Following relocation to the Braintree office in 2016 the continued expansion of Barker meant that additional office area was required to accommodate the staff.
The brief was to provide additional desk capacity up to approximately 100 seats, with additional meeting areas to cater for the demands of a changing working pattern and increased use of virtual meetings across the business. The project identified key areas where improvement was needed to create a modern and collaborative office space. The following issues were addressed;
• Rapid growth of the business, through the development of a scalable design that can accommodate the company’s expanding workforce while optimising space utilisation
• Revitalise Design: Transform the outdated office into a vibrant and inspiring environment that fosters creativity, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Promote Collaboration: Create open and flexible workspaces that break down barriers between departments and encourage cross-functional collaboration.
• Enhance Social Areas: Expand and redesign social spaces to provide inviting environments for relaxation, informal meetings, and socialisation.
• Increase Meeting Room Availability: Introduce additional meeting rooms of various sizes equipped
The primary challenge lay in accommodating the practice’s continued growth within the existing office footprint and it was clear that additional floor space would be fundamental to this. The opportunity to take occupation of the adjoining office allowed the team to plan the office areas around the perimeter of the building. Furthermore, the existing infrastructure presented some limitations in terms of layout, structural elements, and utility. Employee engagement throughout the refurbishment process was important, soliciting feedback to address their needs and preferences effectively was vital for project success.
The office underwent a significant transformation with the removal of partitions, creating a spacious and interconnected environment conducive to collaboration and productivity. Previously redundant spaces were repurposed, creating strategically located meeting rooms that cater to various team sizes and functions, and enhancing collaboration and workflow efficiency. Living green walls infused the workspace with vibrant greenery, purifying the air, fostering a sense of tranquillity, and promoting employee well-being. Overall, the project reflects the company’s vision, values and culture. These principles have now been extended across the regional offices to allow a unified Barker aesthetic.
