Mix Interiors 197
September 2019
UPFRONT 10
32
Seven 22 Steve Gale 25 Perspective 27 Material Matters 29 Deser t Island Desks 30 Proper t y Insight 32
INSIDE
SPOTLIGHT 41 The Big Question 4 3 Health & Wellbeing 45
ROUNDTABLE 64 90
41
64
MIXINSPIRED RE VIE W 100
100 CASE ST UDIES 72 HSBC UK 72 Iris 80 Hyundai Card 90
PRE VIE W 106
London Design Festival 106
106
L AST WORD 114 Criteo's Head of Workplace E xperience, Mike Walley
Mix 197 September 2019 | 1
LooseLay Tile Inspired by the mineral appearance and raw pared-back style of concrete. Cool-arctic greys. Warm earthy slate. A mix of polished, sealed and rustic finishes in seven new designs. karndean.com/LooseLayTile2019
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Van Gogh Capturing naturally weathered timber inspired by French oak. Silvery tones. Blush grey. A mix of warm and cool, in six new designs.
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Upfront | Welcome
Mix Interiors 197
September 2019
A WORD FROM MICK THE COVER The logo Using the parallel linear lines of the structure, Conran and Partners have taken inspiration from the simplicity of the asymmetry and clean lines. The logo, minimal in design, is informed by the geometry of the structure without the distraction of colour or texture. www.conranandpartners.com
The cover The raw material of concrete and European oak has been the source of inspiration for Karndean Designflooring’s latest additions to their LooseLay and Van Gogh collections. The new designs provide architects and designers with a range of rustic and sleek finishes, combined with the premium quality expected from a Karndean floor. Courtesy of Karndean
BACK ISSUES Contact us to buy back issues: natasha@wearemixgroup.com
We’ve said it before – and no doubt we’ll say it again – but we’re incredibly fortunate to work with some of the smartest and most knowledgeable people in the sector – from talented designers to forward-thinking end users. One thing we hear, are told and then repeat is that ‘we’ must do more to help workplaces and businesses become more sustainable and environmentally aware. Well, we thought it was about time we started
plastic and being far more responsible when it comes to the furniture, finishes and tech we all use. That’s the very least a business such as ours should be doing though – and now you will have noticed a change in the way we deliver this fine periodical to your desks (if you still have a desk!). Now I know you’re all incredibly eager to get to your new issue of Mix, but I’m sure you’ve noticed that we’ve disposed (ethically) of the polybag,
doing something ourselves – rather than merely repeating the wise words of our friends and contributors. We wouldn’t want to be accused of hypocrisy. We have already made numerous changes to our workplace and working culture, installing a boiling/ cold water tap, pretty much eliminating single-use
replacing it with paper bags for distribution. This isn’t intended as a big pat on the back for us, or a smug ‘ooh, aren’t we so responsible’. We just wanted to practice what we preach – and thank those friends of ours who suggested we look into switching from plastic to paper in the first place. Hopefully, every little helps. Good catchphrase that!
GET IN TOUCH Editor Mick Jordan mick@wearemixgroup.com
Events Hester Talbot, Georgia Bone, Natasha Nelson
Managing Director Martin Mongan martin@wearemixgroup.com
Owner Marcie Incarico marcie@wearemixgroup.com
Director David Smalley david@wearemixgroup.com
Founding Publisher Henry Pugh
Business Development Manager Kate Borastero kate@wearemixgroup.com Business Development Manager Gary Williams gary@wearemixgroup.com Designer Tammi Bell tamzin@wearemixgroup.com Editorial & Marketing Executive Chloe Petersen Snell chloe@wearemixgroup.com Head of Events Julie Young julie@wearemixgroup.com
4 | Mix 197 September 2019
Contributors Steve Gale David Thame Mike Walley
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Address 85 Greengate, Manchester M3 7NA Telephone 0161 946 6262 e-mail editorial@wearemixgroup.com Website www.mixinteriors.com Twitter @mixinteriors Instagram @mix.interiors LinkedIn Mix Interiors
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ray soft The softer side of ‘Ray Collection’, ‘Ray Soft’ utilises 3 shell heights across 5 frame options, thus providing huge versatility for a wide range of settings.
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Dancing Wall Design: Stephan Hürlemann, 2018 The Original is by Vitra
Maximum flexibility in the PwC Experience Center In order to be able to respond to growth and structural changes, PwC Switzerland commissioned the architect and designer Stephan Hürlemann to develop a working environment that offers maximum flexibility for the new PwC Experience Center in Zurich. Hürlemann consequently created the ‘Dancing Office’ concept and designed the mobile partition elements Dancing Walls in collaboration with Vitra.
With Dancing Walls, employees can independently arrange and continuously adapt their work environment to create an ideal setting in a matter of seconds. Dancing Walls are not merely partition elements, but can also be configured as a bookcase, TV unit, coat rack, plant wall, whiteboard or pinboard. Equipped with castors and handles, the elements are agile and allow intuitive use – as well as maximum flexibility.
Watch the “Dancing Office”
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With carpet tile and LVT from IVC, the offices of South West Academic Health Science Network demonstrate our multidisciplinary approach to flooring for commercial environments.
Shared Path 924 Shared Path is a high-performance nylon carpet tile with a versatile textured pattern. Available in six colours, it’s part of the Art Style series of coordinating carpet tiles.
Disruptive Path 916 Adding extra ‘pop’, Disruptive Path builds on Shared Path’s textured pattern for a versatile accent tile. This highperformance nylon carpet tile is available in 12 colour combinations.
Shades 62220 With a 0.55mm wear layer and Protectonite® PUR, Shades 62220 is an LVT for high-wear commercial applications. Available as one of 12 striking looks from the Moduleo 55 Expressive collection.
Creative Spark 611 Creative Spark is a highly-competitive nylon loop-pile carpet tile available in 26 colours. Creative Spark coordinates with the Art Style series, working as a versatile mono-colour area tile.
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Upfront |
KEOGHS MAKES LONDON MOVE Keoghs has recently acquired almost 7,500 sq ft of workspace in London. The insurance-focused Top 50 law firm, which also has offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Southampton, Coventry and Glasgow, will move its 46 London-based staff into the fourth floor of Plantation Place South. Commercial real estate consultancy, OBI, acted for Keoghs on the acquisition, with the law firm having previously been based in managed workspace at Holland House in London. Alex Hodgson, Chief Financial Officer of Keoghs, said, ‘We are delighted to have secured space as a base to service our clients’ needs and to create a permanent work environment for our people. This move reflects our commitment to meeting the demand from our clients for our services to be offered from within the City of London. We first opened in London in January 2017 and now have a headcount of 46 in the City, delivering products and services supporting insurers’ risks in areas including professional indemnity, reinsurance, healthcare, property and regulatory.’ OBI employs 32 people and provides advice to clients across its multi-discipline services, which include leasing investment, office acquisitions, business relocations, interiors design and project management. Commenting on the acquisition, Paul Mills, Transactions & Asset Management at OBI, said: ‘We were delighted to continue our relationship with Keoghs, who we have represented in Manchester, Bolton, Glasgow, Southampton, Coventry and Liverpool. Plantation Place South is an impressive workspace building in the heart of the City and reflects the premium service offering that Keoghs provides.’ Cushman & Wakefield and Newton Perkins, as joint agents, represented the landlord.w Plantation Place South, London
Santander Digital Hub, Milton Keynes
DIGITAL HUB GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION The Santander Digital Hub, a landmark new workplace in Milton Keynes, has been granted planning permission by Milton Keynes Council. Proposed by global developer, Osborne+Co, and designed by LOM architecture and design, the campus will be a centre for digital banking innovation, nurturing collaboration and wellbeing in the workplace and enhancing the city with
community, providing a publicly accessible retail, food and beverage space, a community hall and coworking space. Sustainability and staff wellbeing are core objectives for the project. The building is designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for its environmental sustainability performance. It will improve building regulation requirements by reducing
new public amenities. Located in the business district of Central Milton Keynes, the digital hub will replace the existing Santander Grafton Gate office and car park. The hub is a response to the digitalisation of the banking sector and is part of the bank’s strategy to adapt to changing technology. The 37,000 sq m open plan office will bring together Santander’s employees, who are currently spread across four offices – providing them with an enhanced working environment that will help to attract and retain the best talent. A new form of office campus, the Hub is designed to connect the business with the local
Co2 emissions by a further 20% and is designed to achieve a WELL Gold certification. Richard Hutchinson, Director of LOM architecture and design, said: ‘Santander’s Digital Hub is at the forefront of workplace design, providing employees with high quality facilities within an environment that supports collaboration and wellbeing. The scheme marks a paradigm shift in how corporate workplaces can operate. This community-centric building is designed to welcome and connect with local people and visitors who will be able to access a range of amenities including retail, café, leisure and coworking spaces..’w
DM ME We’re pleased to announce that Mix Interiors will be a media partner at this year’s Workplace Week. Marking its ninth consecutive year, Workplace Week London 2019 – the brainchild of Advanced Workplace Associates (AWA) – will take place the week commencing 11 November 2019. 30 organisations have confirmed their support for the philanthropic week, which has so far raised over £100,000 for BBC Children in Need. This year’s week-long workplace event involves a dynamic programme of workplace tours and fringe events across London. Organisations will open their doors to the public for the very first time, including some of the world’s biggest tech, media, entertainment, facilities management, legal, fashion and finance firms. Workplace Week London premiers include Dr. Martens, LinkedIn, Deliveroo, Skyscanner, Hearst, Asos, Framestore and Photobox. Other
10 | Mix 197 September 2019
participating organisations include Ricoh, Lloyds of London, MACQUARIE, Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, Lego, Jellyfish, PwC, Aviva Digital Garage and Innocent Drinks. To find out more about the workplaces taking part in Workplace Week 2019 and to book tickets, visit www.workplaceweek.com and join the Twitter conversation using @WWLondon19 and #WWLondon.w Jellyfish, one of the workplaces taking part in Workplace Week London.
Designed by John Bennett & Giovanni Ingignoli
Showroom— 7 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1M 5PA Sales— T +44 (0) 1384 455570 E sales@bossdesign.com W bossdesign.com
Upfront |
Paul Patenall
NEW PRESIDENT FOR BCO Paul Patenall, Projects Director at U+I, has been elected as President of the British Council for Offices (BCO) and will focus on the positive impact the industry can have on wellness. Patenall formally took over from Katrina Kostic-Samen at the BCO’s Annual General Meeting last month. The BCO has consistently explored how workplaces influence wellbeing. Last year, the organisation released its Wellness Matters report, which outlined how workplaces can be designed to aid wellbeing. This is continued in the recent Guide to Specification, which includes a Health and Wellbeing chapter for the first time and takes a ‘people-first’ approach. Paul Patenall said: ‘It is an honour to become President of the BCO. As an industry, our designs can encourage greater wellness for workplace occupiers. To achieve this, we should pursue more innovative design that puts people first, rather than rely on traditional or outmoded concepts. Wellness, of course, is about more than just design. We must take mental health seriously, which is why I am so proud of the BCO’s fundraising for MIND. We should also consider how we can aid work/life balance.’ Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: ‘Paul’s vision is a clear and important one. Already, the BCO Conference has outlined how our industry can benefit wellness, which is also a theme underpinning the latest edition of the 2019 Guide to Specification, launched at the BCO Conference in Copenhagen. I would also like to thank Katrina for her service. Her energy and commitment has made clear how our designs must work for all.’ Paul was a founding member of U+I in 2015 and, prior to this, was a Director at Development Securities. He has been a BCO member for more than 25 years and sits on the Management Executive and Board of Management.w
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YOUNG BLOOD This October, The Young Furniture Makers Exhibition returns to the City of London for one day only, offering the industry an opportunity to connect with young designer-makers who are looking to make an impact on the sector. Organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the event showcases the very best furniture and furnishing design talent, from GCSE students to young professionals. More than 100 designers from schools, colleges, universities and graduates, from across the UK, will be showcasing their designs. The event is sponsored by Axminster Tools & Machinery and will take place on Wednesday 9 October (12.00pm-9.00pm) at Furniture Makers’ Hall and the Dutch Church in Austin Friars, London. Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: ‘The Young Furniture Makers exhibition is an extraordinary and unmissable
Xin Gao will be exhibiting the Hat Light
celebration of talented young designer-makers, many of whom are in the early stages of their career and looking for employment. ‘We encourage everyone to come and meet the future of design at the exhibition.’ w
ALL IN DAY’S WORK Some 15 leading designers from the world of textile design have been invited to pay tribute to one of Britain’s greatest designers by customising Robin Day’s iconic 675 chair. Initiated by Case Furniture, in partnership with Heal’s and the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation, the project – entitled ‘A Day to Remember – will help improve the future of young British designers by supporting the educational work of the Foundation through an exhibition display and live online auction. Paula Day, daughter of Robin and Lucienne Day and Chair of the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation, said: ‘The Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation represents the work of two of Britain’s greatest 20th century designers. It is dedicated to carrying their design legacies forward into the future, to enrich the lives of generations to come and inspire the great designers of the future.’ The bespoke designs, alongside the launch of two new fabric ranges by Case, formed part of a three-week window display and in-store presentation at Heal’s flagship store on Tottenham Court Road during August. All proceeds were donated to the charity.
Participants included Eleanor Pritchard, Donna Wilson, Charlene Mullen, Cristian Zuzunaga, Wallace & Sewell, Eley Kishimoto, Hannah Waldron, Beatrice Larkin and Christopher Farr. Robin Day was one of the most acclaimed British furniture designers of the 20th century, whose outstanding body of work made a major contribution to world design. With his wife, textile designer Lucienne Day, he pioneered a new modern idiom, which transformed British design after World War II. In 2014, Case launched an authentic new production of Robin Day’s 675 chair, originally designed in 1952. The continuing success of the chair lies in its elegant minimalist design, which perfectly marries functionality, engineering and style. The Days’ legacy lives on through the work of the Robin and Lucienne Day Foundation, a design education charity set up by the couple’s daughter in 2012. As well as running an awards programme for design students, the Foundation collaborates on educational projects and is developing a digital archive, which is an important resource for exhibition curators, design historians and writers. w Robin Day's iconic 675 chair
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Upfront |
Ground floor of 200 Gray's Inn Road, London
GRAY AREA Conran and Partners (who designed this month’s brilliant Mix logo) has recently completed the redesign of the ground floor of one of London’s most prominent office buildings, 200 Gray’s Inn Road. Originally designed by Foster + Partners and opened in 1991, the building is currently occupied by high-profile media organisations including ITN, ITV and Warner Bros. Owners of the site, Great Portland Estates plc (GPE), sought to adapt the space to respond to the changing working culture of its modern occupiers, blurring the edges between work and leisure time. The design conveys the feel of a private members’ club in the office reception area, blended
with café culture and a hotel experience all within a single space. As a result, the ground floor area, previously a conventionally configured office reception, has not only been re-adapted but has transformed the arrival experience. The space incorporates a café for staff, visitors and the general public, as well as breakout spaces for meetings. Conran and Partners’ reconfiguration maintains a clear visual link between the café and the atrium beyond, delivering a sociable place, which encourages people to dwell in the reception area. The building’s architecture uses materials that are simple but robust, predominantly concrete, granite, aluminium and glass. Conran and Partners’ approach has employed equally
authentic materials – including terrazzo, metal, timber and leather – to create new interventions. Simon Kincaid, Partner at Conran and Partners, says: ‘It has been an incredible journey working on a project with such a strong sense of identity and cultural importance. In the process, we have drawn upon the diverse elements of our design experience covering hospitality, residential, retail and heritage, which includes projects ranging from Centre Point Tower to German Gymnasium. Our approach seeks to retain the spirit of the original design by taking cues from the order and proportions of the existing building, while maximising usage of the ground floor space and keeping any interventions with the interior architecture to a minimum.’w
ULTRAFABRICS LAUNCHES FIRST BIO-BASED COLLECTION Ultrafabrics' Ultraleather | Volar Bio
Dedicated to reducing dependency on finite resources, Ultraleather | Volar Bio is the first of its kind and signifies a new direction for Ultrafabrics. A hybrid by design, this exciting collection incorporates renewable plant-based materials into the multiple layers of Ultrafabrics’ proprietary construction and has achieved a 29% BioPreferred Program Label. Volar Bio combines subtle organic texturing with a semi-lustrous base. The uniquely matte surface will add a touch of understated elegance to any setting, while the colour palette has been selected to offer a sense of calm, taking inspiration from the healing powers of minerals.
Ultrafabrics aims to pioneer innovative materials that conserve resources and protect the wellbeing of people and the planet. Volar Bio marks the beginning of the company’s dedicated journey towards a sustainable future. By 2025, the Ultrafabrics goal is to include bio-based ingredients and/or recycled content in 50% of new product introductions. By 2030, that goal will increase to 100%, with existing collections evaluated along the way. The brand is addressing sustainability from all aspects including product quality, material innovation and transparency. We can applaud that.w
Mix 197 September 2019 | 15
Upfront |
Luna Textiles showroom
CAMIRA GROUP ACQUIRES LUNA TEXTILES Camira continues to strengthen its presence in North America with the acquisition of US textile company, Luna Textiles. Luna Textiles, based in San Francisco, was founded in 1994 with a vision to introduce a new style to commercial interiors with its distinctive portfolio of patterned textiles, designed for the corporate, hospitality and healthcare markets. An important innovator and contributor in the North American textile industry, the company will expand and strengthen Camira’s presence in the market, with a diverse product portfolio complementing Camira’s current offering of upholstery and panel fabrics. The company’s brand legacy comes from its founder, Anna Hernandez, who established the company as an industry leader in the commercial textile field through her creative design portfolio and company credentials, but also her memorable marketing techniques, which have led to several prestigious industry awards. Grant Russell, Camira Chief Executive, commented: ‘We are both proud and excited to continue the legacy of Anna Hernandez and Luna. We believe there is a strong synergy of values and sustainability initiatives between Camira and Luna and are very much looking forward to making Luna part of the Camira family. ‘Luna Textiles will remain as an independent brand and will continue to sell its products through its network of sales representatives. The enhanced product portfolio, combined with our operational strength and industry relations, will open up new opportunities for us and our customers – and at the same time continue the identity and passion Anna established within Luna.’ Michael Vanderbyl, designer and Co-founder of Luna, commented: ‘Although a very emotional decision, we believe the presence of Luna as part of the Camira Group will continue to profile everything Anna built and embrace the legacy she created. We look forward to seeing Anna’s vision and ethos develop with Camira.’ w
16 | Mix 197 September 2019
Bruntwood Works' 111 Piccadilly Building
ALL THE ONES A 200ft innovative lighting installation, powered by advanced photovoltaics and created in
Biophilic design will also be incorporated to create a healthy and productive workplace,
partnership with creative lighting design consultancy, Artin Light, will be the centrepiece of a major refurbishment project at Bruntwood Works’ 111 Piccadilly building. Illuminating three sides of the iconic building, it will be visible from across the city centre, while a striking new ‘gem’ structure will also be added to transform the shape of the entrance. The groundbreaking lighting concept will incorporate LEDs throughout and will be powered by sustainable energy via photovoltaics. The photovoltaics will also support the power generation for the ground floor of the building. Customer health and wellbeing will be improved through a new cutting-edge circadian lighting system, designed to create a natural environment, regulating a 24-hour cycle of sleep, wake, hunger, alertness, hormone release and body temperature.
with internal planting and greenery displayed throughout, enhanced natural lighting and extensive use of natural materials. Ciara Keeling, CEO for Bruntwood Works, said: ‘We’re extremely excited to progress our plans for 111 Piccadilly. Located in the heart of Manchester, we believe it will create an incredible gateway into the city centre. From amazing cutting-edge technology to sustainable features and a new stunning illuminated exterior, it is set to make a major impact on Manchester.’ 111 Piccadilly is part of Bruntwood Work’s £50m ‘Pioneer’– a customer-focused building transformation programme aimed at transforming a number of its key buildings across the North and Midlands, and is set to become the first coworking space in the UK and one of the first in Europe to achieve Platinum WELL certification.w
CHANGES FOR ARPER Vincenzo Rivizzigno, after a 15-year cooperation with the President, Claudio Feltrin, in a path that led to the success, growth and internationalisation of Arper – has ended his tenure as CEO of Arper S.p.A. He will continue to work with the Feltrin family within the context of Marco’s Group, where he will oversee the development of the industrial activities not connected to the Arper brand. Armin Broger has been appointed as CEO, bringing his vast professional experience to the company. Prior to Arper, Armin held multiple top management roles within international groups such as B&B Italia, McGregor Fashion Group, Levi Strauss & Co, Tommy Hilfiger, The Walt Disney Company and Diesel. Claudio Feltrin commented: ‘I would like to thank Vincenzo on behalf of the Feltrin family for
all the years he dedicated to Arper, for his hard work and outstanding energy and for the great results he helped the company achieve. I am sure he will accomplish extraordinary things in his new role. It is with the same enthusiasm that I warmly welcome Armin to the team. His international experience and strong leadership skills will undoubtedly make him capable to lead Arper to reach its ambitious goals. I wish all the best to both of them.’w Vincenzo Rivizzigno, Arper
Linen
SAFETRED DESIGN COLLECTION
Providing particle-enhanced slip resistance in an elegant woven design, Safetred Linen is a safety floor with class. An antislip grip provides a high level of protection, while its reinforced surface protects against stains and eases maintenance. Colour-coordinated with our impact-resistant wall covering, Protectwall, this collection is ideal for schools, healthcare facilities and the workplace. To see the full range and for more information please contact your local Tarkett representative www.tarkett.co.uk or E: uksales@tarkett.com T: 0800 328 2115
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PROJECT RUNWAY Roger Stephenson OBE Managing Partner, Stephenson Studio Roger founded his Practice in 1979, which has been deeply involved in the urban regeneration of Manchester. Roger has completed many of Manchester’s significant buildings – The new building for Chetham’s School of Music was shortlisted for the Sterling Prize. In 2001, Roger received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to architecture and is also a visiting Professor at Liverpool University School of Architecture.
If only everything at work was so simple We could try to make it complicated. But like most really useful innovations, Link is incredibly simple. A plug & play USB-C docking station that provides all the connectivity options you need, within arm’s
Melanie Ride UK Facilities Manager, Expedia Group Melanie is the UK Facilities Manager at Expedia Group. She currently oversees the Vrbo EMEA head office in London, while extensively involved in the management of overseas projects, most recently South Africa. Melanie is passionate about design and creating innovative workspaces that contribute to retention with a focus on mindfulness and collaboration..
Vaqas Farooq Partner, Shoosmiths Vaqas is a leading development and regeneration lawyer at Shoosmiths and works across the London and Manchester offices. He is a well-known and highly respected lawyer and is actively involved with a number of major schemes across the UK. Vaqas also sits on the Shoosmiths board as Head of Strategic Growth. In 2018, he led on the design and fit-out on the firm’s Manchester office move to the flagship XYZ building. He is currently leading a project team to deliver a new flagship London office, which is anticipated to be occupied in the Summer of 2020.
reach on your workstation. Arrive at work with your laptop, plug it in and you’re fully connected. To learn more about Viewlite Link and the benefits of USB-C connectivity, go to www.dataflex-int.com/en/link
Simone Ridyard Programme Leader, BA Interior Design, Manchester Metropolitan University Simone is course leader of BA (Hons) Interior Design and a senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. She worked as an architect for 15+ years, specialising in commercial interior architecture at North West practices, including Austin-Smith:Lord, Sheppard Robson and 3DReid before making the move from architectural practice to MMU eight years ago.
Upfront |
Muriel Altunaga, Director, Global Workplace Solutions, CBRE With 20+ years’ experience in workplace strategy, change management, concept design, architecture design and building, Muriel knows the entire architectural process, from the concept of design to the constructive detail for execution on site, as well as the management of planning licenses for projects of different scales. Muriel has been working with clients from multiple sectors, including life science, legal, technological, oil and energy..
Adam Higgins Co-founder, Capital & Centric Adam is Co-founder of Manchester-based property developer, Capital & Centric. His company is behind some of the North-West’s largest property projects, including the joint venture delivering the £250m Kampus neighbourhood on the site of the old MMU campus in Manchester, the redevelopment of Crusader Mill behind Piccadilly Station and the soon to be built Littlewoods Film Studios in Liverpool.
With MixologyNorth19 on the horizon, we thought we’d add to the anticipation by unveiling the industry experts who will be responsible for judging this year’s prestigious awards. Furthermore, we've introduced a number of exciting new initiatives for this year's awards. For starters, we’ve gone digital – with a new online portal, making entries simpler to complete and more environmentally friendly, but with no limit on image/ video size files, so you can really show off your stunning projects and products to our judges. Speaking of judges, our brilliant panel will be split into two categories once again this year – Projects and Products – assuring that each judge is assigned to their particular area of expertise. Here, in all their glory, are our judges…
Simon Ramsden Director, Hilson Moran Simon tells us he loves the variety of our industry: ‘One minute you design detailed engineering services for a data centre, next minute it’s an energy master plan.’ Simon has extensive experience of both the contracting and consultancy sides of the industry. Simon manages Hilson Moran’s Manchester office with its broad range of sectors and services.
The latest leather range, Origin A fixed distressed look leather, showcased on the Sven HBB chair
Raj Rajput Managing Director, Hines Raj is a Managing Director of Hines UK, with responsibility for its commercial portfolio under management, both in London and in regional cities. He has led the refurbishment, repositioning and leasing of a range of high-profile developments, including 25 Cabot Square in Canary Wharf, Broadgate Quarter in the City of London, and Brindley Place in Birmingham..
Karen Broadbent Business Change Manager, Bupa A proactive change agent who has delivered successful transformation projects for the past 10 years, Karen is able to develop and maintain beneficial internal and external business relationships at all levels and thrives on managing, motivating and developing successful and productive teams in a highly pressurised, varied and challenging work environment.
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Mix Design Collective 3-5 DECEMBER 2019
In association with:
HILTON DEANSGATE MANCHESTER
Mix Design Collective In association with:
For more information and to register for free attendance please visit: www.mixdesigncollective.co.uk
Thanks to all our partners:
QUALITY SINCE 1948
9 Interior Design Experiences curated by Invigorate
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PART OF MIX WEEK MANCHESTER - TO INCLUDE MIX INSPIRED AND MIXOLOGY NORTH19
Upfront | Seven
SEVEN fascinating facts about sofas
As we all know, the nature of how we can and do work has changed dramatically. For certain tasks and for our wellbeing, we're now actively looking to get comfy away from our desks. Here, our friends from sixteen3 reveal a number of facts we didn't know about those lovely, welcoming soft seating products
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Before the introduction of polyurethane foam padding, sofas were stuffed with a whole variety of materials, such as straw, wood shavings, horse hair and even moss!
Inflatable sofas were invented in the 60s as way of creating cheap, flexible furniture for the youth market that went against the establishment. They had a tendency to deflate though..
Furniture similar to modern sofas were found as far back as ancient Egypt, but they didn’t gain popularity until the 16th century when European craftsmen started producing seating with added padding for comfort w.
22 | Mix 197 September 2019
The word ‘sofa’ originates from the Arabic ‘suffa’, a long seat often made of brick or stone, with cushions for comfort.
3
In the UK. an estimated £155 million in change gets lost in sofas each year!
If it were to go up for sale, experts have estimated that the famous orange sofa from the TV series, Friends, would be worth £20,000.
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One of the most famous forms of sofa, the Chesterfield, got its name from the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, who is said to have first commissioned one when looking for an elegant seat on which gentlemen could sit without creasing their clothes.
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Upfront |
THE SPOKEN WORD M Moser's Steve Gale says writing is redundant. We're not
sure if that is good or bad news for our editorial team!
The need to actually write words will diminish to zero
Steve Gale is Head of Business Intelligence at M Moser Associates. SteveG@mmoser.com
W
e are all slaves to our keyboards, but maybe not for much longer. What will this mean to the places in which we work? I am sitting in the garden (it’s a bank holiday Monday) recording these words on my QWERTY keyboard like almost every English speaker who
People respond to texts with voice recognition as they drive their car. Hours of unproductive time in check-in queues, cars, trains and planes are being put to use. Complex PC applications can find instructions and routines with a simple voice request. Video conferencing can be configured by stating your
wants to compile anything legible. But there is another way. By speaking to my laptop, I can successfully write and edit anything I want with a basic speech recognition app. This miracle would have remained undiscovered had I not broken my arm three years ago. I used to think that language was both the written and the spoken word, but linguists put me straight – language is actually speech, text is just a proxy. It is a brilliant artifice which can freeze speech for later reference. We love our texting devices and the demand is not going away. The convenience of near time (not real time) conversation is invaluable in emails, messages and chat rooms. Text is the quintessential medium when you are not actually speaking to another person. Being able to read will always be a core skill, but the need to actually write words will diminish to almost zero. The implication of voice recognition is being felt everywhere because of the processing speed and power that we all have access to, combined with apps that use machine learning and are beginning to look like artificial intelligence. What if you never had to touch a keyboard in order to write? Would you bother to learn to transcribe your thoughts on a lettering machine devised more than 150 years ago? There has been a two-generation evolution from handwriting to keyboard typing, and the next stage is the transition to voice transcription. They will use voice only – with the lecturer, interviewee, and themselves directly transcribed as they speak, like the TV news subtitles that appear as a real-time ticker-tape. Anyone can do it without tuition – and it’s faster. These things evolve quickly. This is not new stuff. To quote William Gibson, 'The future is already here, it is just unevenly distributed'. The Blade Runner scene where Harrison Ford used his voice to control his computer is no longer science fiction.
name. Lifts, air-conditioning and window blinds can be controlled without fiddling with menus or dials. So what does this mean to the workplace? With my broken arm in plaster, I stayed at home for a week or two to avoid disturbing colleagues while I spoke to my laptop. If keyboards and physical controls disappear, the noise disruption will go up a notch, and the open plan office will need to adapt. People will not tolerate more disturbance. Quiet working is already the single biggest challenge in the modern workplace. There are ways around this problem. Call centres already routinely use headsets to control the din of mass communication, and many office workers regularly wear headphones to control outside noise. But more interesting is the possibility for the convention of separate rooms for meetings and conversations to be reversed. How about reserving insulated spaces for production and remote communication, while the open space becomes an agora for general conversations and spontaneous interactions? The sort of noise that distracts open plan workers could then be the healthy sound of knowledge exchange, the normal buzz of the office, while speaking to devices (no longer laptops), and phones is off to one side, or regulated by noise cancelling headsets. This might place centre stage the innovative interactivity that many businesses crave, with recording and editing done elsewhere, even offsite, and keyboard free. The power of speech is back on top. Ever since Hal, the super-computer in the film 2001, answered back, the real possibilities have slowly surfaced. Alexa, Siri and Cortana are only the beginning. Shakespeare works on the radio, but try turning the sound off in the film version of MacBeth – all meaning evaporates. To welcome speech back into the world of work we will need to accommodate the death of the keyboard, dials and remote controls.w
Mix 197 September 2019 | 25
Beauty meet function We’ve designed our LVT and Carpet Tiles to work together seamlessly – with no transition strips. Because we like to think of the floor as a blank canvas, allowing you to make your space unique. Hard surfaces, soft textures, and endless pattern and colour combinations – all you need is a vision.
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Upfront | Perspective
PERSPECTIVE Paul Patenall, Projects Director at U+I, and President of the British Council for Offices (BCO)
What did Katrina Kostic-Samen, the outgoing BCO President, say by way of advice? I don’t think Katrina offered any specific advice – but what I can say is that she laid out important objectives that I share and will continue to pursue. Katrina was committed to creating an organisation embracing equal opportunities, one that better reflects wider society. She also encouraged the BCO to be far less formal. This helped make the organisation feel more inclusive and made the BCO more accessible. What do you see as the chief role of the BCO? The BCO is a highly professional and innovative organisation, and I am committed to promoting this. In particular, the Council provides brilliant, industryleading thought through its Guide to Specification and research on office space. Our industry is moving faster than ever, so it is essential that the BCO’s guidance and research continues, keeps pace and is ahead of the curve. In addition, the BCO provides unique networking opportunities.
We have a well-informed, intelligent and curious membership and our regular, nationwide events help the membership mix and share expertise. What major initiatives would you like to implement as President? I want to promote wellbeing, which was the theme of this year’s BCO Conference in Copenhagen. Wellbeing can sound like a fad, but it isn’t. Understanding wellness is crucial to us workplace professionals and, through research and events, I aim to help our industry gain a firm perception of what it is and why it matters. As part of this, I also want to promote a greater input from occupiers, something I promoted as Chairman of the BCO Membership Committee. We cannot hope to explore, design and deliver ‘well’ workplaces unless we truly understand the people using them but, to do this, we need their input at all stages of the design process. Wellbeing also includes a greater focus on mental health. Our industry can and must get better at how it deals with mental health. We can’t hope to design workplaces that promote a
balanced work/life relationship if we ourselves are struggling. People need to be far more perceptive about mental health, particularly at a time when our industry is changing more quickly – and therefore more demanding to work in – than ever before. Finally, I aim to increase our membership. Being a part of the BCO is brilliant. I want more people to experience it and contribute. If you had to choose, what is the one major current theme in the workplace? Unsurprisingly, I would say wellbeing or work/life balance. It is an idea that is reshaping our industry. No longer are we just building grey, identikit offices. Modern designs aim to help people feel their best at work. What would you like to be remembered for when you finish your term as President? It might sound glib, but making people happy. Yes, that involves promoting wellbeing, work/life balance and improved mental health, but it also has other implications. For instance, I hope people remember the
conference I organised in Copenhagen. Putting it together was a very different experience to my day job, but I hope it made people happy. What are the biggest challenges you and the council face? Of course there are external factors which can’t be controlled, such as market fluctuations. Beyond these, one of our biggest challenges is the pace of change. Not just in terms of technology, but also expectations. People want so much more from an office now and the BCO must keep pace. That said, I believe we can. The BCO brings together an exceptional array of talent. Often, members are the ones leading the change. You first joined the BCO 25 years ago. How has it changed in that time? When I first joined, the BCO was far smaller and had limited expectations. It wouldn’t be unkind to say that it was just a few people having a chat. Now, the organisation’s role is diverse and far-reaching. We are also a truly national organisation that spans the length and breadth of the country, rather than just London.w
Mix 197 September 2019 | 27
Upfront | Material Matters
MATERIAL
MATTERS
In this month’s Material Matters, the team of experts at Material Lab focus on design inspired by texture and fluidity www.material-lab.co.uk
Johnson Tiles - Maximalism Maximalism has made a comeback, with a contemporary and playful twist – the key sentiment being ‘more is more.’
Maike Interiors With their fine contemporary seamless finishes for walls, floors and furniture, Maike Interiors have created a surface finish that is waterproof, hard-wearing, VOC-free and can be used externally and internally. Their latest offering, Minerals, has an extensive colour and texture palette, however, for those who are feeling
This has been a trend behind the launch of Johnsons Tiles' most recent product ranges, Stratum and Avoir. Both product ranges are heavily influenced by the 1970s, which has seen a huge revival, from geometrics to furniture shapes and colour palettes. Both ranges afford the ability to block colour to create large statement patterns, whether it is the largescale geometric patterns of the Avior range or the heavy marble effect of the Stratum range. Often the layering of colour and largescale foliage can create a more subtle and contemporary approach to maximalism, utilising bright radiant tones to soft serene hues.
more adventurous, Maike offer a bespoke service to create your own colours and finishes. The product itself is installed by their team of artisans and is a suitable finish for all environments, from domestic swimming pools, kitchens, bathrooms, through to office, retail and hotel spaces.
modulyss - Fluid& Fluid& is the newest carpet tile range in the &-collection by modulyss. Bringing a bold splash of colour to commercial spaces, the collection’s perfectly imperfect pattern possesses a wonderful sense of fluidity and movement, elevating the look of office and hospitality spaces. In a palette including luscious tones of ochre, green, blue, rust and grey, Fluid& harmonises beautifully with all products in the &-collection; the colour, texture and pattern of the carpet tile can be used alongside Fashion& and Velvet& for dynamic and unique layouts.
Silicastone Handmade in England from never less than 98% recycled material, Silicastone is an eco-architectural interior and exterior surface product offering a unique aesthetic coupled with sound sustainable credentials. They proudly make use of unwanted manufacturing materials that others discard. Taking these materials, they put them through an ingenious, environmentally low-impact process to give them a new lease of life, creating beautiful solid surfaces and tiles that are bespoke in character and respectful of the planet. As such, all their products retain a handcrafted quality, celebrating the beautiful imperfections found in natural stone, or in the bespoke glaze finishes their ceramic material can create. All these products are UV stable, will not fade or change colour over time and are heat and fire-resistant. w
Mix 197 September 2019 | 29
Upfront | Desert Island Desks
DESERT ISLAND DESKS
MY 3-YEAR-OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER, BENTLEY He would be the best company for that unconditional love and to make me laugh. He is as daft as a brush…they say a dog is like his owner!
COFFEE Rich and Smooth – no other explanation required.
30 | Mix 197 September 2019
CRÈME DE LA MER This would be totally impractical for survival but a luxurious necessity. Anything or everything from their product range would be perfect.
HISTORICAL FICTION I am obsessed with any books or programmes relating to Henry VIII or World War II. I am fascinated how times and attitudes have changed and life has evolved since those times. Philipa Gregory is my favourite.
INSTAGRAM My favourite social media site. Most people would probably rather escape social media but I think this is a great tool for seeing amazing places in the world. I have two folders to save images within Instagram – one entitled ‘Design’ and the Other entitled ‘Holiday’.
A COMFORTABLE BED I don’t need a lot of sleep but when I hit that wall, that’s it! Anyone can survive most things if they have a good night's sleep and they are focused. I would need my memory foam mattress, pillow and heavy duvet…but the dog wouldn’t be allowed on the bed!
Tel 01925 850500 Email info@sixteen3.co.uk
Paula Jepmond, Director, Fusion by Design With over 30 years' experience in the industry, Paula is still as passionate about leisure and hospitality design as she was when starting her first day at work. Now entering its 21st year, Paula is really proud of the work her team at Fusion by Design have created. TRACKS FOR THE JUKEBOX: INXS – Original sin: One of my all-time favourite bands and a group I was lucky enough to see live. Pearl Jam – Alive: Preferably the whole ‘Ten’ album, This is my go-to album when I am bored with all other music. Justin Timberlake - What Goes around/Comes Around: Never a truer expression spoken. Madonna – Ray Of Light: I may not be the biggest Madonna fan but this song reminds me of the time I was living with my sister in Headingley, Carol is a great role model, super hard working and the person I can have the best belly laughs with. Our tour of Germany is still high on the list of the best times of my life! An Emotional Fish – Celebrate: Another memory song, one from my school years. I was lucky enough to enjoy all my educational years with great friends whom I am still in touch with today. Eminem - Sing For The Moment: I was obsessed with his music whilst pregnant with my first child; most people craved food, I craved his music! w
www.sixteen3.co.uk
Property | Insight
PROPERTY INVESTORS ARE ABOUT TO TURN YOUR WORKPLACE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN Talking exclusively to Mix, Aviva’s global property analyst, Jonathan Bayfield, explains why everything in your world is about to be completely different. David Thame reports.
32 | Mix 197 September 2019
Property | Insight
Manchester and Birmingham are now emerging on international investors’ radars because they can see a wide occupier base there and the knowledge industries that will underpin occupier demand
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Top Allied London, has scooped pre-lets including Booking.com Above Jonathan Bayfield, Senior Research Analyst for Global Real Estate, Aviva Investors
hat happens in the office property development scene is, ultimately, determined by the people who pay for it: the big private investors, pension funds and institutions. Get a little face time with those people with serious skin in the game and everything looks very different from their long-term perspective. And you quickly learn some surprising news for the world of office interiors. It is this: your world is about to be turned upside down. Half an hour spent talking to Jonathan Bayfield, Senior Research Analyst for Global Real Estate at Aviva Investors, is time well spent – because this is the clearest insight you’ll get (short of spending an expensive weekend in Davos) of the direction of the global economy as it effects the office sector. Aviva Investors is one of the big names of UK fund management. Growing out of the old Norwich Union business, Aviva Investors manages £337 billion assets, invested in 15 countries. Like all institutional investors, it is interested in stable income over the long-term to meet their long-term insurance and pensions liabilities. Aviva is not (necessarily) out to make a quick buck, so they think seriously about longerterm trends. So where will Aviva be investing in the office market? The answer is simple: London, Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge.
Pretty much everywhere else in the UK is not on their radar. Jonathan explains: ‘The big change in the UK economy is a change in the role of cities. We’re going to see them as hubs of inter-connected networks and we are trying to focus on the locations that are best equipped to thrive in this changed world. So really the likes of central London, central Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge. ‘Our job is to manage risk and we want to be in the locations that are most resilient to the upcoming change in the economy, and those four cities are the best because they have significant pools of talent, significant business clusters and significant knowledge networks. And they have scale.’ In other words, the people skills and experience you need to make the modern economy work are to be found in those four cities, and found abundantly enough for Aviva to feel it isn’t much of a risk. The key word ‘scale’ also means something more precise; that the local office investment markets in all four locations are fairly liquid. Simply put, Aviva know that if they decide to sell up, somebody will want to buy an office block in Cambridge or Manchester. The arrival in Manchester of Amsterdamheadquartered Booking.com’s ground transportation division is the kind of eye-catching deal that attracts Aviva to the city. Booking
Mix 197 September 2019 | 33
Property | Insight
The seven take-aways from Aviva’s strategy guru you have to know 1.
Aviva are focusing on London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Cambridge.
2.
Aviva are disinvesting in other cities, eg. Nottingham, Glasgow.
3.
The high growth cities are all about knowledge, clusters and connections.
4.
Cat B fit-outs are OK!
5.
Amenity outside the building matters as much, or more, than amenity inside.
6.
Think ‘activiation’ – it’s the concept that really matters.
7.
Older buildings are fine if they can be made flexible.
will open a new 222,000 sq ft global headquarters building at Allied London's 726,000 sq ft Enterprise City scheme in Manchester’s new St John’s Quarter. Construction is due to complete in 2020. ‘These are all markets where lots of investors take an interest. Manchester and Birmingham are now emerging on international investors’ radars because they can see a wide occupier base there and the knowledge industries that will underpin occupier demand. And that’s true in Cambridge, too, where US based investors are very keen because they get the life-science angle that underpins the city’s growth – it reminds them of US examples like MIT and Harvard.’ For the same set of reasons, Aviva is busy disinvesting in other UK cities about which they feel less optimistic: Nottingham and Glasgow are on their sell-list, as are any locations with a lowskilled call-centre based office market. So what kind of buildings do Aviva want in their chosen cities? In the past, institutional investors like Aviva would have spent money only on the safest, most conservative office buildings. Indeed, ‘institutional grade property’ was a byword for boring and conventional. No more, says Jonathan. 'They want funky buildings – but not just any funky buildings.' ‘Look, the emerging trend in the world of work is remote and flexible working – people simply visit the office less often. That trend is already very evident in London and growing in Manchester and Birmingham. So we are looking to invest in buildings that people want to visit, places with strong amenity offers. Not the stale institutional buildings of 20 years ago,’ he says.
34 | Mix 197 September 2019
In practice, this means best-in-class buildings that can meet changing trends because they are flexible and re-useable. But it also means buildings with some personality. ‘What matters to us is the physical flexibility and adaptability of the building, so it can change as the world of work changes. Perhaps some older buildings are a problem there, maybe with compromised floor heights, or problems with natural light. But that might be off-set by some other really interesting point of difference. It might be historic, for instance. And these days we balance the criteria of flexibility against other softer factors,’ Jonathan says.
So we are looking to invest in buildings that people want to visit, places with strong amenity offers. Not the stale institutional buildings of 20 years ago
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Property | Insight
Based on the findings of its proprietary ‘Future City’ methodology, Aviva Investors expects London and Paris to be the best-performing European office markets. With a city’s prospects defined more than ever by knowledge exchange and information sharing, London and Paris are expected be the strongest magnets for global talent; relative to peers, both cities also benefit from superior scale and their status as international hubs, alongside strong governance credentials.
Other cities of interest
Tech cities
Other cities that scored highly overall include Munich, Dublin, Frankfurt, Lyon, Stuttgart and Hamburg. Aviva Investors also used its analysis to identify four tech cities – Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam and Stockholm – that it is strategically committed to within its real estate investment strategy. In the UK they are also targeting Cambridge, Manchester and Birmingham.
36 | Mix 197 September 2019
Does this mean investors like Aviva are madkeen on coworking platforms like WeWork? The answer is surprisingly equivocal. In the month that WeWork finally unveiled plans for a public listing on the New York Stock Exchange – but also revealed its latest $900 million first-half loss – Jonathan reveals a nuanced horses-for-courses approach with big implications for office design. ‘We’ve been doing quite a lot of thinking about it. JLL say that 30% of the global office market could be flexible in the long-run, which would include coworking, and we are paying great attention. But we wonder if there might be some more cost-effective solutions like, for instance, fitting out offices to Cat B standards, rather than Cat A, and comparing the outcomes, because maybe occupiers like the transparency of knowing how much these things cost,’ he says. Aviva have begun trialling this approach, offering occupiers Cat B fit-outs, and are trialling different approaches in different markets.
We need buildings that can facilitate collaboration and staff cohesion – so that means breakout spaces, cafés and activated reception areas, things that generate life and character
Meanwhile, they are experimenting with the coworking giants, including WeWork. ‘We have them in our Cambridge offices, and we agreed a revenue-sharing deal with them, because this is a great location and it gives us confidence,’ Jonathan explains. ‘Operators like WeWork bring more life and vibrancy to an office building, and we’ve heard occupiers in London say they will only take floorspace in office buildings with coworking as a tenant, so they can shrink or expand their own footprint.’ In other words, coworking may or may not make money for its operators (Aviva certainly hopes it will in Cambridge) but it might
Below Manchester's St John development
INNOVATIVE HIGHLY DURABLE FR UPHOLSTERY & DRAPERY FABRICS FOR EXCITING WORKSPACE & OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS STUNNING HOTEL, LEISURE & CRUISE INTERIORS DEMANDING HEALTHCARE & EDUCATION APPLICATIONS nonetheless serve a useful function for landlords and the investors who stand behind them. Understood like this, coworking is an amenity like the gym and the bike store; it is just one of the things that make people want to visit that office block, and a source of activation. Activation is going to be big in the future of office blocks, says Jonathan. ‘We want to see buildings with strong amenities, but really amenity isn’t enough. We need buildings that can facilitate collaboration and staff cohesion – so that means breakout spaces, cafés and activated reception areas, things that generate life and character,’ he says.
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Property | Insight
Below Nottingham Unity Square
What are Legal & General up to?
W
hilst Aviva is
picking its four regional hubs, UK institutional rivals Legal & General are spreading their investment over a much wider pool of regional office markets. At the same time that Aviva pulls back in Nottingham, L&G is advancing. Legal & General has agreed to forward-fund the development of Unity Square in Nottingham as HM Revenue and Customs’ latest regional hub, helping to facilitate significant economic growth in the city and putting Nottingham back on the occupier map. The Development is being
On the face of it, a running track was a good idea – but actually people prefer to run in the park
38 | Mix 197 September 2019
undertaken by Peveril
from joint venture partners,
Securities and its joint venture partner, Sladen Estates. This is one of 10 deals agreed between Legal & General and the anonymously-named (but seriously important) Government Property Unit. The latest, agreed just before the August bank holiday, sees L&G forwardfund a 377,700 sq ft office development at Wellington Place, Leeds. The sale was agreed back-to-back with a lease to HMRC and NHS Digital, and is said to be the biggest regional pre-let in a decade. The buildings have been purchased for £211 million
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Hermes Investment Management. The other deals include 240,000 sq ft at 3 Arena Central, Birmingham, forward-funding Salmon Harvester Properties’ 3 Glass Wharf, Bristol, where HM Revenue and Customs signed up for 110,000 sq ft, a partnership with Rightacres and Cardiff City Council on a 300,000 sq ft for HMRC, and letting 270,000 sq ft to HMRC at Liverpool’s India Buildings. Mix approached L&G to discuss their regional investment strategy, but they declined to comment.
Amenity and activation extends way beyond the building’s boundary into pedestrianised streets, good local restaurants, a lively street scene with historic and heritage buildings, suggests Jonathan. What it probably doesn’t involve is silly gimmicks inside the building – dog grooming, floristry or (an example he expected to like but in fact didn’t) indoor running tracks. ‘On the face of it, a running track was a good idea,’ he says of one London building. ‘But actually people prefer to run in the park.’ Jonathan hints that the developers think too
much about their building, and not about the city it is in – and that means they sometimes miss the point about amenity. The next stage for Aviva is to buy more heavily in their chosen regional markets. ‘We are already the biggest private sector landlord in Cambridge, we’re number two in Manchester, and we are still making big splashes in the regional cities,’ he tells us. Aviva have the resources – and the clearheaded thinking – to make a big difference. If you want to be part of the new world they are fashioning, then getting design and amenity Aviva-right is going to be vital.w
Property | Insight
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HEALTH & WELLBEING
THE BIG Q UESTION
The implementation of wellbeing is (still) more about productivit y and bottom-line issues than it is about really looking after people. Do you agree? Mix 197 September 2019 | 41
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100% Design | Stand: D1
Q
Spotlight | The Big Question
The implementation of wellbeing is (still) more about
THE BIG
productivity and bottom-line issues than it is about
UESTION
really looking after people. Do you agree?
Damien Clifford, Associate Director, Cost Management, Turner & Townsend
Colin Watson, Secretary General, The European Office Furniture Federation
No, I don’t agree – I feel there is a genuine empathy within organisations with regards to the wellbeing of their staff, whether that be physical,
The two are equally compatible and mutually beneficial. A well-constructed programme to enhance wellbeing in the workplace will provide
mental or emotional health. Of course, by having a happy and healthy staff, there is obvious performance and profit margin benefits, however I think companies are also cognisant of the social impact that the individual and collective wellbeing of their people in the workplace has, which will also help to alleviate long term pressures on our national health service.
the potential for a more effective performance from employees. Initiated by the employer, this is just one aspect for success, the other requires a commitment from the individual, who is responsible for aspects outside their place of work. Wellbeing at home, including family security, leisure activities and financial stability complete the circle. It’s a circle for life.
Gaynor Taylor, Director, Mansfield Monk Limited
Rodney McMahon, Managing Director, Morgan
Yes, because ultimately business is about profit. However, there is an increasing realisation within many organisations that wellbeing has a direct effect on profitability. Successful companies attract and retain high calibre personnel, inhabit workplaces where job satisfaction is high and sick leave levels are low, create communities where coming to work is more than just a job and wellbeing plays a pivotal role in all of these factors.
Companies are primarily motivated by the bottom line. So while, yes, the implementation of wellbeing is more about productivity, it’s becoming an inherent part of the workplace to everyone’s benefit. Bear in mind productivity is derived from working smart, not necessarily working hard. Physical and psychological comfort are prerequisites for this so, in fact, even if they are not the priority, looking after people has to come first. While this isn’t yet consistently the case, it’s a desirable aspiration.
Morgan Doouss, Founder, AllSfär I don’t think these are mutually exclusive issues. Organisations must balance a duty of care towards their employees with a responsibility to keep the business profitable. Wellbeing means different things to different people and whilst investing in wellbeing initiatives may be seen by some as a means of getting people to work harder and longer, there’s huge evidence to suggest that healthy people are happier and so more productive. The expectations of employees are now also driving the wellbeing agenda, so it’s becoming more of a tool to attract and retain the best talent.
Gary Helm, Founder, obolife Forward thinking organisations (and indeed societies as a whole) are re-thinking what success looks like. With so many high-profile individuals talking openly about struggles with mental health, it is finally okay to not be okay. This refreshing new attitude, which puts employees health and happiness at the centre of corporate strategy, is adopted by all employers regardless of sector or location. There are more important markers of success than the ruthless pursuit of financial profit – the companies that understand this will be the most sustainable in every sense.
Umbrella editorial banner Mix Interiors Sept 2019.pdf 1 21/08/2019 19:36:00 C
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Mix 197 September 2019 | 43
Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
WHAT IS WELLBEING? Wellbeing is a personal choice. It is not something that we are given, but a choice that we can make. No matter what conditions we are in, it is a choice that is available if one is conscious of it. Designer Elina Grigoriou, who knows what’s what when it comes to the subject, having recently published a book – ‘Wellbeing in Interiors – Philosophy, Design and Value in Practice’ – presents us with a perfect introduction to our wellbeing spotlight.
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WELLBEING IN INTERIORS
of interior spaces can to understand how mplemented on a ave on wellbeing, it short and long term section of the book sustainable design.
IN INTERIORS PHILOSOPHY, DESIGN & VALUE IN PRACTICE
ELINA GRIGORIOU
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ELINA GRIGORIOU 31/05/2019 13:08
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hat is also true is that unless we have comfort in our state, and through the setup of our surroundings, then we are using our resilience to achieve it. It is a binary situation, if we do not have comfort, then we can't sustain our wellbeing. We only have
we have the ability to use our faculty of reason effectively and our memory is fresh, and the emotions are clear, we respond to others around us, where generosity, positivity and a sense of unity exists, where love and care occur naturally without expecting a return. [1]
so much resilience in us and it is topped up by moments of wellbeing in equal measure. So a design that aims for occupant comfort and meets their preferred type of beauty will support their wellbeing. But what is wellbeing? We tend to talk about it quite a lot these days, but do we personally know what it is and how we are meant to feel or how occupants are supposed to feel when they achieve their wellbeing in an interior we have designed? When I set off to find out how to design interiors for wellbeing, I realised very quickly that without knowing what exact feelings, state and actions I was trying to support, I was looking with my eyes shut. To define wellbeing, we need to delve into human states of existence – aka existential issues! This is because it is describing a state of ‘being’ and not something purely physical. It is describing a state of flourishing and freedom combined. This state of being is experienced in all the parts that make up a human being: the physical body, the emotional centre/heart and the cognitive mind. So what states do these three need to be in, in order to sing together and create a state we call wellbeing? In my research on this issue I delved into philosophy for an understanding of the human make-up that lies beyond just the physical, with answers on what happiness is and what is ‘good’ and so on – and there I found a description that provided the target needed and the answer to what wellbeing is. I extract and share findings from my recent book, Wellbeing in Interiors: Wellbeing is a state where there is a feeling of wellness and happiness in all three parts of the self. Wellbeing is where: the body feels light, healthy, refreshed, agile, alert and at ease, the mind is clear, bright, perceptive and efficient, information and analysis can happen easily, learning is effortless,
So when we are working on the design of an interior or an aspect of it, keeping in mind the result we wish users to experience is key to supporting occupant wellbeing. If we are designing chairs, floor or wall finishes, taps or lighting, we can ask ourselves how these will support the above result for the specific users. Knowing the users is another key part of designing for wellbeing. A design that supports occupant wellbeing needs to harmonise with the users within it. To provide them what they may lack or not over-provide something they already have. This becomes clearer when we are creating stimulation – for example, through the effect of the interior design on users; if users are already stimulated and the tasks to be undertaken in the interior, which may be a workplace and require concentration, then the interior design needs less stimulation than it would otherwise. This type of user knowledge can be collated by creating user personas and captured in user profiles. If we want to create ‘good design’ then that is one that supports wellbeing. To support wellbeing we need to know the users, what levels of comfort they need and where. We need to know what type of beauty they find attractive, and what the individual spaces they will occupy are going to be used for. Design is a wonderful tool for doing good – and it’s just now starting to become exciting! w ‘Wellbeing in Interiors – Philosophy, Design and Value in Practice’ is published by RIBA Publishing and can be found through all major and local bookshops. The adapted description is based on text provided by the School of Philosophy & Economic Science www.schoolofphilosophy.org [1]
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
PLASTIC COULD BE A RESOURCE - NOT A BLIGHT! We’ve seen a huge movement in attitudes towards the use of plastics, both in and away from the workplace. From fast food outlets through to WELL certified working environments, the use of plastics have changed and are still constantly being questioned. Leading furniture designer, Hilary Birkbeck, has a particular PET project that promises to have a major impact on how we approach material use
PET felt is derived in part from recycled bottles and, some say, is collected from the 'Canals of Amsterdam' – some say!
Fact File The UK currently throws away around 2.5 billion coffee cups a year 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped in our oceans every year 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs The UK levy of 5p per bag introduced in 2015 has reduced single-use plastic bags given out by major retailers by 90% Source: WWF, 2019; Guardian, 2019
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lastic in the sea has caused a wave of ‘awareness’ or ‘buried guilt’ and is one of the many bruises and deep wounds we inflict on our world. We are at a crossroads where we either commit ourselves to a dystopian future or clean up our act! Design innovation and technology could and must put the brakes on… take PET as an example. We are going into free-fall over plastic as an ‘AntiChrist’, where a counter argument of the use of PLA (polylactide) and other biomass plastics (it is single use and increases the acid content of the composted mass) is to upcycle! I have supported the use of PET for the last five years. This is a fibrous plastic felt that is soft to touch, good for thermal insulation and very effective for sound absorption. It can be cut, bent and moulded. PET felt is derived in part from re-cycled bottles and, some say, is collected from the ‘Canals of Amsterdam’ – some say! PET provides the automotive industry with many parts – such as parcel shelves and boot liners – and is now being used in the furniture market. PET is also used extensively in the ‘drinks’ and packaging industry – some 13 billion bottles annually in the UK alone. IKEA makes a chair called Balstar, and I designed a product for Nowy Styl in Poland, called Tepee, which features a series of sound absorbing enclosures for working. There are now many sound absorbing ‘PET felt’ suppliers of wall and ceiling cladding, screens and chairs. New to the market is DeVorm in Holland, who are a great user of PET. I have also worked
extensively with Connection, whose enlightened approach and support of PET helps them lead the way to a ‘Carbon Neutral’ position in the UK. Over eight billion tons of plastic has apparently been created since its birth in 1907. It’s a resource that we have not tapped into… our recycling record is very poor. We have 100 million tons of recycled plastic in use today…1.25% against aluminium’s claim of 90%. There is change ahead, however. Loop Industries has a zero energy process to depolymerize PET – turning bottles into bottles. Now that is worth a ‘WOW’! Evian and Coca Cola have taken up the process. Coca Cola use a fifth of the world’s PET – that is 108 billion bottles annually or 200,000 every minute, a very strong case for upcycling and it is now starting to happen! Ioniqa in Holland has just commissioned an upcycling PET plant, capable of processing 10 kilotons per year – but we’ll need 300 of these plants just for Coca Cola! Man has been making ‘things and stuff’ for thousands of years – let’s start re-using them!w
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
FOOD FOR THOUGHT We’ve come a long way in a relatively short time when it comes to approaching physical health and nutrition in the workplace. HLW’s Sustainability and Wellness Team explain just how far we’ve come – and how we can still go much, much further.
Fact File The UK has a weight problem - two thirds of adults are either overweight or obese, while obesity worldwide has nearly tripled in the last 40 years Adults working full time spend around 60% of their waking hours in their place of work and consume at least a third of their daily calorie allowance during their working day. Source: Public Health England/NHS, 2019 Average annual cost of sickness absence per employee: £600 Source: CIPD, 2019
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s designers, we are now designing with the understanding that it is imperative our surrounding environment supports healthy
working patterns and promotes physical activities. As building owners and designers, we need to find unique strategies that make the healthy choice the default option. All these decisions should be made with the policies and operations in mind to ensure successful integration and execution. Previously, many companies supported ‘health and wellness’ through subsidised gym memberships and cycle to work schemes. Whilst these are still valued, companies are now having to integrate these goals into the physical space – not just supporting them outside the work environment. Some of the trends we are now seeing include companies investing in on-site wellness facilities – from the more traditional exercise and yoga rooms, to onsite treatment rooms, and even hydration stations with kombucha taps built in. Physical activity is only half the battle when dealing with the health and wellbeing of employees. It must be paired with easily accessible healthy food and drink. Many office spaces have an on-site cafeteria or pantry area and companies can choose what to offer their staff, collaborating with local vendors to provide fruit and healthy snacks, as well as a variety of vegan options. If take-away options are available, then ensuring that the disposable utensils and plateware are compostable is essential, as is clear direction on how to recycle them. We are also seeing an increase in companies offering healthy drinks on-tap, such as kombucha or fruit infused water. These are all great perks that have a big impact on employee satisfaction. There are great strategies that are challenging what health and wellness programmes in the workplace looks like – but being able to
measure their success is also important. Many companies are using third party rating systems, such as the WELL Building Standard and Fitwel, to demonstrate their commitment to health and wellness. Both standards identify nutritional transparency as a key component to help individuals make informed decisions about what they are consuming and restrict companies from offering artificial ingredients, such as sweeteners and preservatives. Measuring physical health requires self-monitoring tools such as smart watches that count the number of steps you take. Some companies utilise these to encourage friendly competition amongst employees to promote a healthier lifestyle. While we have made great strides to design around the health and wellbeing of occupants, there are still many opportunities to progress. At HLW, we are now tackling many initiatives from monitoring and improving air quality through design and product specification, to initiatives based around CSR, helping companies to integrate with the surrounding community in positive ways that benefit both their employees and the local community. In dense environments, supporting urban agriculture is one strategy that can provide employees with access to fruits and vegetables, while providing an opportunity for companies to financially support their local community garden. Physical health and nutrition are just two components of a successfully executed sustainable space, which requires thoughtful design and policies. In all strategies that support this goal, occupant education is key to ignite a conscious behavioural change. For the professional design community, finding ways for employees to continue their healthy lifestyle into the workplace is an opportunity for growth and reinvention.w For additional content, be sure to visit the Mix Interiors website: www.mixinteriors.com
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
MY GOODNESS! The construction industry has a three times higher rate of suicide than any other industry, Rachel Wootliff, Sustainability Manager at Willmott Dixon Interiors, tells us. This is shocking and shows mental health is a key issue. Mental health awareness has rapidly been on the rise, with awareness days and weeks in workplaces. People have been trained to become mental health ambassadors, but responsiveness doesn’t stop there.
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ypically, companies are most concerned about attraction, retention and productivity – and they are realising that biophilia is a key way of achieving those aims, particularly in the context of the wider understanding of the impact of working hours/stresses on mental health. The obvious trend is to use plants and natural materials, but we are increasingly seeing a move towards imitating the outdoors; using LED screens that mimic the sky, forest or the sea; painting walls in natural colours and using circadian lighting, which mirrors natural daylight. In the last few years, new standards such as the WELL, Fitwel, and Living Building Challenge have helped us to examine how we really live in and adapt to buildings, with a particular focus on social sustainability in building design. Often there is an emphasis on the fixed workplace – although what happens when your workplace is less permanent? At Willmott Dixon Interiors, specialists in interior fit-out and refurbishment, we have evaluated site working conditions to improve people’s health and wellbeing. We have looked at how we can apply wellbeing principles in a less permanent setting. This has involved items such as: • Employees being provided with re-usable bottles, bags and coffee cups, as well as going back a century and ordering glass milk bottles. • Each employee having his or her own plant to maintain and nourish. • Using close-door systems and draft stoppers and improving insulation to raise thermal comfort levels. • Flexible spaces for exercise, quiet, collaborative working, and mindfulness workshops. • Creative stations – employees can write on walls and share inspirational quotes.
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‘Fun’ areas on site, such as a games room with a football table, ping pong table and
darts board. Library of cookbooks, general magazines and books for employees to read, made from reused materials. • Instead of ordering the local takeaway, decent areas for cooking facilities, which normally include a healthy grill machine and coffee machine. • Bike facilities, including bike pumps and facilities for bike sharing. In addition, we have been analysing site conditions for toxins. Using certain plants, such as peace lilies and aloe vera, which are proven to remove contaminants from the air. Finishes, especially paint, are a key factor in indoor air quality and using paints made from sulphur – such as Graphenstone, which eliminates CO2 out of •
the air and purifies it, enhancing air quality. All our cleaning products meet the EU Ecolabel to ensure they are pollutant free. We have been using air monitors to show the change and improvement of the air. What other benefits do the above considerations have? It is too early in our research to show if this has decreased suicidal rates in construction – although we have seen that our people are really engaged with this topic as it directly affects them. We have found it helps to engage people on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, improved communication and productivity in teams, and general happiness in work. The ever-growing industry research on this topic will continue to influence Willmott Dixon Interiors’ approach to health and wellbeing and we are excited to see what the future holds for workplace design.w
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
WELL DONE, ACTIU When we heard that leading Spanish furniture manufacturer, Actiu, is aiming to become the first industrial park in the world to receive the WELL Certification, we immediately thought, ‘We’ve got a two-for-the-price-of-one story here!’ Not only is this a fantastic wellbeing case study, it’s also a fascinating focus on a great furniture business.
ctiu’s Technological Park in Castalla (Alicante) is in the process of becoming the first industrial complex in the world to receive the WELL v2 Platinum Certification, which
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All operating positions now have adjustable monitors and at least 25% of users work at adjustable workstations, allowing them to perform tasks in a seated or standing position. In addition,
accredits the company's headquarters as a healthy space, ensuring the wellbeing of those who work there. Thus, Actiu´s facilities would be on the list of the 17 healthiest buildings in the world and among the six WELL buildings in Spain – with the honour of being the only one to achieve Platinum status. This is in addition to the certification that the park previously had, in the shape of the LEED Platinum Certification, granted in 2017 by the US Green Building Council. This guarantees that its headquarters complies with sustainable architectural requirements. Applying the principles of WELL within the Technology Park has been an exercise in reflection that has led to improvements and adjustments in its workspaces. The process has provided Actiu with knowledge and experience that will enable it to implement those same values and principles
all operative task chairs are adjustable in height, depth and angle, perfectly adapting to each user. At Actiu, at least 70% of workstations have direct access to natural light, with roller blinds controlling glare. The design of the environment ensures that there are no changes in light intensity between different rooms. When it comes to thermal comfort, Actiu´s facilities have radiant heating and measurements are taken to verify that the temperature does not vary and that it is at the right level for optimum working conditions, as well as controlling humidity levels, which are kept between 30%-60%. Meeting and open areas are controlled by zoned thermostat systems that are accessible to all. From a conceptual point of view, the interior design is based upon the principles of biophilic
in the interior design and furniture projects it undertakes for its customers. These modifications have included everything from providing drinking and filtered water stations within 30 metres of any work area, through to implementing measures to promote sport, with the presence of sports trainers, as well as the provision of a gym and the internal promotion of healthy lifestyle habits. Fresh fruit is offered every day, vending machines selling healthy foods have been incorporated and the sensors and the methodology applied to measure the air and water quality have been adapted according to WELL parameters. In addition, operational positions have been updated with the company's new furniture ranges that, as well as providing credits for WELL certification, are more dynamic, facilitate collaboration and communication, and ensure superior comfort. Investment has even been made in the elimination of harmful substances in many products – such as formaldehyde in melamine boards.
design, with the space featuring patterns of nature. Hence, Actiu has specified an extensive range of natural finishes, such as wood and soft colours. The already existing interior gardens have been reinforced with ‘green corners’, while the windows enable natural light to flood into the space and provide great views of the outside world. Workstations have been organised in a more organic way, taking advantage of the shape of the furniture. Workstation surfaces have improved reflective capacity and communications, while physical activity benefits have been increased. The result of this transformative process has been precisely that: employees who feel comfortable in the space they work in, who know that it has been designed for them, that it benefits their health and in which collaboration and communication between teams is not only more natural, but more efficient – a space that has a direct impact on people's motivation and performance.w
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At Actiu, at least 70% of workstations have direct access to natural light, with roller blinds controlling glare
Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
ONE SIZE
DOES NOT FIT ALL The definition of ‘inclusion’ often focuses on removing physical barriers that make buildings and spaces accessible to as broad a range of people as possible. This is obviously vital to boosting diversity and creating spaces that are fair, but surely we also need to ensure that our buildings are sensitive to mental health and neurodiversity issues as well as other hidden disabilities. However, in practical terms, how do we achieve this? Helen Berresford, Head of ID:SR, has the answers.
he first step to tackling this issue is to be conscious of it. I have no doubt that, as the wellness agenda continues to get traction and mental health campaigns gain further
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to concentrate. This feeds into a project’s graphics and wayfinding strategy, challenging us to think more creatively about not just colour but how maps and symbols are used. By having this invaluable user
prominence, built environment professionals will be expected to understand how the design of spaces can promote healthy minds as well as bodies. Many people find the modern workplace a challenging environment: the bustle and activity of open floorplates – whilst great for fostering collaboration – can be a significant hindrance to those suffering with autism as well as other neurological and mental health conditions. In some instances, these conditions make it virtually impossible to work in a conventional office environment. It is the job of forward-thinking designers and occupiers to redefine the definition of inclusivity, broadening its scope whilst not impacting the vitality of the interior designs. As designers who work across corporate offices as well as spaces for learning and broadcasting, we
feedback, we can design spaces that promote good mental health whilst still being exciting spaces to use. When creating a variety of spaces, it is important to carefully consider lighting: non-flickering LED lamps and a drop in lighting levels, when compared to BCO standards, can evoke a more comfortable, domestic feel to the spaces, whilst dimmable lights within quiet booths can cater for personal preferences and disabilities. When discussing workplaces, we talk about the team dynamics, underpinned by collaboration, sharing and interaction. But workplace designers also have a responsibility to the individual and how they interact with the spaces: if you take a prospective recruit with an anxiety or neurological-related condition, the often intensely social atmosphere of an office is likely to be overwhelming and make working
are now seeing a shift in expectations, with project teams asking: how can we promote good mental health? And is it still possible to remain sensitive to neurodiversity issues without creating vanilla spaces? Colour, pattern and energy are key parts of a designer’s toolkit but they have to be applied in a way that is mindful of how a greater range of people experience spaces. We have started to work with neurodiversity experts from the start of a project, which shapes how we approach the design of spaces. This started by putting ourselves in the shoes of others; we used virtual reality headsets to replicate how people with different neurological conditions experience space. This bewildering and uncomfortable experience illustrates just how disruptive specific design features are to some and actively shaped the design of the internal spaces. This heightened sensitivity to how different people see the world means that we have to carefully consider how colours are used, particularly contrasting tones that impact some people’s ability
in a conventional workplace not an option. However, imagine that same individual with an alternative way of experiencing the office, giving people a choice of how they move around the buildings, as well as quiet zones where people could work in total silence. The choice between open and close spaces – along with informed designed decisions – could unlock a huge amount of potential whilst, at the same time, making better spaces for everyone. Workplace design has already acknowledged that one size does not fit all, with an increasing range of spaces that allow people to choose where and how they work creating a genuine choice between the bustle of open plan working and calmer spaces that people need to focus and decompress. Surely, with choice and variety already high on the agenda, this is an opportune moment to drive significant social change through the power of thoughtful and high-quality design, enabling a higher number of people with disabilities to thrive within an office environment.w
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
WELLBEING, AIR AND LIGHT Wellbeing makes up a fundamental part of any office design – if a basic level of wellbeing is not being achieved, then the design is underperforming. Over the next few years, wellbeing is expected to continue to become more and more embedded in our working lives. Oktra’s Nic Pryke tells us more…
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e are very excited to have recently signed the lease for our new office, sparking change throughout the company once again. The new design will address wellbeing as a top priority and we will implement the WELL building and Fitwel standards, as we fully intend to achieve these accreditations. Another major development in the new office will be the integration of digital technology sensors to help us enhance our wellbeing and performance. These will monitor a number of different aspects around the office: 1. Heat – a heat map will be displayed in real time electronically around the office. 2. Air quality, particularly CO2 – we already monitor this in our current office but the new office will give us more opportunity to intervene and negotiate with the landlord. Excessive CO2 levels can have a negative impact on cognitive function. 3. Occupancy levels – this electronic map will show which desks are available or occupied. Monitors around the office will show a combined occupancy plan and digital heat map, enabling people to select their desk or worksetting for the day based on temperature and colour coded occupancy. The purpose of monitoring these features is to hone the office’s functionality and make it respond to the way we are using it. Two of the most important influences of wellbeing are lighting and light. Undoubtedly our connection to our surroundings and the earth itself can influence our behavioural patterns and mood. Most people typically spend between seven and 12 hours indoors working each day and this can have significant repercussions on wellbeing if the right environment
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is not present. We are naturally and subliminally tuned into the earth’s cycle and respond to the way the sun is affecting the earth. When you’re in an office all day, you can miss out on the sun’s path, which can result in effects similar to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Our body clock responds to disruptions in the natural cycle of light, impacting both mood and productivity. The good news is that technology is adapting quickly to eliminate these negative effects, with more companies investing in modifying their products to provide a healthier user experience. For example, most phone and tablet screens now adjust their screen brightness and colour in relation to the time of day. More modern and wellbeing-focused offices, like Gymshark HQ, created by Oktra, will invest in adaptable, human-centric lighting systems that mimic the sun’s natural cycle. This can help with SAD effects and will also provide a cost-effective solution to energy waste, as the system identifies patterns of where activity usually takes place and focuses the light in these areas. Similarly, our new office features a lower ground floor level, which has no windows or access to natural light. This is a great opportunity for us to engage with advanced tech that is centred around wellbeing; we want to construct false windows, complete with the natural light cycle and even a view of our choosing. With this equipment we can create an accurate illusion of daylight so that people are unaware that it is an imitation. Research has identified positive brain reactions to blue light, which makes us more alert and productive. If we can maximise the hours of blue light through technology, we can impact work patterns and rest time, which are connected to wellbeing.w
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
THE BIOPHILIC OFFICE PROJECT There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that, by incorporating biophilic design into our built environments, we can increase our health and wellbeing. Biophilic design acknowledges that we are instinctively connected to nature and that, through exploring this connection within the spaces that we live, relax and work in, we can positively influence our physical and psychological health. Oliver Heath, Director of Oliver Heath Designs, knows his stuff.
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urrently, more than 130 million working days are lost to sickness absence every year in Britain and working-age ill health costs the economy a hundred billion pounds a year. Biophilic design in the workplace has been shown to increase productivity by 15%, increase creativity, improve staff retention and, crucially, reduce absenteeism and presenteeism – potentially saving businesses thousands of pounds. So with statistics like this, you may ask yourself why the uptake is so slow. Fundamental to this is a lack of creative thinking about Biophilic principles and a lack of vision; focusing on short-term costs rather than long-term human benefits. But with the World Green Building Council suggesting that 90% of typical business operating costs are attributed to staff – exploring ways of improving productivity and wellbeing makes good financial sense. Clearly, this is a subject that needs more rigorous investigation and research if we are to increase the uptake and creation of happy, healthier, more productive workplaces. Oliver Heath Design is currently working alongside the BRE in Watford to launch the Biophilic Office project – a three-year project to refurbish an entire floor of a working office on their campus to investigate the many benefits of the ethos. The approach is to deliver three separate spaces with low, medium and high end intervention levels; the concept aiming to demonstrate the return on investment of biophilic design within an existing office space at a variety of scales. Working alongside a host of core supporting partners, such as Interface, Dulux, Royal Ahrend, Waldmann Lighting and Ecophon, the project is pooling skills and knowledge whilst undergoing in-depth pre- and post-occupancy studies. The pre-occupancy study will set a baseline for how the existing space is performing for the occupants. The
results will inform the design process and contrast, we hope, with improved wellbeing and productivity demonstrated by the post-occupancy study once the project is completed later this year and into 2020. The data capture and timescale of this study makes the project unique. It will allow the project to provide guidance and evidence to those hoping to adopt biophilic design considerations within their refurbishments to promote health and wellbeing within the office environment. During the first and last stages, the office will be assessed in terms of daylight, indoor air quality, acoustic, thermal and humidity comfort. The staff will take part in confidential health evaluations, making use of wearable technology and online questionnaires. These assessments will quantify the positive influence of biophilic design on
productivity levels, health and wellbeing and show how such improvements bring rewards for landlords, occupiers, developers and those within the office and wider environment generally. The biophilic design process will involve three tiers of intervention: • The first tier will focus on the low-cost elements that staff can input themselves, such as rearranging furniture, images of nature on walls and desk plants. • The second will be more akin to a standard refurbishment, with lower cost changes such as repainting walls, biomimetic carpet tiles, timber cladding on walls and an organised planting scheme. • Finally, the third tier of intervention looks at some of the most cutting edge materials and technologies and will incorporate water features, green walls and circadian lighting systems designed to mimic natural lighting. The belief is that such interventions will positively impact on workplace related stress and aid mental and physical recuperation. The project will allow staff to feel valued, in turn increasing their desire to work in the office and increasing staff retention levels. Increasingly, we are seeing clients ask for proof points about how their money is spent and the value that it will bring. No longer can we simply approach projects with a straightforward visual design approach – we need to recognise that the spaces we surround ourselves in have a profound effect on our mental, physical and emotional states. Humancentred design has the ability to create a real need for the services that we offer, so we must ensure we have the evidence that demonstrates its value. The BRE Biophilic Office project will do just that – whilst creating spaces that are happier, healthier and, of course, more productive.w
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COME ON, HEAL THE NOISE! It’s more often than not at the top of the poll when it comes to things that irritate people in their workplace – and an enormous (and fixable) issue when it comes to wellbeing and happiness. Yet so many businesses continue to get it wrong or fail to address the issue. What are we talking about? Noise.
44% of those surveyed indicate their company does nothing to address noise, leaving employees to solve the problems themselves
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ffice workers say noise distracts, and creates additional stress and anxiety, according to the latest research. Leading global flooring player, Interface, recently released the results of ‘What’s That Sound?’ – a workplace study uncovering how sound and acoustics impact employees in business environments. The survey, conducted in partnership with Radius Global Market Research, reveals noise negatively impacts a majority (69%) of global employees’ concentration levels, productivity and creativity. More than 2,000 adult workers in the US, UK and Australia participated in the study, intended to inform employers on the importance of acoustical solutions for the current and future workforce. In addition to the negative impacts of noise on an employee’s wellbeing, the study highlights the perceived negligence of employers in finding solutions for noise in the workplace. Across the three countries, 44% of those surveyed
While doing away with collaboration is not the remedy to noise concerns, structuring environments with the right materials could make a difference. The majority of employees who work at offices with wood, ceramic tile and concrete flooring say it is noisy at their offices (54%) compared to those who work in offices with carpeting (45%). Only 31% report their workplace uses carpeting or area rugs to mitigate noise. The survey respondents work in a variety of settings, from assigned desks in open environments to shared offices and even cubicles. The top distractions across the globe include: • Conversations among employees (71%) • Phone conversations (67%) • Phones ringing (62%) • The sound of people walking around (54%) What are the future threats? The research indicates noisy offices cause increased levels of stress and anxiety, with 50% revealing noise levels would impact their decision to accept a job.
indicate their company does nothing to address noise, leaving employees to solve the problem themselves. Potentially concerning for employers, 16% of those surveyed choose to work remotely due to unsolved noise problems, revealing the need for more touchdown areas, focus rooms and designated quiet areas for employees to retreat. So, is the open plan office trend to blame? Well, nearly one-third (32%) of employees surveyed report working at an assigned desk or work station in an open environment. However, only 31% of all respondents indicate that employers provide private spaces for phone calls or conversations.
‘When creating workspaces, designers are often asked to apply planning methodologies or specify products based on design trends, rather than the specific operating needs of a business. But the best designs are those rooted in solutions specific to company culture, environmental aspirations and respect for individual user choice,’ explains Chip DeGrace, VP of Workplace Applications, Interface. ‘This study confirms the importance of creating a productive workspace that accommodates a variety of work styles and preferences.’ For the full results and methodology associated with ‘What’s That Sound?’ visit Interface.com/ Acoustics.w
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
DESIGNING FOR WELLBEING According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) the UK’s productivity levels recently lagged behind those of our European neighbours, while commentators continue to discuss the ‘productivity puzzle.’ Sarah Dodsworth, Creative Director at SpaceInvader gives us her own analysis.
Fact File Full-time employees in Britain worked an average of 42 hours a week in 2018, nearly two hours more than the EU average – equivalent to an extra two and a half weeks a year. A longer work week doesn’t appear to improve productivity – full-time employees in Germany work 1.8 hours a week less than those in the UK but are 14.6% more productive. In Denmark – the EU country with the shortest hours – workers put in over four hours less than UK workers, but productivity in Denmark is 23.5% higher. Source: TUC, 2019
s interior design specialists, we are well aware of the impact that the workplace environment can have upon wellbeing and productivity. A good example of this is a recent
A
The research found that these two groups are struggling with inhospitable working environments that do not support working out of traditional hours, painting a picture of cold, eerie and depressing
project that we undertook for a high-end occupier at Number One Kirkstall Forge, a stunning 57-acre mixed development just outside Leeds. Working closely with CEG, the developer-landlord, and tenant, Zenith, we acted as interior designers and workplace consultants, with a brief to create a working environment that was happy, safe and engaging, where employees would feel supported to achieve their very best, ultimately improving engagement, performance and productivity for every employee. This involved the introduction of ‘agile working’ a new concept for the businesses. Our design created notional neighbourhoods across the open plan office, each supporting a variety of work settings. The contrasting internal environments created an internal spaceplan arrangement that transcends the typical open plan office layout consisting of endless rows of desks – instead the arrangement provides a huge variety of spaces and settings to encourage the full spectrum of work styles. All stakeholders were extremely happy with the end solution and the agile working concept has been fully integrated into the company’s culture. As a result, staff turnover is down by 35%, despite an increased headcount. The link between the design of an office and its material impact on the health, wellbeing and productivity of its occupants has been supported by a recent survey commissioned by our parent company, Extentia Group, titled Overcoming the UK’s Productivity Challenge'. This study focuses on two distinct groups – Morning Larks (those who are more productive in the morning) and Night Owls (those who are more productive in the afternoon / evening) and explores how they prefer to work, and how we can adapt our workplace environments to maximise efficiency.
offices with a limited access to facilities such as refreshments. It would seem that some employers are missing out by failing to provide inspiring and supportive environments for their staff to work more effectively during their most productive periods of the day. When designing office space to support wellbeing and productivity, there are a number of key considerations. For example, employee safety is paramount, especially those working in partially occupied buildings at either end of the day. Employers may benefit from 'locking down' remote floors to concentrate employees into key suitable coworking areas, whilst also investing in building surveillance and security, especially during the darker months of the year. Through the integration of localised task lighting in general areas, layers of light can be used to create a harmonious environment for people to work in, meet in and even for live plants to thrive in. For example, contrast and brightness ratios can be controlled for a zone to be used as a working space, but can then be simply switched to an event setting for an evening team meeting or social event. It is important that the furniture selection accurately reflects the ethos of the workspace and meets the differing needs and requirements of a modern workplace. Acoustic quality is vital in ensuring that the space doesn’t just look good, but that it feels good when in use. At SpaceInvader, we believe that focusing on wellbeing can result in improved productivity, increased morale, fewer sick days and higher staff retention. Our solutions are designed to support this and to enhance built environments, transform cultures, drive productivity, and empower employees.w
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Spotlight | Health & Wellbeing
MENTAL FITNESS I have a slightly different take than most I hear today about managing mental fitness in the work environment, Arkeo CEO, Jana Dowling, tells us.
What I had built wasn't just for people with severe mental health issues, but it worked as a measure for everyone's mental fitness
Fact File 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year 90% people with mental health problems experience some form of stigma, whether from friends and family, at work or in education Two thirds of people with mental health problems believe that workplace stress contributes to their illness Source: Time to Change, 2019
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I
don’t talk about mental health or mental wellbeing. I talk about mental fitness. Why? Because people associate fitness being within their control – and it is. Mental wellbeing is
This realisation bolstered me and I decided to take my recovery on like a job and started tracking everything I was doing – my actions, my symptoms, sleep, diet etc. I used the data I was collecting to
associated with ill mental health, and I believe has too many negative connotations for people currently functioning well in life to get serious about. My definition of mental fitness is; it’s the same as physical fitness but it’s for your brain. We all have it, it goes up and down at different points in our lives and it’s impacted by lifestyle, life experiences and world events. And as much as empathy and sympathy are great, they don’t actually alleviate or change low mental fitness in the long term. What changes it? The same things that changes your physical fitness, understanding what works for you, setting targets and goals and taking action/training. I’ve developed a tracking system that does this, called MyArkeo, not originally as a business idea, because three years ago I needed it – and here’s why. I was working as a Production Manager in TV and starting to perform stand-up comedy in London. Things were going well in my life. I took a 20-minute stand-up set to the Edinburgh Festival and, when I returned to work, I just started to feel bad. I didn’t want to get out of bed and, at work, all I could think about was getting back into bed. Following comments and encouragement from friends and family, I went to see a doctor. I was diagnosed with depression and took the medication I was prescribed. The side effects hit me really hard, my productivity declined at work so, after a week and a half, I did what I thought was best and chucked them in the bin. Six weeks later I spent five weeks under 24-hour watch as a high-risk suicide patient. I had a plethora of mental health issues and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. When I was coming out of my episode I realised the impact it had on all those around me – my friends, family and work colleagues all experienced it too and it was damaging.
make decisions. I didn’t listen to my thoughts or feelings because, at that time, they were wrong. I recovered quickly and was able to return to work. A person I knew gave me an opportunity and supported me through the first stages of being back in the working environment. Shortly after, I was back up and running, tracking everything I was doing and in control. I started to meet people like myself, struggling with their mental fitness, losing jobs or unable to get work, so I set up a social enterprise – The 888 Collective. The sole focus was to help people with mental health issues get back into work. We took over a shed in East London, bought a second hand Panini machine and sold tea and toasties together. I taught all my staff my tracking system – and it worked. People felt better, more in control and able to manage their low mental fitness symptoms. We expanded and took the toasties into all the WeWorks around London and I developed a Personal Development and Mental Fitness Management course. I then realised that what I had built wasn’t just for people with severe mental health issues, but it worked as a measure for everyone’s mental fitness. This is how ARKEO came about – fitness for your brain. We have our mental fitness tracking app for individuals and provide a service to organisations so they can support employee mental fitness and ensure their work processes aren’t having a negative impact on staff. ARKEO is more than just tech, we are building a global fitness brand and the measure of mental fitness. Our goal is to empower 1 billion people to actively track their mental fitness by 2050.w For additional content, be sure to visit the Mix Interiors website: www.mixinteriors.com
Indoor Planting Just Got Active Indoor air quality (IAQ) is fast becoming a serious concern. At the same time as our buildings are increasingly sealed in an effort to reduce energy consumption, we now spend an average of 90% of our time indoors. In fact, recent studies have proved that indoor pollution can be up to 5 times higher than outdoor pollution and the World Health Organization has listed it as one of the most dangerous threats to our health. Plants and the associated soil microbes, that live on and around their roots have the ability to eliminate toxic pollutants in the air through a process called phytoremediation. Now, active air plant displays have combined nature and technology to exponentially increase the air flow through the plant and its roots, supercharging the power of plants to make them a powerful natural air purifier. An active air plant display can treat up to 36m3 of indoor air in 24hrs and can remove a staggering 93% of indoor air pollutants. We work with many leading interior design companies such as SpaceInvader to create healthy, green indoor spaces. Give us a call to find out more.
for a greener world
0800 358 2245 info@urbanplanters.co.uk www.urbanplanters.co.uk
Roundtable
Is biophilic design here for good?
W
ell, of course, in one sense of the word, biophilia is here for good – for the good of all of us. But is it simply another workplace element that is bang on trend today, only to be relegated down those wish lists tomorrow? We’re in Birmingham – well, to be more exact, high above the ‘Second City’ in Interface’s breathtaking new showroom in the Colmore Building – to take an in-depth look at biophilic design and ask a panel of industry experts what the future holds when it comes to making our green workplaces (literally) greener!
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Roundtable
THE DISCUSSION Possibly considered an expensive trend just a few years back, biophilic design is very much here to stay, in our humble opinion – either as a stand-alone element or as an important part of wellbeing and the wider workplace strategy. Indeed, we’re now starting to see an increasing number of projects where the implementation of biophilia is at the very heart of the scheme – not merely a box-ticking exercise or ‘the right thing to do’. So where is biophilic design heading and how do designers convince their clients of its worth? We begin by looking at a slightly wider picture and asking our esteemed guests to reveal what, in an ideal world, they would add to their perfect workplace? Charlotte: In my perfect workspace I would think about it from the perspective of what contributes to my happiness outside of the workplace and whether there could be certain things that I could bring into the space to make it more of a seamless experience. We spend so much time at work and there should be more of a crossover between the two, so it is a less corporate space and is somewhere more enjoyable to be. I would want somewhere that allowed me to
It’s about breaking those straight lines, using curves, textures and multiplicity of materials. It’s not about just sticking in some plants
feel healthy and feel well, somewhere with social connection and somewhere with intrigue and interest. I do think that a healthy workplace should merely be the default. You should have a workplace that promotes healthy living, so that it then becomes a habit. I enjoy being around people so I would need those connections – together with a variety of spaces that help facilitate different types of work, depending on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. Joe: Great shower facilities and secure bike storage are incredibly important to me – I do a lot of cycling, as you may well have guessed from my response! I don’t like it when those facilities are tucked away in dark areas, almost put in as an afterthought. Also, I think the nutritional offering is important – I do like good food and drink and my ideal workplace would offer those amenities. Alison: My perfect environment would have quite a specific element; I would require a warm sea breeze and air that isn’t processed within an inch of its life or isn’t full of Birmingham smog! Matt: To start with, I would say that I’m extremely proud of this space here – I truly believe it is one of the best offices I have seen for a long time. One thing I always look for in an office is how it connects me emotionally. When I walk into this space I do always get that emotional response. I think it makes a huge difference to the people who work here and the people who visit the space.
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Roundtable
Guy: I’m from Dorset originally and now work in Birmingham – so I’ve moved away from the sea breeze to just about the furthest possible point in the UK from the coast! When I think about what I’d actually like at work, the first thing is quiet, which is hopefully a reflection on my colleagues and not me! The second thing is somewhere with height and a view. Having come from somewhere that doesn’t really get above three storeys, I love a high building and a great view. Rachel Wi: My ideal office, being a bit of an introvert/ extrovert, depending on how I’m feeling, would again need to have a certain amount of quiet and I also like to be high up – I want a view, I want natural light and clean air. One thing I really would like – and obviously this would have to be an office where I was on my own – is a bath! I’m envisaging that amazing 1920s hotel in Morecambe. Oliver: I’m going to turn this around – and think about not what is in the office but what I’d like my office to be in! Just yesterday we had our summer day out and spent the day in a forest clearing, making fires with flints and foraging and weaving materials. It was so wonderful to be in the woods – it was really mindful. There was no signal – and it meant that everyone was so engaged in where they were and what they were doing. It felt so different to come back home from a day like that, spent in the woods. I think there is so much that we can take from these experiences and then bring into our workplaces. I’d really encourage people to get out and spend the day in the woods with a particular focus. Raj: My ideal office would probably not be that dissimilar to what we’ve already heard. It would definitely have to be light and airy – natural light is a key thing. I work in a smart office in the West End, but where I sit doesn’t get a great deal of natural light, and so I would really like to have a terrace ’or an alternative space that offered great natural light.
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Rachel Wo: My perfect office would definitely have great cycling and shower facilities. I also think that the entrance to a building is important – how you get into a building. I quite like to be hidden from people when I come into the building, having cycled in, looking a bit hot and messy. I would also like to have music in the bathrooms! We move on to talk about the matter at hand – biophilia. As we’ve already stated a little earlier, we’re seeing more thought and energy put into the implementation of biophilic design, which would suggest that it is now very much set in the minds of both the designer and the occupier as part of the wellbeing offering. Raj: I’d agree with that. I don’t think biophilia is about just putting a load of plants in an area without any real thought. It’s about integrating natural elements within a space – but carefully thought through. It’s about not just the actual plant itself – it’s about look, feel, texture, colour, smell… Joe: It’s also about variety within a space. It’s about natural features – but they don’t just manifest in the plants, they manifest in the materials in the space,
Roundtable
having a more tactile environment, having different levels of lighting, so it’s a more granular and more considered design – where you’re referencing nature, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be just planting. Alison: It is about variety. It’s about breaking those straight lines, using curves, textures and multiplicity of materials. It’s not about just sticking in some plants. For me, it’s also really important that it’s not plastic planting – that just destroys the whole thing. If you’re going to put plants in, they have to be natural – it is all about the use of natural materials. Guy: I’ve always felt that biophilic design should be approached by purpose-designing the elements in from the inception – rather than almost retrofitting a space with some plants. I think the design has to have the right intent from the start – and then has to be implemented correctly. Rachel Wo: I think it’s about how you interact with the space. Some people really like having their own plant, and then maturing that plant – that can be a really effective form of biophilia. I don’t think just throwing in some plants around a space works. Do any of our guests think that biophilic design still falls into that ‘box ticking’ exercise for a lot of businesses?
There is certainly an economic concern – you mention biophilia and people think it’s going to cost them a lot of money
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Roundtable
Biophilic design was of course encapsulated in the ‘mind’ section – although we know that spending time with and around nature is good for our physical health as well as our mental wellbeing
Rachel Wi: I think it does – although I certainly don’t think it should be! It should be integral from preconstruction rather than that historical afterthought, with someone walking around the space after completion, putting in a few plants. It should be right from the start, when you’re space planning. It’s not about just greenery – it’s about the look, the feel, the colours, the flooring etc. Our clients do talk about biophilia – but they often don’t know what it really means or entails. There is certainly an economic concern – you mention biophilia and people think it’s going to cost them a lot of money. I’m sure everyone here agrees that if you can increase productivity by introducing a better working environment, then the cost becomes almost irrelevant – you still have to explain that though. Guy: What we have seen is that, where we have implemented biophilic principles in spaces at a really early stage, we’ve been able to let them out really quickly, because they are so impactful. It is quite different if you’re not doing that and then having to persuade someone to spend their money on this at a later stage. Charlotte: Our clients rarely talk about ‘biophilia’. I think their understanding of it would be very tokenistic – tick the box and put a few plants in. What we do talk about, however, is natural light and connecting to
outside spaces and being able to see green spaces. They do talk about those things and know that these are things that they want – I just don’t think they’d ever refer to it as biophilic design. If you did talk about biophilic design, they’re likely to think about green walls and potted plants. We worked on a project last year for a charity – and it was so key to them to have the right space. They knew about all the principles and exactly what they needed, but they never would have associated it with biophilia or the WELL Standard or anything like that. Oliver: I think the WELL Standard is useful because it is so comprehensive - it ensures the implementation of aspects such as air quality, water quality, light, and nourishment – aspects that could be encased under an umbrella of biophilic design thinking. Whilst some concepts are more engineering based, biophilic design is the living aesthetic of wellbeing, making it an important part of the design process that we can help deliver. biophilic design is of course encapsulated in the ‘mind’ section – and it is essential, as we know, that spending time with and around nature is good for our physical health as well as our mental wellbeing. After all, we’ve spent 99.5% of entire evolution with very close connection to nature. We need spaces that help us sit and focus – but also to recuperate physical and mental energy and biophilic design tools allow us to do this. Rachel Wi: I actually think they’re going to start building much of this into regulations – just like they did with sustainability. And why shouldn’t we have regulations that cover happiness and wellbeing?
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CONCLUSION Well, going back to our original point of whether biophilia is here to stay, Rachel’s point that, along with other major elements of happiness and wellbeing, biophilic design could well go way beyond the certifications and actually become something regulatory certainly answers that question. Judging by our incredibly knowledgeable panel of designers, developers and occupiers, the way in which biophilic design will continue to be delivered in both a carefully considered and impactful manner can and will only add to its appeal. Here to stay? Absolutely.w
Roundtable
OUR GUESTS
OLIVER HEATH
RACHEL WOOTLIFF Sustainability Manager, Willmott Dixon Interiors
ALISON MONTEITH
RAJ RAJPUT
Owner, Oliver Heath Design
MD, Monteith Scott
MD, Hines UK
Oliver is an architectural and interior designer and a recognised global expert in biophilic design. His work is expressed in a number of mediums, including the design for
Rachel specialises in the fit-out and refurbishment market, with more than 10 years’ experience studying and working in the built environment. Rachel has done some intensive work
Alison has been practicing as an interior designer for longer than she'd care to admit to; having worked in retail design, exhibition design and within architectural
Raj is Managing Director of Hines UK, and is responsible for its commercial portfolio under management, both in London and in regional cities. He has led the
built environment, writing and media. He has acted as a spokesperson for the likes of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and is currently a Biophilic Design Ambassador for Interface.
to improve health and wellbeing in construction and design, looking into air quality, biodiversity enhancements and improving the comfort of internal spaces. She brings a proactive approach towards sustainability, influencing her colleagues and becoming a recognised professional in the wider industry.
practices, she has headed up Monteith Scott for more than 20 years. Punching well above their weight in terms of client profile value, Monteith Scott has earned a reputation for innovative, creative and effective workplace design. Alison is on the regional BCO judging panel.
refurbishment, repositioning and leasing of a range of high-profile developments including 25 Cabot Square in Canary Wharf, Broadgate Quarter in the City of London, and Brindley Place in Birmingham.
RACHEL WITHEY
JOSEPH HUDDLESTON Design Manager, Gensler
Senior Interior Designer, Glenn Howells Architects
GUY REVELL
Associate Director, Space Invader Rachel has worked for over 19 years within the design industry. Her projects have spanned the country, several of which have been award winning. Her experience crosses all design sectors, from workplace to hospitality, which she gained from working in exemplary architectural and interior design studios throughout her career. As well as being highly creative, she also prides herself on focusing on the user experience and putting the ‘human’ at the centre of any project from start to finish.
Joe is a qualified interior designer with extensive experience of both traditional and design and build methods of scheme delivery. He currently works on a diverse range of workplace-based projects, varying in scale and programme; working across differing time zones and engaging with a multitude of diverse cultures. He has a passion for researchbacked, thoughtful and honest design, wellbeing and the mentoring of the younger generations involved with the built environment.
Charlotte joined GHA’s Birmingham office in 2016 to lead a new interior design team. Her project experience spans a variety of sectors and scales, including hospitality, healthcare and commercial environments. Each scheme is developed in collaboration with the architecture, aiming to connect people with the built environment at a human scale. Before joining GHA, Charlotte gained valuable experience working for Foster and Partners’ interior design studio on large scale international projects.
Guy promotes inspirational workspaces across Birmingham, pairing potential customers with their ideal work environment. He is heavily involved in professional membership groups across the city, including the British Council for Offices NextGen Committee and BPS Birmingham. Bruntwood Works’ buildings across its portfolio in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool feature biophilic design throughout to improve the health and wellbeing of its customers.
CHARLOTTE GALLEN
Commercial Manager, Bruntwood
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Case Study | HSBC UK
Centenary Celebration Unless you’ve been stuck on a (love) island for the last couple of years, you can’t have failed to notice that HSBC UK chose to move its headquarters out of London and up to the ‘second city’ of Birmingham. Furthermore, if you’ve been to the centre of Birmingham recently, you’ve probably also noticed that there’s a ‘tiny bit’ of regeneration going on.
S
This Page: Level 03 Village Green – social and collaboration workspace.
itting on a site that has been vacant since 1997 and was formerly home to the Central Independent Television studios, HSBC’s first UK headquarters outside London is now home to 2,500 employees. 1 Centenary Square sits opposite Birmingham’s eye-catching library and, despite the construction work currently surrounding the new HQ, it doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to realise that the square will soon be a stunning civic heart of the city. The bank's move is seen as a huge vote of confidence in Birmingham, creating 700 new jobs. The design of this impressive 223,000 sq ft facility – courtesy of tp bennett – is tailored to suit the needs of HSBC’s new ring-fenced bank. The new headquarters has been designed to have its own unique identity within the HSBC portfolio and provides a workspace that supports staff wellbeing. Two bronze lions, nicknamed Stephen and Stitt, guard the entrance to 1 Centenary Square. The lions have a proud heritage in the bank, standing guard at HSBC head offices around the globe, including Hong Kong and London. HSBC head offices around the world are designed with feng shui principles in mind and a traditional feng shui ceremony to formally introduce HSBC’s iconic lions into Birmingham took place before the new headquarters was occupied. Stephen and Stitt are positioned at the ‘mouth’ of HSBC’s head offices in such a way to ensure the positive flow of energy, or ch’i, can flow through.
Speaking of welcomes, HSBC’s Arron Shelley and Naomi Buckley from tp bennett are on hand to guide us through the new facility. As we admire the grand, open ground floor reception space and lobby, our hosts tell us that the building is the first in Birmingham to be constructed to LEED Gold accreditation, with sustainability at the heart of its design. ‘This is certainly going to be a great spot to be in the city,’ Naomi confirms. ‘Originally, we worked on the building with Make, who did the base build – and this was originally a spec build, as part of the Arena Central development. We worked on a framework with HSBC and tendered for the project – and because they felt that we understand the market, they wanted us to bring that expertise here to Birmingham. We’ve also worked in collaboration with Make a number of times. We supported HSBC from our London office, while our Manchester team also supported Galliford Try, who did the construction here. ‘When HSBC decided to take this on – back in 2015 – it was early enough in that phase to be able to adapt spaces, such as this reception, which we’ve opened up and we’ve also visually connected the restaurant with the street, while we also have visibility up to the first two floors, which are now the training facility – HSBC University. ‘When we did the design workshops with the bank, we realised that it was important to have that connection and something quite striking here – so when you saw a picture of the reception you’d
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Newback Design: Martin Ballendat
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Case Study | HSBC UK
Left: Entry lounge and digital wall.
Project Team Client HSBC UK Architect tp bennett (fit-out) make architects (base build) Interior Designer tp bennett Flooring Suppliers Interface, Attiro, Domus Tiles, Havwoods, Tarkett, Gerfloor, Floors4Gyms, Forbo, Craven Dunnill Project Ceramics, Tretford, Bolon, Solus Ceramics, Karndean, Ege Carpets
know that it’s HSBC UK’s reception in Birmingham rather than any of the other global HQs.’ ‘I think this had to be different,’ Arron considers. ‘We already had an iconic head office in London – but we were becoming a separate bank, solely for the UK. We could have gone for Canary Wharf part 2, but that would have been an extension of the bank that we already had. This had to be something unique, to reflect the different culture here. ‘Having the lions at the front was a big deal as well. An HSBC head office is only a head office when it has the lions out front! We might be a bit different, but we’re still part of this global family. ‘This is a quirky building in some ways – again, that was part of us wanting to be different – but it was important that, at the same time, we didn’t alienate our traditional customers with the features and the colours – so it hasn’t got a giant slide through the middle of it!’ ‘When we were looking to push the current HSBC standards, one concern from the exec board was how those existing customers would feel walking into this new HQ,’ Naomi continues. ‘So we’ve ensured that the formal face of the bank – the ground floor and level 10, which is the client meeting area – is seamlessly finished to align with the base build. When you get onto the workplace floors, we’ve added the more playful elements for the staff.’
A HSBC head office is only a head office when it has the lions out front! We might be a bit different, but we’re still part of this global family
The one ground floor facility that does go slightly against the grain is the bright and brilliant 180seat restaurant. ‘We always had the same kind of restaurants throughout the portfolio,’ Arron tells us. ‘They certainly all had a similar feel with similar finishes. This has a real high street feel – and the food is amazing! Birmingham isn’t particularly known for salad eaters, but we’ve tried to make everything healthier and there are so many options! The salad bar is packed every lunchtime. It looks great and is so busy. We have another café on the 7th floor and we have a great terrace area that people can use. ‘We’re also trying to stop using plastic – so we have cans of water rather than bottles, and the knives and forks are compostable. We want the
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Case Study | HSBC UK
entire building to be as sustainable as possible – and people have really bought into it.’ ‘I think that, when you start from the building’s inception, those bad habits don’t start forming,’ Naomi agrees. ‘This is a real fresh start for the new building. It was also important that we looked at the furniture, the finishes and the flooring and tried to be as sustainable as possible with our selections. They’re really concerned with the life cycle of their buildings.’ The building’s green credentials are, indeed, incredibly impressive. A reduction in energy consumption of almost 24% compared to typical new build offices; some 30% of the materials used
Top, Down: Cantilevered atrium staircase. Workspace meeting and focus rooms. Entry lounge, with HSBC University above.
in the construction came from recycled sources, including one quarter of the steel used for the main structure; expected reduced water usage of 34%; over 30% of those materials used in the construction have been sourced and manufactured locally; and in far more than a mere nod to biophilia, over 9,000 plants create a living green wall from the ground floor atrium all the way up to the 10th floor lift lobby. Speaking of the lobby, this is where we get a first glimpse of one of tp bennett’s most important interventions. ‘One of the additions we made to the base build was this staircase to connect all the floors,’ Naomi tells us as we look up at the dramatic feature. ‘Quite an important part of our brief was to enhance connectivity and collaboration between the teams. People have moved here from multiple buildings and multiple sites, who have worked quite traditionally, so it was really important to connect the floorplates together and encourage people to move between the floors.’
The Client The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation was founded by Sir Thomas Sutherland in 1865, in the then-British colony of Hong Kong HSBC's international network comprises around 7,500 offices in over 80 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa The HSBC lions have become distinctive landmarks in Hong Kong and Shanghai, with a further pair found in London - nicknamed Stephen and Stitt after senior managers from the 1920s
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Case Study | HSBC UK
‘This is the very first building that is open in this way,’ Arron reveals. ‘There was concern that we wouldn’t have secure door access between business areas. It was decided very early on that this is a head office building and we’re going to let people collaborate fully. Once people are through the turnstiles on the ground floor, they are free to work almost wherever they want to. They don’t need doors. People can explore, can sit where they want – and these stairs are used far more than any of us expected. They’ve been a bit of revelation, to be honest.’ We move up to the elegant and generous 10th floor client suite, which features a concierge service, a real mix of formal meeting room sizes, dining facilities, open meeting/event space and a brilliant terrace overlooking the city and its transformation, before taking a first look at the working floors. All these floors boast, adjacent to the staircase, a central breakout zone and teapoint. ‘At the heart of each floor we created these collaborative hubs to help further connect the levels together,’ Naomi shows us. ‘The idea is that, as HSBC UK has moved to the middle of the country, these hubs feel as though you are escaping the city, going back to green pastures and village life. We’ve themed each level as a village green from different regions around the UK. 'Each has a different layout and design – to encourage people to move around and find their own favourites.’
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Each design may be different, but the placement of these hubs, with large, open, bright working floorplates to either side, makes navigating the building incredibly straightforward and intuitive. ‘The floorplates are also incredibly flexible – teams can move and come together really easily,’ Naomi explains. ‘We have retreat zones – quieter working areas – if people need to concentrate and we have also tried to avoid the traditional banking of desks.’ ‘People are even starting to create their own neighbourhoods – we’ve found that they’re starting to use the space in a really agile way – creating their own scrum areas and moving between floors,’ Arron enthuses. ‘It’s so encouraging to see them working in this way. People have their own favourite spaces and different ways of working. It’s great. They’ve really bought into it.’ The first and second floors are dedicated to the HSBC UK University – the bank’s centre for learning and development, with conference facilities, a 110-seat lecture auditorium and breakout and team-building areas. Facilities to encourage an active workforce include a gym with virtual classes and, for those cycling to work, storage for 140 bikes and dedicated changing areas and drying rooms for cyclists’ clothes. ‘HSBC UK are pretty progressive in the way they allow the staff to work,’ Naomi concludes, ‘and the staff are also pretty forward-thinking in how they work.’ Progressive and forward-thinking – sums things up nicely.w
Top, Down: Level 07 staff café. Building reception and entry lounge.
It was also important that we looked at the furniture, the finishes and the flooring and tried to be as sustainable as possible with our selections. They’re really concerned with the life cycle of their buildings
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Case Study | Iris
This Page: Contrasting timber flooring helps create definition between spaces whilst preventing the need for physical barriers. All Iris photography: Henry Woide
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Case Study | Iris
Eyes are Smiling The world of advertising is a fast moving one, and so creative innovation agency, Iris, knows that it needs to continuously progress and evolve in order to stay ahead of the game – hence the business’ tag line, ‘For the forward’. Iris doesn’t just apply this philosophy to its clients, but to its own business too. Mix 197 September 2019 | 81
Case Study | Iris
O
rganic growth within the organisation
over recent years had resulted in a fragmented workplace, with teams working in silos across several floors, and so they were looking for a new home that connected everyone and everything together, that better reflected their work and ethos, inspired creativity, and allowed them to deliver a truly integrated service to their clients. ‘Our old office wasn’t fit for purpose,’ Grant Hunter, Iris Executive Creative Director Europe, explains. ‘People were spread out over different floors. We had to mould ourselves to the space, whereas here we’ve managed to get the space to adapt to us.’ London-based design and research studio, Spacelab, carried out in-depth research to understand different teams’ needs, and identify how Iris could get the best out of a space in order to optimise the potential for creativity and collaboration. Based on this, Spacelab helped them find a new home – right on the banks of the Thames and spread across a single floor, bringing the whole team together for the very first time.
Different parts of the business that were previously on completely different floors are now just metres apart, which generates a much better sense of team
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‘Spacelab challenged our vision because we were looking at a bigger space,’ Dan Burman, Iris Creative Operations Director, says. ‘Through the workplace study and their heat mapping tool, they taught us that the space that we originally wanted was probably the wrong size. They helped us understand what we did actually need – and it really pushed us into an amazing space that we probably never would have gone for without them.’ The new space has completely transformed how Iris functions as a business, with every detail designed to support a more agile way of working and nurture collaboration. Stepping through the door, it’s impossible to ignore the infectious energy and buzz. Informed by their unique spatial analysis tool, Spacelab kept the space open with minimal internal partitions – breaking down the barriers, both mental and physical, between the teams and with visitors, to deliver a completely collaborative, energetic and unique atmosphere.
Leading UK furniture manufacturer Clockwise from top: Bespoke joinery helps guide the lines of sight and creates definition between different zones. A range of workpoint types offers the team a choice of where to work to best suit their tasks. The agency’s branding is embedded through the space, such as in the manifestations designed in collaboration with Iris.
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Case Study | Iris
‘The barriers have really come down between departments,’ Grant continues. ‘Different parts of the business that were previously on completely different floors are now just metres apart, which generates a much better sense of team.’ Through keeping the space open and shifting away from allocated desking to an agile way of working and a diverse environment of workpoint types, Spacelab has created a flexible and adaptable space, which allows Iris’ teams to grow and move fluidly around the floorplate. As a result, the total headcount can grow comfortably by 20%, preventing the need to lease additional space, or move to a new home again. We’re all aware that having conversations with people, whether planned or unplanned, is so important for people’s wellbeing, and also for inspiring creativity – and this is, of course, a core element of Iris’ business. In their new world they are no longer tied to their desks, with a variety of
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communal and collaborative areas designed to encourage socialising and coworking between teams, giving everyone the freedom to collaborate and interact with a variety of colleagues throughout the day – something they previously wouldn’t have had the chance to do. The new social hub – the real heart of the space – has been positioned to take full advantage of the views across the Thames, whilst also being visible from across the whole floorplate. All of this contributes to the undeniable buzz felt throughout the space. ‘The old office always used to feel like a library,’ Grant recalls. ‘Whereas now, when you walk into our space, there’s this energy, a sense of excitement – which is really important for a creative agency.’ Spacelab has also designed a series of ‘creative hubs’, which provide a variety of flexible environments for collaboration between different teams and spaces that are ideal for people to discuss and present ideas.
The new social hub – the real heart of the space – has been positioned to take full advantage of the views across the Thames, whilst also being visible from across the whole floorplate
Above: Digital installations display Iris’ work throughout the space.
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Case Study | Iris
The Client
Iris is a creative innovation network of over 1000 people in 17 offices, working with some of the world's biggest businesses including Samsung, adidas and KFC. The agency was formed in 1999 by a team of six people around a single client. In 2014, leading Korean marketing company Cheil Worldwide acquired a significant investment in the agency.
Both existing clients and potential clients often visit Iris, and so it was important that the space fully reflected this integrated and collaborative approach to work. Spacelab has carefully crafted the client journey, from the first step through the door, through the whole space, and finally culminating in the client pitch room with full panoramic views of the Thames. By maintaining the openness of the floor, clients and visitors have full visibility of the Iris teams as they walk through, and can feel the energy of what is going on around them. Iris’ brand is embedded along every step of the journey, from the reception manifestations, which have been designed in collaboration with the team, through to the digital screens and trophies throughout the floor, which display Iris’ impressive work and achievements. ‘Our old building just didn’t feel like us,’ Dan considers, ‘and our clients were completely underwhelmed when they came to see us. Now our work and our space reflect one another, and clients love coming here.’ The contrasting timber floor finishes and lines created by the lighting and lowered ceiling rafts also help guide the client journey. Furthermore,
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Top, Down: The client journey has been carefully crafted, from the moment a visitor steps through the door into the reception area. The social hub, positioned to take full advantage of the views across the river, provides space away from desks for socialising.
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Case Study | Iris
these lines help create definition between the different areas, such as the alternative workpoints to the left and the desk spaces to the right. Exposed features create an industrial feel, and are perfectly balanced with bespoke joinery and soft furnishings, to create a boutique, comfortable, professional environment. Throughout the research and design process, Spacelab harnessed cutting edge VR technology. Working in iterative cycles, they got the users to test the spaces in virtual reality as the design developed, and then hone the scheme in response to feedback at every stage. For example, creative collaborative spaces were a key part of the brief, and users were able to test the creative hubs throughout the design process to ensure they were fully suited to their needs. Iris now has a space that fully encapsulates their ethos of ‘for the forward’, and is moulded to how they work. The buzz of the space, created through their collaborative working style, is tangible as soon as you enter it, and fully reflects this forwardthinking business. ‘It’s made us collaborate,’ Dan enthuses. ‘It’s made the work stronger. It’s made us interact more. It’s made us visibly see more work upon the walls. It’s made us visibly be able to comment and strengthen all the ideas, because they are more visible to everyone.’ Not something we get to see every day. Our eyes have been opened!w
Now our work and our space reflect one another, and clients love coming here
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Project Team Client Iris Interior Designer Spacelab Project Manager Savills Furniture Suppliers The Furniture Practice Flooring Suppliers Havwoods, Chroma Furniture Suppliers United Strangers, Icons of Denmark, Bestuhl, Hitch Mylius, Muuto, Dare Studio, Warm Nordic, Johanson, NORR11, Menu, Gubi, byKATO Storage Suppliers Metal Office Other Suppliers Hicks Joinery, Overbury, Savills
Top Down: Bespoke joinery and soft furnishings have been used throughout, resulting in a high end, boutique and comfortable environment. Communal and collaborative areas positioned to encourage social interactions.
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Mind and Seoul Although our focus is, of course, very much on the UK market, when our friends at Gensler London scooped the Mixology award for Medium Commercial Project earlier this year, we wanted to find out more about their incredible scheme – regardless of its geography.
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Case Study | Hyundai Card
Above: Informal collaboration space.
T
he project in question is Digital Hyundai Card’s Pixel Factory in Seoul, South Korea. The Pixel Factory intends to encourage and support the growth of innovation across all levels of the business. It was conceived with the aim of creating an environment that encourages people to connect with people, in a comfortable, flexible and intuitive fashion. The 32,000 sq ft space is designed with a variety of settings that support staff who live and work in a connected world and for whom
digital communication comes as second nature. Finished with a deceptively simple, yet bold, colour palette, as well as minimalist furniture and fixtures, the space offers a calm canvas as a background to daily activities. In keeping with the industrial aesthetic, the environmental graphics and wayfinding programme is largely based on factory graphics with a raw and unpolished design language. Gensler’s team has created an attractive, comfortable and user friendly work environment
that is simple to use and helps foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. Gensler set out to create an environment which helps the firm optimise, attract and retain the talent that it needs to focus and succeed in its digitalisation effort. Designed with an emphasis on the daily experience of individual workers, the Pixel Factory is conceived as a space that is tailored to encourage and support the growth of innovation across all levels of the business
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Case Study | Hyundai Card
Caption: The bright overhead conveyor belt physically connects the team and their work across the space.
The space is designed with a variety of settings that support staff who live and work in a connected world and for whom digital communication comes as second nature. Gensler worked closely with Hyundai Card to design a space that embraces all digital tools, allowing employees to produce their best work every day. At the same time, it provides a platform that supports the collective use of connected devices, software and interfaces and encourages the intersection of people, organisation and tools. The working relationship, we discover, started over 12 years ago, when Gensler was asked to design Hyundai Capital’s US headquarters in Irvine, California. From there, the design and architecture firm was commissioned to design further projects in the US, Germany, UK, China and South Korea, as well as an air lounge at Incheon Airport in Seoul. After more than 20 varied projects, in half a dozen countries, over the last decade, Gensler and Hyundai Capital have indisputably attained a meeting of minds. As Philippe Paré, Managing Director and Design Principal, explains: ‘Our relationship has evolved to where Hyundai Capital’s CEO, Ted Chung, is more of a patron than a client. He presents a clear vision, then gives us free rein as we fully understand Hyundai Capital’s
business needs and culture and, most crucially, put an onus on making the new space lean, agile and authentic without trying to make a design statement. ‘Our design has also been a positive agent for change. For our first project, we designed a very pristine and minimal workplace to strengthen Hyundai Capital's position as a leading global financial services firm. Fast forward 12 years later, they’re now a well-established player in the industry and confident enough to provide a more relaxed and approachable design that’s tailored to the needs of its employees.’ We ask about the process itself – and how Gensler’s team was able to look after and work with its client in Korea. ‘Everything is easier when you’ve worked with a client for so many years. There is a mutual understanding of how we can work well together whilst being in different locations. There is real trust, and we therefore don’t have to see each other every week,’ but, as Philippe explains, ‘you do need touchpoints throughout the project.’ The design team at Gensler organised regular virtual meetings, a visioning session, in person, with Hyundai Capital’s CEO at the very beginning of the project and a series of workshops in South Korea.
Everything is easier when you’ve worked with a client for so many years
Project Team Client Hyundai Interior Design Gensler Furniture Provision By client Flooring Suppliers Tretford, Interface, Jaymart Furniture Vitra, Herman Miller, Hay, Magis
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Case Study | Hyundai Card
‘We also selected a contractor that we knew well to deliver the project,’ adds Philippe. ‘We’ve worked with them for several years in South Korea and, because of that, they’re familiar with the level of execution and details we look for in our projects.’ So what were the biggest challenges for the design team?
Anticlockwise from Top Right The space is designed with a variety of settings that support staff who live and work in a connected world and with whom digital communication comes to as second nature. Moveable meeting rooms empower employees to make the space their own and encourages collaboration. Creating an attractive, comfortable and user friendly work environment that is simple to use and fosters a culture of collaboration. Biophilic touches are found throughout the workspace.
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‘The main challenge was to imagine a space that would be approachable by the employees,’ explains Philippe. ‘Hyundai Card has always put a lot of emphasis on the aesthetic of its workplaces but they also wanted to make sure that this wouldn’t come at the expense of employee comfort and wellbeing. Indeed, they wanted to empower employees to take full advantage of the flexibility that we built into the design and make it their own. ‘We also wanted to create a space that had a certain rawness and authenticity to it, but not do so in a contrived, pastiche, industrial-looking way. To achieve this, we’ve only selected raw and authentic materials. Nothing was artificially distressed along the way.’ Importantly, Hyundai Card was moving towards an increasingly digital culture, shifting its focus away from traditional financial services into fintech. As a result, the company was looking for a brand new workplace environment – for the people in charge of this digital transformation – that would reflect this genesis whilst ensuring its people could flourish and thrive in a beautiful, vibrant and comfortable space. The project concerned two floors in one of the two towers owned by Hyundai Card in South Korea. ‘The most important criteria was to create a flexible environment,’ Philippe considers. ‘That particular group of people we’ve designed for is very much at the cutting edge of the digital transformation. Change is the only constant for them, and it’s impossible to predict how they will work two years from now and how their needs might evolve as a result. ‘As this is a tech-employee base, they’re used to a very flexible work schedule and so we needed to create a space where employees felt comfortable spending long hours within.’
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Case Study | Hyundai Card
As a result, the team at Gensler put emphasis on biophilia throughout the space to energise the employees, whilst creating a multitude of work settings, from meeting rooms on wheels to communal areas to better address their needs. So how has the project been received by these users? ‘Very well received!’ Philippe tells us. ‘Although the needs of this particular group are unique, a number of our design elements and features, such as the biophilia and the ad-hoc planning of desks, have been co-opted by other business units, and today this remains the benchmark project that’s getting employees excited across the company. ‘In Asia, most companies have a sea of workstations with very regimented desks, whereas here it’s more loose – managers don’t have private offices. This has created a more centralised social area and a level of informality that’s new and fresh in South Korea. ‘There weren’t any global standards per se, but a sense that, at the end of the day, the project needed to be impeccably detailed and executed. There’s a rigor and a purpose to everything we do. And whilst each project we design for them is different, you can always tell you are in a Hyundai Card space as they each embody the essence of what the brand stands for.’ Finally, we ask Philippe to tell us about his favourite elements of this incredible, innovative scheme. It turns out that, for Philippe, it’s the
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In Asia, most companies have a sea of workstations with very regimented desks, whereas here it’s more loose
conveyor belt. As the space is highly connected, with a wide range of digital devices and the networks that support them, managing the unavoidable cables and chargers became a challenge. Gensler responded by turning them into a focal point, creating a bright overhead conveyor belt to house them. ‘It physically and symbolically connects the teams and their work, whilst providing the necessary infrastructure that supports all alternative settings for creation and experimentation,’ Philippe concludes. ‘Also, the fact that it’s a super ubiquitous component – it’s something that you find on every project and that we usually try to hide from sight. But because it’s been carefully thought-through, it’s making something ordinary and usually overlooked by everyone into something that’s extraordinary. ‘The conveyor belt is a good metaphor for what Hyundai Card is about: a company that’s doing something differently and seeing something that others can’t see.’ w
This Page Clockwise from Top Left Focus workspace with personal booths. Hyundai Card’s Pixel Factory includes a variety of flexible, alternative work settings, including a library for quiet space. The 'conveyor belt'.
Case Study | Hyundai Card
Clockwise from Top Left A home away from home that fosters collaboration and informal conversation. The feature staircase enables serendipitous encounters with everyone from existing colleagues to future collaborators. Meeting rooms separate work stations from a variety of collaborative areas and third spaces.
The Client Hyundai acquired Diners Club Korea in 1995, changing its name to Hyundai Card in 2001. In 2018 Hyundai Card co-developed the successful Gapado Project with architectural studio One O One and Korea’s Jeju province – aimed at building a sustainable economic infrastructure on Gapado Island, South Korea, which has seen a declining economy and population over the past few decades.
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Review | MixInspired
Aisling McNulty Development Director Bruntwood
Naomi Timperley Co-founder Tech North Advocates
Karen Broadbent Business Change Manager, Bupa
Mix Emotions
Muriel Altunaga Aguirre Director, Workplace Advisory CBRE
We recently took over Barclays Eagle Lab at Bruntwood’s Manchester HQ for another fascinating MixInspired, this time on the topic of emotional design. The session explored the importance of emotional design within the workplace, and the impact it can have on the end user.
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ur expert panel comprised Muriel Altunaga, Director of Workplace at CBRE; Karen Broadbent, Change Manager at Bupa; Aisling McNulty, Development Director at Bruntwood; and Naomi Timperley, Co-founder of Tech North Advocates. Here is a mere snippet of what proved to be a very lively discussion from a panel with a real variety of experiences. We asked our panel to consider the leading factors behind emotional design, and the driving trends behind the concept however, before diving into this hugely broad subject, we asked the panellists to tell us a bit about themselves. Muriel: I’ve been working within workplace strategy and design for the last 20 years – I started young! I am a trained architect. One of the main projects we are working on at the moment is with the Post Office, who are looking to move from a more traditional environment to more a more techready space, to attract a younger and more vibrant audience. We're also working with Aviva – they are going for a similar position with all of their portfolio. The challenge is around how we can deploy the same kind of environment all around the country.
Karen: I’ve been involved in trying to change people’s behaviours and cultures for the past 10 years. I’m not an architect or anything technical like that, I just deal with people! I’m currently working with Bupa on the implementation of their workplace strategy, which is designed to bring the workplace and the workplace experience from a variety of places, including a 1970s office block, into a modern 21st century environment, which is attractive to people and supports retention and helps people to have the best day at work possible. We’ve just completed Bupa Salford Quays, which was a new build. We’ve also transformed our Leeds office, which was two very dated 1970s buildings, which we’ve now merged into one rented space that is fitted out to the same standard as Salford, with the same expectations.
We came to the conclusion quite quickly that it wasn’t just a building project – it was a change project
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Review | MixInspired
Aisling: I'm a Development Director at Bruntwood, specialising in mixed-use development schemes. As a business, we’re a provider of space for people to work in, people to live in and also to improve the communities around us. I've been at Bruntwood for 13 years and have seen the business change quite a bit in that time. Amongst other major projects, we’re currently working on Circle Square by Oxford Road station. Naomi: I’m Co-founder of Tech North Advocates, which is a private sector led advocacy group. It's part of something that's global – there are around 10,000 people globally. My day job is a consultant working with tech and digital companies around scaling-up through partnerships and engagement. I'm also chair of the University of Salford Business School's advisory board; I sit on the board of Future Everything, which is an arts organisation that fuses tech with digital to solve problems…and loads of other things! The pressures that employees are under – the time spent at work, the complex relationships they have – it’s no wonder there’s a carousel of emotions in their every day. How do you design for that, and what have you done to a workplace that impacted on users’ emotional experience? Karen: We're taking a very large workforce of 2,500 out of three buildings, which were dated, difficult to access, low lighting, old furniture, with high levels of churn. We came to the conclusion quite quickly that it wasn’t just a building project – it was a change project. The first thing we had to do was to find a reason why people would want us to create a new environment for them, and then we had to give them a foothold into the change – so it’s not all about us doing it to them, it's about giving them as much opportunity as practical to influence the change in the workplace and ensure they could see that taking shape. We created an enormous education and communications programme; we did site visits and we produced lots of collateral that they could take away. Our aim was for them to have their best day at work every day – that’s our strapline!
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We are all different emotional beings, we’re all individuals with different approaches to different things. Our response to what happens around us is different – depending on gender, age, culture
We moved them in and now we have testimonies from people who have been coming into offices which were past their best for 20 years who can now turn around and say they feel privileged to work in this place and it makes such a difference to their day – they own it basically. Have you been able to assess their emotional state there today? Can we measure happiness? Karen: We do workforce surveys, the NPS score improved, attendance has improved, and we have had what I describe as ‘Lazarus moments’. People who have been off work for a long time, who we couldn’t entice back into the workplace, have come back into work because they’ve had feedback from people who are there, who have said that the experience is different and that it has made a difference to them. In terms of employability, we assessed every single role to determine the level of agility that would be attached to a particular role, because
Review | MixInspired
we're a very diverse organisation – and there’s even more that we can do to promote the fact we have this amazing building and this amazing experience. It's filtering through via sites like Glassdoor and will really help us when we’re trying to attract new people to show that not only is this a company with great benefits, but also that the workplace experience is second to none. We're going to talk about emotional experience, which is a hugely broad subject. What is emotional experience – what exactly are we talking about?
Muriel: Firstly, we are all different emotional beings, we’re all individuals with different approaches to different things. Our response to what happens around us is different – depending on gender, age, culture etc. Secondly, we already know there are some specific elements that are created with the ability to improve concentration, focus and to be calmer around the space we're occupying, based around lighting, acoustics, the sense of belonging and identifying yourself within this space. Other elements are related to ourselves: our systems, our health, the food we eat… We can design something like a hotel, where someone is there by option – so they have the option to leave the space and never go in again – but in the workplace we’re there for the next 5/10 years. Therefore, we are engaged on a permanent basis with this space. CBRE ran a sample of two teams and spent six months to try to understand
I think the most important thing is people – getting them to talk to each other, having conversations. That's how things happen.
Mix 197 September 2019 | 103
Review | MixInspired
We have testimonies from people who have been coming into offices which were past their best for 20 years who can now turn around and say they feel privileged to work in this place
how different spaces impacted on individuals. We improved air quality, improved the presence of plants and biophilic design, improved noise control. The level of accuracy increased almost 40% with the presence of things such as a biophilic design/ concept and noise control that meant the level of concentration increased. The most interesting results from this research related to nutrition and food – those who consumed sweet snacks, like donuts, were around 25% less likely to concentrate than those who took an apple at the same time! What's the single most important driving force behind the trend in emotional design? Naomi: Ultimately, it’s about cost. Aisling: I think staff retention is such an important thing for businesses, the people are the single biggest factor and if you can't get the right people through the door and keep those people, you're failing your organisation and your expansion plans, and this is ultimately the front window to your
brand, so if you want people who work for you to be intelligent and like-minded, and you can’t show a space that represents your brand and business, then you'll fail to attract these people. Muriel: Also, it's very interesting how many clients approach us and say they want to change. Five years ago it would be, 'You're a financial company, you'll be like this; you're a pharma company, you will be like this.’ But then the likes of Microsoft and Google took the first approach to a new concept of workplace experience and suddenly clients want to be like those kinds of companies. Naomi: It's all very well and good being like that: you can have ball pits, allow dogs etc – but ultimately you need to look after your staff, mentally and physically.
What technology do you think we will see in the future workplace? Naomi: I'm old school. I think the most important thing is people – getting them to talk to each other, having conversations. That's how things happen. There's a big thing around people working in their own time – and therefore being more productive. Having people that can be more agile and quicker at doing things because they can work in their own time – I think that's really powerful. And thanks to technology you can work anywhere in the world. That's the future! Muriel: Combining technology and experience, it's interesting to go through the technology that replicates the experience both in the built world and the tech environment. There's some interesting technology being developed – so everything related to your journey around the workspace is contained within a single platform.
Review | MixInspired
What Our Partners Thought Bruntwood Works was delighted to partner with Mix Interiors for this MixInspired panel discussion, where experts, including Bruntwood’s Development Director, Aisling McNulty, shared their perspectives about the importance of emotional design within the workplace and the impact it has on employees.
We’re delighted to partner with Mix Interiors once again, but this time as part of their successful MixInspired panel discussions. We enjoyed the insightful views of the professionals on the panel, putting emotions and the workplace in the spotlight. As a topic we’ve been championing for a while now, we know from working with the design industry that emotions are a big driver when it comes to creating a positive and productive experience in the workplace, and humans are prone to forming emotional connections with objects on varying levels. As well as the wider design scheme, the floor is an important consideration and can easily influence the way users perceive, feel and move in spaces. The floor can create an emotional connection with users, whether that’s making a statement or ensuring users feel at ease. This can be dictated by design, hue, detail and plank or tile size. Detailed geometric patterns can bring out different behaviours and emotions to clean, neutral tones. Likewise, laying patterns in flooring can also make an impact. First impressions do make a difference and as emotional behaviours continue to move up the design agenda, we expect to see the design community working closer with manufacturers to identify, early on, how positive emotional connections can be made between users and their products. Watch this space.w
Trends in emotional workspace design is a hot topic at the moment and it’s easy to see why. Emotions are, after all, a vital part of who we are and what we bring to the workplace. Creating environments, which nurture positive feelings is the perfect way to foster a workforce that is productive, collaborative and creative. From all of the viewpoints shared by the panel, it is clear that putting people first is a major driver for all companies – and that often starts with creating the right space for them to thrive. After all, the physical office environment impacts how an employee feels and, ultimately, performs at work. At Bruntwood Works, we pride ourselves on creating inspirational environments that make our customers feel happy and valued. From welcoming entrance areas, to open spaces, which engage positive interactions for people to relax and socialise, to cutting-edge technology to help people stay connected and informed. The panel also discussed what the single most important driving force was behind the trend in emotional design. We believe one of the key factors is to adapt to individual working styles and provide a variety of workspaces, giving people choices and empowering them to work alone or together – however and wherever they work best. So whether it’s a vibrant coworking area or a quieter space that people can connect with others without distractions, all of our buildings offer a wide range of inspiring spaces that cater for everyone’s emotional needs. For many companies, creating the right spaces, which encourage interaction, versatility and engagement, can be the key to unlocking a healthy, positive work environment, which not only affects employees’ happiness but ultimately the company’s success.w
Autex Acoustics was thrilled to be working alongside Mix Interiors for the event in July – MixInspired continuing to build on their relationship together. The expert panel and audience discussed the topic of ‘How design creates an Emotional Experience'. Design has evolved so dramatically in recent years, with many factors of the workplace environment influencing emotional experiences. One of the main contributing points in the evergrowing collaborative workplace design is the sound individuals experience within their everyday lives. Autex understands the importance of resolving the issues sound can cause within the workspace and is committed to help create a positive emotional experience through the design and innovation of new products; all products achieve BREEAM, LEED, WELL and Global Green Tag Platinum. This reinforces the belief that a positive experience must begin at the very beginning of the journey, within both the design and manufacture process.w
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Preview | London Design Festival
Festival Vibes London Design Festival returns with another packed week of events and installations across the capital, as well as a series of specially commissioned projects by internationally renowned designers. This year there are 10 design districts to explore across four major design routes, with the return of the Paddington Central route. The festival has a strong social purpose for 2019 and is putting special emphasis on sustainability, with many addressing innovative new ways of recycling and reusing. The Mix team will be flocking to the myriad of destinations and districts with a list of prospective highlights for 2019 longer than our arms.
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Preview | London Design Festival
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or starters, King’s Cross will become a Design District for the first time, welcoming (we’re
delighted to say) designjunction back to the neighbourhood. Already home to some incredible design brands, the district will see some of the biggest names in the area open their doors to the public, presenting exhibitions, installations, talks and much more – giving us lots of reasons to head up to the north of the capital. London’s newest creative quarter, Coal Drops Yard, will become home to a commission by Martino Gamper: a false disco façade with traditional cladding from the Italian Alps, excellently titled Disco Carbonara. The structure is inspired by the concept of a Potemkin village, the fake portable village built by Gregory Potemkin to impress Empress Catherine II during her journey to Crimea in 1787. Granby Workshop will showcase the world’s first ceramic tableware made from 100% waste at Kiosk N1C on Lower Stable Street, with the street also playing host to installations focusing on re-use and sustainability, in addition to launches and exhibitions with design-led residents House of Cans, COS, STORE Store and iyouall. For the first time, designjunction will launch a brand new talks programme at the Everyman Cinema. Curated by Grant Gibson, the two-day programme will feature a range of topics from dyslexia and design, queer culture, through to the future of British manufacturing.
British designer Steuart Padwick will be bringing two large-scale interactive sculptures to the district, supported by the mental health initiative, Time to Change. Following on from his 2018 installation – Head Above Water – on the South Bank, the sculptures aim to address the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing. Paul Cocksedge will be creating the most ambitious British Land commission to date, transforming Finsbury Avenue Square in Broadgate with his landmark project, Please Be Seated, created from scaffolding planks. The installation will fuse innovation and technology in a response to the changing rhythm of the community – featuring curves for the public to sit on and walk under, emphasising London’s largest pedestrianised neighbourhood. The British designer is collaborating with Essex-based flooring company, White&White, to re-imagine and re-use the building wood.
Opposite London Design Fair - High Society - Material Of The YearSecond Yield Above Paul Cocksedge's 'Please Be Seated' installation in Finsbury Avenue Square, Broadgate
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Preview | London Design Festival
Back in Clerkenwell, Cosentino’s Life on Mars exhibition will showcase five marble sculptures designed by leading architectural practices and carved in Spain by Cuellar Stone. Viaduct will be exhibiting pieces from companies with strong sustainable ideals, including Mattiazzi, Nikari and Zanat, with workshops and talks focusing on how materials can be used and the importance of community inclusivity. Attracting 29,000 visitors annually, London Design Fair will return to the Truman Brewery for it’s third year, bringing together 550 exhibitors from 40 countries. Biomaterials will play a key role at this year’s event, following on from last year’s theme of plastic as the theme of the Material of the Year show. Second Yield will showcase four innovative projects based on biomaterials, including Parblex Plastics from Chip[s] Board – materials created from potato waste and Totomoxtle by Fernando Laposse, a sustainable veneer material made from heirloom Mexican cornhusks. A new addition to the London Design Fair, The Bathroom Gallery, will be a bespoke exhibition for world-leading bathroom brands, in partnership with ELLE Decoration UK, and will be the first and only event dedicated to bathrooms during the London Design Festival. 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of 100% Design, presenting more than 400 exhibitors across furniture, lighting, surfaces and textiles. This year, the show will be part of the West Kensington Design District, and will introduce two new exhibitions; A Sense of Finland – a bespoke eco-log house showcasing Finnish furniture – and Detail London. Material Studio returns to showcase 22 innovative materials – many making their UK debut – focusing on key topics such as energy efficiency and wellbeing. Exhibitor highlights include British Manufacturers Liqui Contracts, who will be showcasing their creative products in a handmade wooden pavilion; Scottish leather specialists Muirhead, as well as the return of Arper Design Lounge. w
Top Coal Drops Yard Left London Design Fair - Kolho by Matthew Day Jackson for Made by Choice in collaboration with Formica
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MARC WOOD STUDIO
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O C TO B E R 6 - 9 | O LY M P I A LO N D O N | D E C O R E X . C O M
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SELECTIONS
Salone’s Top 15 trends INVISTA Antron carpet fibre has revealed the Top 15 trends and colours for 2019, inspired from Milan’s famed Salone del Mobile, Milano and Fuorisalone. In ‘Top15 Trends & Colors 2019’, now available for download from its website, Antron carpet fibre presents colour palettes inspired by the diverse range of exhibits and installations at the events. With themes such as light, nature and global craft heritage, the resource is a fascinating insight into the future direction of interiors. www.antron.eu
Faster, stronger, quieter, easier With a strong and rigid core and integrated sound-reducing underlay beneath a high-performance vinyl wear layer, IVC’s LayRed 55 is engineered to overcome your flooring challenges. The only plank to combine strength, comfort, acoustics and design, LayRed 55 is constructed from 12 layers. Made in Belgium using 30% recycled materials and available in 21 different looks, LayRed 55 is an engineered LVT that combines strength, comfort, acoustics and design for a floor that works for today’s demanding commercial interiors. www.ivc-commercial.com
Parkside launches Barneby Gates collection Parkside has collaborated with leading design duo, Barneby Gates, on a collection that brings the pair’s stunning wallpaper patterns to porcelain tiles. In the Barneby Gates collection, the trusted tile specification company has translated eight bold and courageous designs onto extra-large format porcelain tiles measuring 1000 x 500mm or 2500 x 1000mm, creating the effect of wallpaper on a high-performance, commercial-ready tile. Ideal for features in bar areas, spas, bathrooms and lobbies, the range faithfully recreates designs such as Watermelon, Pheasant and Bolt from Mars. www.parkside.co.uk
Style partitions help transform new London office Partitioning expert, Style, was contracted to deliver flexible space for the showcase meeting and training areas of Fidelity International's new London office, installing four fully automatic Skyfold moveable walls, finished in a stunning Kvadrat Floyd fabric. Housed discreetly in the ceiling cavity, the Skyfold units take up zero floor space when not required, descending gracefully at the touch of the button to quickly sub-divide an area. With impressive 59dB Rw acoustic integrity, meetings and events can run concurrently, entirely undisturbed on either side of the wall. www.style-partitions.co.uk
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Introducing Tarkett's new DESSO Orchard collection Tarkett’s new DESSO Orchard collection, with its understated, irregular dotted pattern, is reminiscent of the visual effect that’s created when viewing a cluster of planted trees from above. A subtle two-tone appearance inspired by organic, seasonal shades, gives the collection a simple yet sophisticated feel for contemporary workplace interiors. The collection has been developed specifically for seamless use on large scales, making it perfect for zoning. The product is Cradle to Cradle Silver-level certified and comes with a 100% recyclable EcoBase backing. www.tarkett.co.uk
See colour differently As part of an expansion of its Signature collection of Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), Amtico has created Colour Edit: four palettes of 25 coloured products that perform beautifully whether used as part of a pattern, flooded across a floor or used to provide subtle accents. The palettes have been designed to change the way architects, designers and specifiers experience and see colour, and can be mixed and matched with one of Amtico’s 23 pre-designed Signature laying patterns. www.amtico.com/commercial
Inleaf launches new artificial plants for storage units Inleaf has launched a new artificial plant display product, specifically designed to add greenery to the top of storage cabinets, tambour units and other office furniture. The artificial plant displays can be installed in planters provided by the original manufacturer (if present) or can be supplied with custom-made containers in dimensions and finishes to match existing furniture. www.inleaf.co.uk/artificial-for-storage-units
Clicwall gets high UNILIN, division panels, has released an extra-high panel in its Clicwall fast-toinstall decorative wall system. Producing seamless vertical runs on walls up to 3.5m in height, Clicwall high panels retain the ease and simplicity of the patented Uniclic click-joint and easy slide strip, delivering super-fast fitting in commercial interiors. Ideal for retail stores and hospitality interiors looking to deliver highimpact wall features, Clicwall is available in 137 different decors, as well as ClicwallPaint, ready for paint, fabric, wallpaper or a custom high-definition digital print. www.unilinpanels.com
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SELECTIONS
Sustainable Design Floors with Granorte Granorte's designTREND pairs natural cork with innovative manufacturing to produce a floor that delivers sustainability, durability, easy maintenance, style and comfort. Part of Granorte’s TRENDCollection, aimed at budget-aware consumers, DESIGNTrend uses direct digital print to reproduce wood-effects on a resilient high-density cork surface. The look is unique and ensures that designTREND sets itself apart from other wood-effect floors. Protected by an easy-to-maintain, scratch and stain-resistance WEARTOP coating, the surface is available in 16 designs. www.granorte.co.uk
Fibre Matters Defining wear-resistance, stain-resistance and appearance-retention, the choice of fibre is an important part of the selection process when choosing carpet. In the latest edition of ‘Fibre Matters’, INVISTA Antron carpet fibre reveals how its fibres help deliver commercial interiors with carpet that stays looking new for as long as possible. Made from polyamide 6.6, all Antron fibres have a tighter and stronger polymer structure than regular polyamide 6 fibres, making them very hardwearing and able to provide excellent appearance retention. The more ordered structure also makes it harder for dirt to stick and stains to permeate, as well as improving resistance to crushing and matting. www.antron.eu
Perfectly imperfect Fluid& from modulyss Fluid& is the newest carpet tile range in the &-collection by modulyss. Bringing a bold splash of colour to commercial spaces, the collection’s perfectly imperfect pattern possesses a wonderful sense of fluidity and movement, elevating the look of office and hospitality spaces. In a palette including luscious tones of ochre, green, blue, rust and grey, Fluid& harmonises beautifully with all products in the &-collection; the colour, texture and pattern of the carpet tile can be used alongside Fashion& and Velvet& for dynamic and unique layouts. www.modulyss.com
Bespoke vintage map wallpaper by Squark Interiors You can now create a fantastic and bespoke focal point for any room with Squark's beautiful vintage (pre-1965) street map wallpaper, centred on a postcode of your choice (England, Scotland and Wales). You can put your business at the centre of its community and create a vintage luxury feel that will create an instant talking point for your customers. Squark provides a selection of paper and vinyl wallpapers, with colour options including black and white, vintage or a match to your existing colour palette. www.squarkinteriors.co.uk
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IVC design double at Saongroup Carpet tiles and LVT from IVC have been used in a colourful, graphic scheme at the Dublin offices of Saongroup, a world-leading online recruitment company. The installation saw over 1,000 sq m of IVC floors used throughout office and common areas, using bold pattern and texture to separate areas. A tonal, textured pattern in grey high-performance nylon carpet tile is predominantly used for working areas, interspersed with the bold graphic stripe of Taped Off and graduated linear design of Pop Icon from the Street Thread collection. www.ivc-commercial.com
Bring on the brick Parkside has launched Tyne, a highly-versatile brick-effect wall and floor porcelain tile, which creates a stunning brick and mortar aesthetic in the most demanding commercial environments. Waterproof, frost-proof and resistant to mould and stains, Tyne delivers impressive authenticity in 13 colourways, each capturing the character and variation found in handmade bricks. Ranging from classic colours of red and multi, through earthy tones in mud and sand, to a palette of bolder blue and grey hues, the 250 x 60mm tiles brings a new depth to brick-effect finishes. www.parkside.co.uk
Biophilic carpet made using Econyl regenerated yarn Rockscape is a dramatic rock form translated into a carpet that honours the natural world. It’s made using Econyl yarn, which is obtained from the regeneration of preand post-consumer waste – stuff that’s usually destined for landfill. Not only does this get rid of waste that would otherwise remain in the ecosystem for decades, it saves precious raw materials too. www.quadmod.com
A captivating classic from Wilton Carpets The rugged crags and high moorlands of the Northumbrian countryside inspire Lindisfarne by Wilton Carpets, the latest introduction to the Ready to Go collection of tufted carpets, created to instantly transform boutique B&Bs, hospitality and leisure locations. A captivating three-colour herringbone carpet that’s ideal for a classic feel in guest rooms, corridors and meeting rooms, Lindisfarne comes in six versatile colourways to complement modern and traditional settings. www.wiltoncarpets.com
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The Last Word | Opinion
BEAN BAG NATION Criteo’s Mike Walley is most definitely young at heart - but that doesn't mean that he wants to conduct his business from the 'comfort' of a bean bag!
Good design is good design and it is appreciated by all generations
Mike Walley is Criteo’s Head of Workplace Experience EMEA
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ouglas Adams, he of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, once wrote a story about an Electric Monk. You could pay this monk to
worker? Let’s face it, after the age of around 25 there is simply no elegant way of getting out of a bean bag – so if your space is a little too dynamic, it may well do so.
believe things for you, just in case you were too busy. The Monk had the very useful ability of being able to believe two contradictory arguments at exactly the same time. I only mention this as, after reading a series of opinion pieces recently, I may be in need of his services. The first piece was a predictable re-hash of the 'everyone is getting younger' theme. The slight difference was the point that Gen Z is the first group entering the workforce who are 'internet native.' I took that to mean that they were fluent with apps, social media and the like. Although, to my crusty old head, that simply means they can waste hours playing Candy Crush and taking hundreds of pouting selfies to post on FaceHub or InstaBook or something. My cynical sarcasm aside, it is interesting to consider that the new generation also have very different expectations of any company they work for. They expect
But does that mean that, if we build simple, comfortable and functional offices, we'll scare off the younger generation? The truth, I think, is that we have always had a mix of ages in business, even in the world of tech. Businesses grow and evolve, young, tech savvy youths will start businesses and they will grow and be full of young dynamic people. They will work all hours, drink beer together, revel in edgy office space and enjoy the slight discomfort of their clients as they sit on old fruit boxes around an upturned cable drum in a meeting pod. One day, they may even be so successful they IPO – and then things get complicated. Experienced managers are brought in who are older than the average, then the original team starts to get older and, before you know it, the founders look (gasp!) old. The reverse also happens in established businesses. Imagine the banks with hundreds of years of tradition behind them suddenly realising that they need to hire
companies to be much more socially responsible and engaged with local communities, and they are having a say in how their work product is used. I note growing disquiet within the staff at the large tech companies over whether or not they should be using their tech in surveillance programmes or weapon systems. The second piece took exactly the opposite view. It was looking at how recent changes in the pension ages across the world results in people working longer and how this will push the average age of companies higher and higher. It also explored how the perspective of the older worker is very different from their younger counterpart. It appears the older generation is more concerned with job security, benefit packages, privacy in the office and the like. Apparently, they don’t care if there are slides. Regular social events feel like overtime and they prefer meeting rooms to have proper chairs. So, how are we meant to be creating workplaces now? If we build dynamic, flexible and inspiring offices with a matching culture, do we alienate the older
lots of young computer scientists to ensure they can offer the kind of online banking we all expect. Those guys don’t wear a suit and tie, nor do they like to work in a stuffy, old school hierarchical environment. I have a delightful mental image of an old school facility manager in discussion with one of the new computer guys. He looks puzzled, as if someone just tried to explain String Theory to him, and he says, 'Let me just be certain I understand you'. He takes a deep breath and continues in an incredulous tone, 'You want a bean bag in the conference room?' So it's time we stopped assuming that age is an issue in workplace. Good design is good design and it is appreciated by all generations. So let's not worry if our populations are ageing or getting younger. Let's build spaces that meet all the needs and don’t force anyone into sitting on a bean bag if they don’t want to. The younger set have their view, the older worker has theirs… Personally, I think it’s the middle agers we need to be listening to.w
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