working alongside fit-out company Spatial and a myriad of generous suppliers – has been able to fit an awful lot in. Not that it feels cramped or crowded. ‘First and foremost this is a working space – and somewhere we regularly bring our own clients to, therefore it couldn’t just

be a showroom where we simply wedged as many products as we could into.'

As you walk into the new-look space, you are met by biophilic branding and cool breakout seating. Moving into the open ground floor, the kitchen area has been opened up and dramatically modernised, while Mix staff and clients alike now have a fantastic variety of soft seating and collaborative tables to work at. The far end of the ground floor features a beautifully remodelled boardroom/formal meeting room, complete with elegant William Hands joinery, and a stylish Era pod for quiet focused work, semi-formal twoperson meetings and private phone calls.

Moving upstairs, into the heart of the Mix universe, the bench-style systems furniture by Imperial and task seating have been updated, revamped and massively improved, providing the team with ergonomic, functional and stylish work settings. Much needed central storage is topped with more of that lovely biophilic design, while also acting as a visual divide from the new informal collaboration space at the far end of the mezzanine, which comes complete with a brilliant oversized table and a variety of complementary soft seating.

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Heading back downstairs, the bathrooms have been completely reworked, complete with cool finishes, sleek sanitary ware and a bespoke Mix Interiors feature wall, while a smart shower has also been added for those who like to run, cycle and gym.

'I think it’s a shame when you see beautifully tiled shower areas in offices with white plastic electric shower boxes stuck on the walls,' Marcie considers.

'Traditionally this has been the only showering solution in commercial premises without gas fired boilers, however the guys at Stiebel Eltron have developed an instantaneous electric water heater that creates sufficient pressure to run our Hansgrohe thermostatic shower.'

‘We’re really proud of the new space,’ Marcie smiles, ‘and the reaction from our partners has been incredibly positive. We’re still exploring all the new elements we have here – and I’m sure they can only help us to work better, smarter and happier! It really is win/win for everyone. We love the idea that our friends and colleagues can and will pop in to see us – and show off their brilliant products.’ w

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Leading UK furniture manufacturer

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Photography: Carl Sukonik Andrew Livesey

t 01685 352222

sales@triumphfurniture.com

www.triumphfurniture.com

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Value Added

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ver the last 15 or so years the workplace offering has developed massively.

With that, products have also become increasingly complex and refined – to the point where some pieces could be considered works of art. However, is there a danger of believing the hype and being convinced that the emperor is wearing the finest gowns? While there is a far more sophisticated landscape throughout new workplaces, we also find that new furniture systems and task chairs are actually less complex in their DNA and manufacturing. Fewer parts, fewer levers and knobs – but that means, in many cases, that far more is designed into them.

High-profile schemes have defined the workplace market and will continue to win awards and accolades but, as we all know, the vast majority of the market wants (and needs) to see value for money alongside great design.

These businesses are being run by leaders who want a unique

workplace – but like all their other decisions, want to add value (not just cut cost). So, is it time we stop ‘value engineering’ and look more closely at truly sustainable, robust, design-led furniture solutions?

Has the specification process changed? What’s at the very top of the list of priorities when it comes to workplace furniture solutions?

We headed to Imperial’s Manchester showspace, together with a handpicked panel of industry experts, to discuss the issues affecting businesses when it comes to workplace transformation. We begin by asking our guests, in a time of economic instability, how great the opportunity is for workplace transformation for forward-thinking businesses in the sector and key clients from the residential, hospitality and commercial sectors.

The aim of the debate was to try to attempt to double-guess how the workplaces and hotels will look and feel in five years’ time. Here’s a taste of what proved to be a fascinating discussion…

Roundtable

THE DISCUSSION Mel: We’ve obviously seen a massive change over the past 10 years from cellular offices to open plan and now to somewhere in-between. There is a big trend for tech companies coming through who require these innovative spaces but we still have a lot of clients – financial and legal firms – who still require cellular offices and more enclosed spaces.

We’re currently working with a mix of the two and seeing both styles of workplace.

that older people can – they are less able to focus.

The opportunity’s huge because I don’t think we’ve reached the point where businesses understand exactly what people want from the space. I think there’s going to be a collision between the big old tankers of space and the small, nimble boats – and we’re going to see this ‘terrorist activity’ occurring, which is really, really important in terms of moving the workplace forward.

Atul: I think there’s currently a huge opportunity because I think open plan as we know it has gone. People need more cellular content. The younger generation want privacy – they want to be themselves within a space rather than a tiny entity in a massive space. They want their own space when they need it – and they want it to be on tap.

They can’t think in an open space in the same way

Lucy: Again, I think the opportunity is huge right now. Like Mel was saying, we’ve completed offices for a call centre and, at the same time, for a highprofile law firm. The call centre was completely open plan and the law firm was completely cellular – although both clients completely embraced flexible working, agile working and alternative workspaces.

Although the lawyers had cellular offices, they

The younger generation want privacy – they want to be themselves within a space rather than a tiny entity in a massive space

In Association with

imperial Office

furniture

Roundtable

still needed breakout spaces and collaboration spaces – not just traditional meeting spaces. Both of these projects were new builds, but we also have a Heritage Team at Sheppard Robson and we do find that the existing builds in Manchester certainly bring their own challenges because you’ve got a set space, which is invariably not even in shape and has lots of nooks and crannies. Clients really like these spaces. To get them to really work you need to introduce that variety of facilities – collaboration spaces, quiet working spaces, tea points etc.

For both existing buildings and new builds, the opportunities are definitely there right now.

Andrew: I’m a lighting designer, so I have a slightly different view and slightly different stresses! We have seen a massive change though. We did a project for a major bank – we did three floors for them approximately eight years ago. It was very rigid and it followed their US standards. Around three years later they brought us back to do another floor. They wanted to introduce a ‘funky’ area but for us to also do the open plan space as standard.

Then, just last year, we did yet another floor for them and they immediately asked us, ‘What’s out there? What can we do differently?’ That’s the same client! So, over seven years, they have changed massively in how they approach the space. The other thing we’ve seen – and we’ve been saying this for years and years – is not lighting a spec office at all. You’re meant to light a space for people – not light an empty space. I gave a talk to some agents in Birmingham a little while back and they let us have the 1st floor of the building for the event – which hadn’t been let. It reached the point in the talk where I wanted to say ‘Stop lighting empty spec offices’ – and I thought I was going to have to slightly insult the person whose office this was, but decided to take the risk. At this point, he said, ‘Strangely, we’ve not done this on the other eight floors and we’ve leased them all – but we cannot lease this floor and we’re now thinking about taking out what we originally put in!’

Richard: The transformation over the last five years has been huge. Going back to what Lucy was saying, ‘bums on seats’ was the overriding theme five years ago. Now we find there is so much demand for social spaces and breakout areas – to make the office environment more friendly, to make people want to come to work, to support health and

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Even Google moved away from that original ‘Google’ office. Strangely, I think this did a lot for our industry

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wellbeing. For a company like ours, the opportunity is massive. We need to keep moving with the times – and we need to listen to the specifiers to learn and to understand exactly what’s happening in terms of workplace transformation.

Leanne: As a commercial interior and branding practice we do get to see all walks of life. I think workplace is still predominantly seen as ‘the office space’ – but actually it’s pretty much anywhere that people go to work. This has given us a real insight into a lot of very different environments that have benefitted from and really enjoyed that cross-pollination. If anything, when I first started to go out and look for workplace design projects, the first thing that came to us was that there was a big change occurring – but this was often only occurring on the back of a major company or brand making those first major waves – such as Google.

I can’t stand that! This is absolutely no disrespect to Google – that company is a massive machine!

The workplace has to facilitate its inhabitants – and why does a small business over here think it needs the same facilities as Google? Even Google moved away from that original ‘Google’ office. Strangely, I think this did a lot for our industry. We were able to explain to them what they needed and how they needed to work – and that they didn’t have to sit in a boat to get their work done! That’s not understanding how you make people productive.

One thing I will say is that what this has done is open a lot of doors in terms of opening clients’ minds – which means you can challenge them in a way that you couldn’t years ago.

James: I set up on my own three years ago purely to focus on human-centred spaces – I’m very passionate about giving people want they need and not what everybody else has got. Every company is different – they’ve got their own unique brand and their own unique way of working. We undertake a rigid, long, human-centred design workshop, where

we get to know the brand and dig really deep into every element of the business – that’s important to us because, when we do a spaceplan, it has to be done on the needs of the users. Not every client can afford to do this – but it’s important to explain to the client that it’s the people who build a business, not the CEO. If you give the people what they want, people will respond, they will work on the why – the reason these big businesses are so successful is that their people know why they’re working for the business. They’ve got the why right. They’re passionate about what they do and why they are doing what they do. That’s why every interior we’ve done is so different. There are always going to be people who need to go to work – there just simply aren’t enough unique spaces and inspirational ideas out there. You constantly see the same M&E, the same lighting – it’s so frustrating.

Andrew: That’s really interesting – who’s really driving that? We’ve got a project at the moment

In Association with

imperial Office

furniture

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There are always going to be people who need to go to work – there just simply aren’t enough unique spaces and inspirational ideas out there

where it’s the architect and interior designer who are driving the lighting scheme. They are veering towards a fairly dated scheme and I keep telling them so – but I know that if I continue to keep telling them, I might not get any more work out of them!

So what are the other key words that our guests are hearing from their clients?

Leanne: Is that not about education? From a CPD point of view, it’s their responsibility to have got you in the room in the first place, so they understand what’s new and innovative.

Atul: We hear the word ‘unique’ a lot – but that might be because of where we position ourselves and what it is we do for our clients. Clients are driven by the fact that they might be losing good people or can’t recruit – they’re not necessarily asking the question or understanding why that is, but it undoubtedly has a massive influence on what they do to change that. Some businesses don’t relate it to this at all. They don’t want what everybody else already has. It’s often easier to talk to people about what they don’t want and what they could have if they understand what their business stands for.

Andrew: The client has us there as a separate appointment – as a lighting designer. We should be doing the lighting design – but they want it as a uniform grid lighting scheme. They’re lighting the space and not lighting for people!

Mel: I think that clients are becoming more aware and more intelligent when it comes to the industry.

Wellbeing is definitely ‘up there’ when it comes to what they want – many of our clients want to attain those wellbeing standards because they feel that will help attract the right people. I think that helps dictate the look and feel of a lot of these spaces.

Lucy: Coworking is something we hear a lot – so the WeWork model.

Leanne: So many people fall into that trap of creating an office that looks like somebody else’s brand – without understanding the reasons behind it. You need a much more holistic approach.

Atul: And people are now dropping the word ‘office’ – they’re talking about ‘their place’. I think that’s really important.

Andrew: It is no longer about an office – it’s about understanding what people really need.

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Roundtable

THANKS FOR THE DISCUSSION!

Atul Bansal, Regional Director, Sheila Bird Group

Melanie Zarins Associate Director, tp bennett

Andrew Bissell, Director of Lighting Design, Cundall

Lucy Durkan, Senior Interior Designer, ID:SR Sheppard Robson

Atul Bansal, the Co-Founder of the Sheila Bird Group, epitomises his motto, ‘love what you do’ and breathes life and love into every one of his projects. Known for his magnetic energy, his creativity and frank and honest approach, he understands the effects workspaces have on teams and a business.

Melanie is a highly valued, creative member of the design team, working on commercial office and hospitality sector projects. Melanie has developed her experience with tp bennett, working with clients such as Bruntwood, Push Doctor and CBRE. Having also worked in the UAE, she has worked with a variety of cultures and budgets, offering cutting edge solutions with commercial appeal, ranging from contemporary new builds to sensitive refurbishments.

Andrew created and heads up Cundall Light4. With each project, his principle goal is the delivery of a lighting design that embraces the client’s ethos and history, integrates with detail into the architecture and interior design and enhances the wellbeing of every user and

Lucy joined ID:SR in 2016 after a number of years working on prestigious projects in the UK. She is a strong designer and an experienced project leader for award-winning schemes across the residential, commercial and

James Christian Scott Studio Director, Cube 8 Studio

Leanne Wookey Director, NoChintz

Richard Arnold Director, Imperial Office Furniture

James Christian Scott has been designing beautiful, functional and meaningful spaces for over 18 years; driven by an obsession with human wellness and the needs of the employees within a workplace environment. He believes people’s needs, wellbeing and experiences should be at the heart of every workplace, and so Cube 8 Studio was formed in 2016 to focus on doing just that.

Leanne has worked with the country’s leading property management groups and commercial developers alike to deliver inspiring spaces for employees across the country.

She has been key in developing the studio's portfolio into a multi-award-winning full-service design practice with a focus on commercial interior design and branding.

Richard has been Sales Director for Imperial for the past 15 years. He thoroughly enjoys his role within the company and is passionate about the new Manchester showroom, where he spends the majority of his time attending to dealer partner visits and supporting a host of functions, using his vast knowledge of the industry to its full potential, helping develop ideas and plans for both space effectiveness and cost effectiveness.

encourages social interaction. A particular focus is anticipating change and making use of the latest research and materials where appropriate.

education sectors. Lucy has a sound knowledge of the current drivers for projects, and what is needed to deliver exemplar, world-class facilities.

In Association with

imperial Office

furniture

Preview | Surface Design Show

A bit of us – on the surface For more than 10 years, Surface Design Show has been the place where industry professionals immerse themselves in the latest materials for the built environment, gain new insights and network with like-minded designers, architects and suppliers.

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urface Design Show 2019, which runs from 5th-7th February, will host over 150 exhibitors, highlighting the very best in exterior and interior surface design. Taking place at Islington’s Business Design Centre, the show will provide a platform to explore interior and exterior surface materials, lighting design, development and innovation. Visitors will uncover thousands of new materials, from the latest technological advances in building materials to innovative workplace surfaces and everything in between.

Each year the show provides a focus on particular areas of design, helping to highlight the materials that most benefit these environments. This year, especially interesting for us, the focus will be on the Workplace and Public Realm, both of which have a great impact on our daily lives. of course. Workplace design not only enhances the aesthetics of our workspaces but also the productivity, health and wellbeing of employees. Surface designs, including acoustic,

flooring and lighting, are all vital to the design of a well thought-out workplace.

Exhibitors highlighting the latest in surface advances for the workplace will include Freund, who will be bringing nature inside. Experience moss, barks and many more materials for a biophilic interior design of modern workspaces. Products include individual moss walls, such as Evergreen Moss Premium, which highlight spaces and do not require any light, watering or feeding.

SIBU DESIGN is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, synthetic design panels that have been specially developed for interior, furniture, architectural and display design purposes. Design meets function in the SIBU I BOARD COLLECTION, which makes fashionable SIBU DESIGN patterns available on ready-pressed MDF boards, perfect for the workplace.

Armourcoat is the market-leading manufacturer and specialist contractor of decorative surface finishes. Armourcoat’s Acoustic Plaster System

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is designed to optimise the acoustics of interior spaces, as the correct control of sound can create a calmer and more pleasant environment, which is of huge importance in the workplace.

This year’s Surface Design Show also features nearly 40 talks from over 50 industry professionals, with a number of them focusing on design within the workplace. These include ‘The Office of the Future: Virtual or Virtuous’, which takes place on Wednesday 6th February from 11:45am – 12:30pm on the Main Stage. This session will see Studio TILT’s Oliver Marlow meeting architectural correspondent Veronica Simpson to discuss how the configurations of interiors can assist a more fluid, creative and effective way of operating.

The Light Talks theatre will host Benz Roos on Wednesday 6th February, 3:00 – 3:45pm, where he will discuss ‘Lighting for the Workplace in 2050’. The talk will explore illumination requirements for the future as, in 2050, people might well be working in virtual reality environments and will therefore need different illumination.

Phil Copland and Martina Alagna, lighting designers from Nulty+, will be taking ‘A Moonlight Walk in the Workplace’ from 2:00 – 2:45pm at part of Light Talks on Thursday 7th February.

From 11:45am – 12:30pm on Thursday 7th February, our old mate Oliver Heath will be presenting ‘The Science and Style of Biophilic Design; improving the human connection with nature; improving spaces for people, productivity and the planet’ on the Main Stage.

The Opening Night Debate returns from 6:30pm on the first day of the Show, Tuesday 5th February.

Organised in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and New London Architecture (NLA), the debate will explore ‘Factory-

Preview | Surface Design Show

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3 made Housing: is this the solution to building better homes long term?’ The panel will be chaired by Peter Murray of NLA, with speakers Ben Derbyshire of HTA Design and RIBA President, Carl Vann of Pollard Thomas Edwards and Hazel Rounding of ShedKM. The ever-popular PechaKucha Evening, hosted by Chris Dyson of Chris Dyson Architects, will take place on 6th February from 6:30pm. Presenters will discuss ‘Identities and Boundaries: site specific responses to modern architecture’ in an exciting and inspiring format using 20 images, each discussed for 20 seconds.

Since 2013, the show has hosted the Surface Design Awards, now recognised as one of the most respected events in the design calendar. The 2019 awards received entries from across Europe, the

4 USA, Australia, China, Korea and India. The shortlist consists of an impressive 43 projects across seven categories. Finalists include the Expensify Office by ZGF Architects and Pure + FreeForm. The unique office space was designed to reflect Expensify’s company signature ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ work setting. Also shortlisted is The Veil by Giles Miller Studio & Orms, a 17 metre solid brass sculpture suspended across a London reception.

The awards presentation will take place on the morning of Thursday 7th February. Tickets to the presentation are available via the Surface Design Show website.

Registration for Surface Design Show is now open.

Go to www.surfacedesignshow.com

1. Expensify Office by ZGF Architects 2. Armourcoat 3. Freund 4. The Veil by Giles Miller Studio & Orms 5. SIBU DESIGN

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Review | Mix Design Collective

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ndustry friends, supporters and clients enjoyed a fabulous three days at the inaugural Mix Design Collective in association with Bruntwood back in early December. A great turnout of guests immersed themselves in the live working zones created by our wonderful designers and partners, and also ensured it was standing room only for the vast majority of our superb programme of seminars, created specifically for the event. It goes without saying that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to those incredible teams and creative minds who made Mix Design Collective such a success – and a huge thank you should also go to all of you who visited – we hope you had a great time and gained some valuable insights into the trends and hot topics of the brilliant sector we’re all part of.

The three-day workplace design event, created as part of Mix Week Manchester, celebrated the best national and international product design, showcased

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in a series of live working zones, each curated by a leading design practice.

The six immersive zones were Heart Space, New Analogue, Health & Wellbeing, Engage, Escape and Smart & Connected.

The talented designers collaborated with our product partners to create one-off spaces inspired by the themes.

The fascinating seminar programme, housed in FaulknerBrowns’ Engage space, included thoughtprovoking subjects such as The Future of CAT A – Not So Fancy After All, in association with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, a MixInspired event titled Coworking – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and the current hot potato that is WELL Building Standards.

We are currently working towards the 2019 Mix Design Collective – so keep your eyes peeled for further info in future issues.

Review | Mix Design Collective

Engage FaulknerBrowns Architects' approach was to illustrate how engagement is delivered on many levels – physical, virtual, psychological and cultural. In a modern workplace, there is much debate about the networks, codes and sequence that structure our working lives. It is these networks and codes that create the design rules for the built environment. With this in mind, the Engage space has been structured around a series of physical, virtual and sensory networks.

Good to have a credible design event in Manchester

Great way to meet people in the industry, the seminars were very informative and the exhibition rooms were great for seeing new products in situ

The idea could be expanded..... I enjoyed the seminars, the chats and the designs from the various practices

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Designed by

Steve Dickson, Senior Director, FaulknerBrowns Architects

Review | Mix Design Collective

Escape The tp bennett Manchester team showcased their 'place to escape' experience at Mix Design Collective. This was a place that challenges the normal working environment.

The team created an inviting, calming and multi-functional space away from screens and sedentary environments. The experience promotes wellbeing, giving employees a space to switch off, recharge and reinvigorate themselves. Each user, before they enter, can adapt the space to match their mood, including music choice and lighting personalisation.

Great to have an event where different 'brands' are brought together (more like an actual project) as opposed to the usual 'own stand' scenario

It's a great opportunity to learn from peers and suppliers within the industry

Great to see a variety of products, experiences and seminars! Didn't feel like an exhibition as such, it gave you a clear visual of how products can be displayed in spaces. Excellent!

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Designed by

Melanie Zarins, Associate Director, tp bennett

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Review | Mix Design Collective

Heart Space Curated by Incognito, Heart Space is our live showcase environment for some of 2018's most notable products from the Mix Design Collective partners. It provides a place to meet and relax between experiences, a place to interact with an exclusive collection of furniture and materials.

New, quality, creative... just plain old good

Great event, well attended, with a good mix of people

I thought the originality of the designs was inspiring and very useful to see the different creations in one venue

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Curated by

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QUALITY SINCE 1948

Simon Millington, Commercial Interior Designer, Incognito

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Review | Mix Design Collective

Health & Wellbeing Designed by Hassell, Health & Wellbeing is a spatial experience. A series of chambers will highlight how the urban workplace can overstimulate our senses and affect productivity. But, through emotive design, we can influence a more mindful and adaptable experience to support wellbeing through choice.

It's not something that happens in the north often. Usually have to visit Clerkenwell for something similar

Fantastically immersive, like no other design event. Collaborative to the core, it was inspiring!

The zones worked very well and gave a good overview of products and services available. The talks also had a good panel of speakers

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Designed by

Partners

Catherine van der Heide, Senior Associate, Hassell

Review | Mix Design Collective

New Analogue Designed by Gensler, New Analogue will see an entire space dedicated to human interaction and collaboration without the distraction of technology. The rise of the analogue office is forecast to become as important as technology, allowing for work to happen anywhere without the need for offices – other than for social interaction.

Good source of inspiration in one place.

Talks were interesting and informative

A great chance for companies within the industry to network and learn from one another

I would recommend. It was a great product showcase, giving great ideas on where design is going. The seminars were also very on topic and gave great insight into current issues

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Review | Mix Design Collective

Designed by

Gurtake Singh, Interior Designer, Gensler

Partners

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Review | Mix Design Collective

Smart & Connected Smart & Connected, designed by Michael Laird Architects, is a space that will demonstrate how technology can be used to enhance the individual experience. Apps control the immediate environment to your personal preferences. A virtual reality pod tests how the future creative person can enter into their own zone. A variety of comfortable and ergonomically designed furniture settings help switch off the surrounding 'noise' and create an individualised bubble.

It was an excellent showcase for new products and technologies, workplace thinking and design

I thought it was an original, inspiring and creative event featuring a great combination of manufacturers and designers. Great to have a design-led event in Manchester too!

Great to see new products and how they would be used

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Review | Mix Design Collective

Designed by

Esther Ferrier, Interior Designer, Michael Laird Architects

Partners

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Review | Mixology North18

PARK AND RIDE

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ollowing an amazing three days of the inaugural (and, we’re delighted to say, incredibly successful) Mix Design Collective, we all moved the few hundred yards from Innside to Manchester Central for, of course, Mixology North 2018.

Not only were we able to welcome a record number of guests – breaking that 1,000 barrier in the process – we also had a record number of people up on stage; more winners and more supporting artists – in the shape of the influential Hacienda DJ, Graeme Park, together with his Long Live House Orchestra, who delivered not just an incredible post-ceremony set, but also played live stings throughout the awards themselves.

Speaking of awards, the big winners on the night were FaulknerBrowns Architects and The Senator

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Group. Not only did both pick up multiple awards, they also scooped the two ‘biggies’ – Design Practice of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year respectively.

With a spectacular jungle theme (complete with waterfall), those ever-popular fairground rides and amazing live dance acts, meant our guests were spoilt for choice when it came to entertainment.

We know we say this every year, but we were delighted to receive record numbers of awards entries and, in our humble opinion, the highest standard of entries we’ve ever placed in front of our expert judging panel.

Thank you to all our guests, our sponsors, to all those companies who entered the awards and to everyone who gave their support, time, efforts and no little talent to help raise the Mixology North bar even further!w

Review | Mixology North18

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Review | Mixology North18

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Review | Mixology North18

Thanks to our sponsors

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THE WINNERS

PRODUCT: FLOORING WINNER: Ege Carpets SPONSORED BY: Gresham

PRODUCT: TASK FURNITURE WINNER: Senator SPONSORED BY: Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd

PRODUCT: SURFACES WINNER: Havwoods International SPONSORED BY: Ikon Furniture

PRODUCT: LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY ACCESSORIES WINNER: Humanscale SPONSORED BY: Visavvi

PRODUCT: LOOSE FURNITURE WINNER: Allemuir SPONSORED BY: Camira

PRODUCT: LOOSE FURNITURE WINNER: sixteen3 SPONSORED BY: Camira

FURNITURE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR WINNER: Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd SPONSORED BY: Colebrook Bosson Saunders

PROJECT: HOSPITALITY & LEISURE INTERIORS WINNER: NoChintz SPONSORED BY: Cosentino

PROJECT: RESTAURANT & BAR INTERIORS WINNER: Faber SPONSORED BY: Ardmac Performance Contracting

PROJECT: SMALL COMMERCIAL INTERIORS WINNER: ingo interiors SPONSORED BY: Connection

PROJECT: MEDIUM COMMERCIAL INTERIORS WINNER: FaulknerBrowns Architects SPONSORED BY: Staverton UK

PROJECT: LARGE COMMERCIAL INTERIORS WINNER: Bluesky Design SPONSORED BY: Forbo Flooring Systems

PROJECT: PUBLIC SECTOR INTERIORS WINNER: 74 SPONSORED BY: orangebox

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR WINNER: The Senator Group SPONSORED BY: Penketh Group

DESIGN PRACTICE OF THE YEAR WINNER: FaulknerBrowns Architects SPONSORED BY: KI

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from the Ocee Winter Collection.

NEW Four®Stools and FourReal®Wood...

20 Old Street Clerkenwell EC1V 9AB www.oceedesign.com @OceeDesign

THE PHOTOBOOTH Sponsored by

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cutting edge products

architectural lighting

support and advice decorative lighting

MANCHESTER SHOWROOM 2 COMMERCIAL STREET, MANCHESTER

WWW.ENIGMALIGHTING.COM

find us in new analogue & escape mix design collective

Review | Mixology North18 Projects

PROJECT ALMANAC W

e’re not mentioning the ‘B’ word, however despite all the uncertainty and political confusion, our sector has quite literally carried on regardless. If you want a great example of this bulldog spirit, you only need to take a look at the amazing numbers of project entries that flooded into Mix Towers for last December’s Mixology North awards.

We’d like to have compiled a review where we featured each and every one, however, so large were the

numbers of entries and shortlisters that we only have space for a selection of those who were recognised by our expert panel of judges.

When we say recognised, we even introduced an exciting new innovation to this year's awards. Due to the exceptional quality, our judges felt that a number of entries deserved more than merely being highly commended – and instead were presented with something far more tangible (and desirable); a Mix Merit. Enjoy.

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Small Commercial Interiors 1. Dragonfly Contracts Ltd – Eagle Lab Manchester Welcoming Barclays into Union House, Eagle Lab Manchester offers an incredible and unique collaborative workspace, inviting and uniting all workers both socially and professionally. A brand new ground floor café space and unique auditorium have helped produce a place that Eagle Lab Manchester can call home.

4. OBI – Douglas Scott OBI has created a workspace for Douglas Scott which reflects the legal recruitment firm’s core values and reputation while encouraging collaboration among the team. The company’s identity was the key part of the design and colour pallet. This was done by creating a feature wall in the heart of the office space and gave the staff a sense of belonging.

2. HLM – Balfour Beatty Leeds The design and delivery of Balfour Beatty’s new Leeds office is the first project to come through the Design Guide programme, which HLM also developed with the client. The new space captures a change in design style and approach to working for this leading construction company.

5 . Opus 4 – SmartSearch, Ilkley SmartSearch had outgrown their Guiseley office. They identified a new building in Ilkley, which would give them room to grow. The new space needed to attract and retain talent, and represent the new values and culture of the business. They turned to Opus 4 to design and deliver this outstanding project.

3. ingo interiors – Halton Housing, Waterfront Point Ingo Interiors translated Halton Housing’s desire to change their working environment with all staff on one site; somewhere to come together to interact with each other. Ingo has created a place that reflects Halton's culture – a modern, dynamic housing business that leads at the forefront of traditional innovation and potential.

6. Ovo Spaces – Terminal Warehouse This Grade II listed Victorian Warehouse has been beautifully restored by Ovo Spaces and transformed into an open plan studio with adjoining multifunctional event space, and includes their very own designed and commissioned wide beam barge, which echoes the history of these incredible buildings in Sheffield’s Canal Basin.

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7. RLB – One King Street RLB wanted to create a space that staff and visitors would take pride and ownership of. The Manchester design team were keen to ensure the office had a distinct ‘nod’ towards Manchester – and thus, the general theme of the office merges a prescriptive corporate identity with a heavy local influence.

8. SpaceInvader – The Green Sand Foundry The Green Sand Foundry is the brilliant new Leeds home to SpaceInvader & Ralph Capper, a creative hub designed to bring together designers, technicians, furniture designers and consultants to collaborate within one space.

9. tp bennett – CBRE, Manchester Relocating 130 staff to the new building was driven

by CBRE’s desire to create a more efficient working culture and welcoming space for clients, with the new workspace representing a significant step change for them, projecting a different culture and representation of the business.

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10. Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) – Kirkstall Forge This was a prestigious project for Ultimate to deliver, being CEG’s first flagship office development in a new community, featuring retail, leisure and community spaces. The project was intricate, with many bespoke details, while the programme was also very fast track – but the 16-week project was delivered both on time and on budget.

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Review | Mixology North18 Projects

Medium Commercial Interiors

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4. OBI – A0.com Baskerville House is a classic example of late 1960’s brutalist architecture, which OBI wanted to celebrate and enhance, whilst also ensuring the AO.com ethos of sustainability and a people-centric culture was front and centre. The design approach was to have an honest response to the building fabric, exposing the columns and soffits, complementing them with natural finishes that reflected both the concrete structure and nature.

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3. FaulknerBrowns – CEF IT HQ, Janet Nash House Janet Nash House represents a major investment for City Electrical Factors. For the first time all of the IT teams and creative marketing teams have been brought together within one state-of-the-art office.

Rich with various workplace environments, the building promotes activity based working.

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2. Cube 8 Studio – Sorted Group Cube 8 Studio have designed an environment that focuses on people’s ways of working, using natural materials and embodying the company’s DNA into the physical environment. By doing this they have not only increased productivity – and attraction by 50% – but have also uplifted people’s mood, emotions, happiness, health and wellbeing.

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1. CONCORDE BGW – Daniel Thwaites PLC Head MIX MERIT 2018 Office and Brewery Concorde BGW was briefed to create an exciting interior scheme and to make the most of the new rural site for Thwaites. They successfully designed a concept that included the full internal specification, supply and installation of decorative features and furniture, as well as the fit-out of a new training pub, cellar, conference and tack room.

5. SpaceInvader – CEG Kirkstall Forge Number One Kirkstall Forge, home to the CEG office, designed by SpaceInvader, has won both a regional and national BCO Award for Commercial Workplace.

BCO judges praised the way in which the building’s design pulls the outside in, creating a modern office, which makes the most of its truly inspiring location.

6. SPATIAL OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS – CarFinance 247 'A beautifully cohesive design which manages to bring together the best workplace practices in supporting the employees' work, lifestyle and mental wellbeing. When you get a great client with a clear brief, you get this amazing outcome,' says Christina Belkacem, Head of Interior Design.

7. tp bennett – Push Doctor Founded in 2014, Push Doctor now totals circa 130 employees, with this new space providing an environment that feeds the business’s activities, and puts clients and staff at heart of the culture within a tech-driven atmosphere, where creativity is harnessed.

8. TSK Group – Kellogg’s HQ, Salford Quays TSK created a vibrant, flexible headquarters for Kellogg's that supports their progressive ambitions and objectives for cultural change. The new space fosters a collaborative, positive environment, with new ways of working for employees to feel inspired, whilst delighting customers and consumers, blending the brand's legacy with the Kellogg’s of tomorrow.

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Review | Mixology North18 Projects

Large Commercial Interiors

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5 1. 5plus architects – 101 Barbirolli Square This project has seen 5plus transform a failing office building, which no longer met modern occupier requirements, into a prestigious new workplace capable of attracting leading tenants and achieving top-tier rents. A simple palette of colours, combined with high quality furniture and finishes, delivers an understated yet professional new office environment.

2. Bluesky Design Interiors – Npower Leeds Npower engaged Bluesky for this ambitious project to refit and refurbish accommodation for its consolidated workforce in Leeds. The design includes a number of green solutions and a variety of flexible innovations, including open plan soft areas and soundproof pods to facilitate communication and collaboration.

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3. ID:SR Sheppard Robson – Bupa Place Featuring interiors by ID:SR Sheppard Robson, Bupa Place is a 148,000 sq ft project split over six floors, with wellness and productivity the foundation for Bupa's new home in the north.

4. iDEA – Bank of New York Mellon, One Piccadilly Gardens In 2017, the Bank Of New York Mellon celebrated it's 50th year of business in the UK and iDEA were tasked to reimagine their Manchester offices. They created a flagship workspace to act as a global facility, fit for the future.

6 5. OBI – Canada House The £3 million transformation of the 70,000 sq ft Grade II Listed Canada House has revealed and restored lost architectural features and fittings. OBI have complemented these features with a new, fresh design, which has created a thoroughly modern office environment.

6. SpaceInvader – Zenith Zenith Vehicle Contracts showcases the flagship office development at Kirkstall Forge in Leeds, lauded as a benchmark in design, quality, flexibility and efficiency in commercial workspace in Yorkshire.

The new space is across the top three floors of the development and includes spectacular roof level meeting rooms.

Review | Mixology North18 Projects

Public Sector Interiors 1. 74 – Hox Haus 74 imagined Hox Haus from a derelict Grade II listed, two-storey, Victorian brick building set in a semirural location, just outside Egham. The repurposed Victorian gymnasium has been brought back to life as the Gatehouse for the wider Hox Park’student campus, newly-created by developers Moorfield Group for students attending Royal Holloway, University of London. The clubhouse serves as a vibrant social, study amenity space and a centrepiece to the park.

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2. 5plus architects – Southway Housing Trust 5plus has adopted a no-compromise approach to the refurbishment of this dated office, the overarching approach being to mend the building and give it a new lease of life as the home of Southway Housing Trust.

Flexibility and collaboration underpinned every design decision, with the brief informed through extensive stakeholder consultation.

3. CPMG Architects – Teesside University Library The library is at the hub of the campus and is a focus for learning, research, collaboration and contemplation.

The key element of the library was the student experience, which was to be lively and inspiring. CPMG has created a space that provides diverse learning environments and contemporary design.

4. DAY Architectural – Rodney Street, The Business School, Liverpool John Moore’s University Liverpool John Moores University purchased 4-6 Rodney Street for the business school and was focused on providing a sophisticated historical restoration to a culturally important building in Liverpool. Aimed at post-graduates and industry professionals, this project looked to create something special in the portfolio.

5. FWP – LIFE LIFE (Learning Inspiration Future Employment) is a first of its kind. This training, education, experience centre facilitates 4-16 year olds, who will be immersed into a medical experience day. The aim was to provide education that is fun and will inspire the next generation to work in the NHS. 6. ID:SR Sheppard Robson – Cloth Hall Court, Leeds Beckett University Cloth Hall Court is a dedicated conference venue in Leeds city centre. The building’s cloth selling history inspired the refurbishment and design of each conference and boardroom. The main hall provides visitors with hospitality and refreshment facilities. ID:SR Sheppard Robson undertook the full refurbishment of this historically important building.

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Review |

SELECTIONS

A different perspective on colour INVISTA Antron carpet fibre’s fifth edition of its Antron Global Colour Trend Forecast, in conjunction with Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, focuses on carpet’s role in global design trends in 2019. Colours within the Global Colour Trend Forecast can now be found within INVISTA Antron Lumena carpet fibre, which provides carpets with permanent colour through a solution-dyed multi-hollow yarn. Standing up to wear and easy to maintain, the carpet fibre is used in some of the world’s most exclusive carpet designs and performs faultlessly in busy commercial spaces. www.antron.eu

Natural flair for commercial spaces DESSO Resonance is an exquisite design solution for sustainability-conscious organisations. The marbling effect creates a grand diagonal movement that effortlessly transforms public areas into breathtaking lobbies and corporate buildings into modern office masterpieces. Made from 100% ECONYL yarn – a regenerated nylon sourced from recovered waste materials such as fishing nets and carpet yarn from Tarkett’s Refinity recycling facility – Resonance pays homage to the beauty of organic movement in nature. www.desso.co.uk

www.antron.eu

A workplace that shifts mentality for KPMG Belgium Designed by Jaspers-Eyers Architects, the new headquarters of KPMG Belgium feature a domestic business environment using sustainable materials, including carpet tiles from modulyss. Proposing a biophilic design to complement the natural light and reflecting material abundant in the PassPort building, next to Brussels Airport, interior designer Natalie Schoonjans was tasked with developing the concept. Her idea was to make a fluid transition between three modulyss styles in the Handcraft collection – Moss, Leaf and Willow – running dynamically along the curved lines of the building. www.modulyss.com

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Cork flooring planks combine style, function and sustainability The 18 shades and patterns of the new cork collection from Quadrant align with biophilic design principles and offer phenomenal specs. The planks are made in Portugal from the bark of local trees that are neither cut nor felled.

In fact, the forests retain 5% of the country’s CO₂ emissions. Cork floors significantly reduce walking sound, with natural flexibility for extra comfort and boast air quality certifications including Greenguard and IAQ A+. www.quadmod.com

Review |

SELECTIONS

Granorte launches new collection at Domotex Innovator in cork, Granorte, used the world’s largest flooring exhibition, Domotex, to launch its defining TRENDCollection – a new collection of budget-tuned cork flooring available in four different styles. Responding to the market demands for an economical, quiet, comfortable, durable and easy to look after floor in a collection that’s also environmentally aware, TRENDCollection is ready to transform homes with beautiful cork flooring. www.granorte.co.uk

Spitfire Furniture landing soon Spitfire Furniture from Coatworks will soon be launching a family of vintage industrial designed furniture including coffee, lounge, desk and poser table ranges, available with steel and aluminium frames. Table top finishes include reclaimed distressed wood, hardwoods, linoleum and leather, while power and light options can also be specified. The industrial and aviation themed designs have been created by influential designers, with plans to expand the portfolio throughout 2019. www.coatworks.co.uk

Storage-top displays continue to be popular planting option UNILIN, division panels, is leading digital print directly onto its durable, high-quality melamine-faced wall panels with ClicWall Deco. ClicWall Deco provides a highperformance surface that can be personalised with a high-definition digital image, turning any wall into a true eye-catcher. Used successfully by retailers including Carrefour and hotels such as Marmotta Hotel and Auberge de la Ferme, ClicWall Deco can be used to create unique displays, shop-in-shop concepts and stylish feature walls that bring true individualism to any space. www.unilinpanels.com

Why nature matters The simplest things make a real difference – walking into work to the smell of freshly ground coffee, is a great example. Connecting with nature through green walls and plants is another. Biophilic design recognises that we are unconsciously connected to nature and that this connection can influence our physical and psychological health. Plants are one of the top five elements most wanted in the workplace and adding a touch of greenery can have positive benefits for employees helping to make their day ‘simply better’. www.vantagespaces.co.uk

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The Last Word | Opinion

FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO LOSE...

Criteo’s Head of Workplace Experience EMEA, Mike Walley, takes us on a journey back in time this month. We should warn any Millennials reading this (probably on your tablets) that this column may include 'tech' you've never heard of.

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Mike Walley is Criteo’s Head of Workplace Experience EMEA

recently read a news report about fax machines.

Unbelievably, it seems the NHS still has 900 fax machines in operation throughout the country. I was very surprised as it has been 10 years since they were high on the list of services we had to build into an office. Then I remembered how pivotal to business life they used to be before being killed off by scanners and email.

I remember how, first as an IT manger and then a workplace manager, the fax machine was a painful constant in life. The first ‘spam’ was fax spam. I remember coming to the office each morning to find yards of expensive fax paper on the floor, with adverts for office furniture, advice on building rates and even new fax machines! We couldn’t turn the machine off at the end of each day as, mixed in amongst this spam, would be documents we actually wanted.

Then I discovered a thing call the Fax Preference Service.

Apparently, you could send your fax number in and it would be added to (or taken off?) a list and you would receive no more spam faxes. I was very excited and gladly signed up.

Predictably, once I had sent the number in, the volume of spam increased so drastically we had to get a new phone number. Cyber security was absolutely not a thing back in the day.

But I digress. The whole fax thing got me thinking about what other staples of the workplace have gone, are about to go or could possibly go in the future – and the consequences this might have.

How about...the private office? Remember ‘the boss wants to see you in his office’? Nowadays, it is much more likely to be ‘Fred is looking for you. He says meet him for a latté in breakout area ‘Fandango’ near the ping pong table’.

I am generally a fan of the egalitarian approach to space usage, probably because I was too junior to be impacted when all the managers got evicted from their private offices in the name of open plan design. But we have been left with a problematic legacy. No one thought about how many meetings got held in those offices. So when they all got taken away, it effectively reduced the number of small meeting spaces, and the population competing for the remaining

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meeting rooms was increased by all those lost souls who had to learn how to book a room for ad hoc meetings that used to be held in their office. The fallout from this is only really getting addressed now, as we learn to build phone booths and focus rooms into our floorplans. A great example of unintended consequences, but I don’t see the private office making a return anytime soon. Not with real estate prices where they are today.

The telephone: By which I mean the big lump of plastic and circuit boards that is tied to the desk by a cable. I mean, really? Other than call centre workers, who actually uses a fixed landline now? We all have mobile phones. Even if you do use a landline to make an outgoing call, the second someone asks for the best number to get hold of you…we all reply with our mobile number. I most certainly do, as I am never at my desk (but that’s another article!). I think they are soon to join that list of (once) essential technologies that were wiped out by the smartphone. The e-waste guys are going to be buried in handsets soon.

The Ballpoint Pen: Ok, I am sticking my neck out on this one. But when I think about it, the only time I use a ballpoint pen is to take notes in a meeting. I am like an acolyte of Kim Jong Un in North Korea, ostentatiously noting down words of wisdom and action items to reinforce the fact I am listening and taking it all in. The truth is, I’d rather do it on my computer, as later I can never decipher what I have written.

The trouble is that everyone always assumes you are just doing your emails and not paying attention if you are typing during a meeting. We should also consider the environmental impact. A ballpoint pen is classic single-use plastic and the main manufacturer sells 14 million pens EVERY DAY. If we gave up taking notes in meetings we could have a major impact on the volume of plastic on the planet. I rather hope the writing is on the wall for the humble pen.

So, as we enter 2019, I am excited at all the possibilities the New Year holds, and curious to see if I will still be noting down someone’s landline number in a notebook with a ballpoint pen.

I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2019.w

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