Barlett Group, Leeds
Inspiring office design to create a workspace of the future
Client: Brown & Bancroft Interiors
End user: Bartlett Group
Project value: £2million
Architect: /aytch/.
Time on site: 10 weeks
Location: Leeds
As the way we work continues to evolve, Bartlett Group set out to create a workspace with the wow factor that would stir the senses and provide a modern HQ in Horsforth, Leeds for its employees, clients and other visitors to connect and collaborate.
To drive productivity, we set out replacing a traditional desk layout and fragmented office format in favour of telephone booths, pods, a library and a multitude of creative and co-working stations that would maximise and transform the 20,000 sq. ft of available office space across three floors for the independent insurance and financial solutions specialist.
Once on site, our remit continued to evolve which saw our contract almost double in value throughout the scheme’s delivery, as we set out bringing the architect’s designs & drawings to life.
With bespoke, made to measure joinery delivered throughout the space to transform the 1960s building, which mirrors the end users’ corporate colours, our associated works included: toilet cubicles, IPS Systems and vanity units, specialist mirrors, tea point areas, seating booths, banquette seating, meeting room feature walls that incorporated a media wall and storage, lockers, formation of TC Rooms and kitchen break out areas.
A new front of house area which comprises a reception and business lounge now provides a striking entrance to the building complete with feature wall panelling and bespoke ceiling panelling. This is nestled alongside small meeting rooms and formal boardrooms to cater to personal meetings in a far more relaxed setting.
To combat the issue of increased office noise – a key barrier to productivity in co-working spaces – we were instructed to address the acoustics. To ensure speech privacy could be maintained throughout the building, we supplied and installed an innovative sound barrier that we had imported in from the US to provide an effective solution to absorb excess noise.
“We have owned our Horsforth site since the 1960s and while it has served us well, we realised that to continue attracting and retaining the best staff, as well as top level clients, we would need to update our facilities.
We have been on a fantastic journey to update the overall design of our offices, improve employee productivity through the introduction of agile working, and better support for employee wellbeing through the addition of an on-site gym and a canteen at the heart of the office featuring pop-up restaurants etc. The transformation has been truly phenomenal, and we look set to surpass all the goals we set out at the beginning of the project.”