From the outset we conduct a thorough consultation process and get to know your business – how it operates now and in the future and any ideas you wish to include. This enables us to make the most of your office space. Planning is vital to create the best possible layout. Combining all the information taken from the building survey together with discussions with the users, we are able to produce a first draft 2D layout of your office space. This allows you to visualize the finished project and make any adjustments at this stage rather than later during the office fitout stage.

In many cases the part of the office refurbishment process most people are apprehensive about is the office fitout procedure. Time is money, and we appreciate you will want as little disruption as possible.

We offer a full office fit out service enabling you to have all partitions, ceilings, electrical, heating and data cabling completed from a single source. Before any works are started we will produce, with you, a detailed programme of works. This will detail all activities to be carried out along with the dates they will happen ensuring contractor and client have clear visibility of how the project should progress. We co-ordinate all required office fit out building work, right through to hanging artwork on the walls.

Weekly project meetings with an agreed point of contact from your organisation will keep communication up to date and make sure we are on track to deal with any concerns should they arise.

Where the business needs to stay operational we will agree a phased approach and any necessary weekend works. As a result you have one point of contact and detailed project management to ensure a seamless transformation.

Office relocation or refurbishment can be stressful and time consuming; we can remove the added burden of making sure the building work goes according to plan.

Take a look at some of our projects, our case studies or contact us for details of our latest office fit out work.

Due to recent developments in technology our requirements for an efficient office furniture has increased dramatically. Office desks come in many shapes and sizes, when choosing the right desk for your office, there are a number of things you should consider. Choosing the right one will depend on certain factors and can have a massive impact on your business efficiency and well being.

Space limitations

Before you make any decision about the type of desk you want, establish what size of desk will be most appropriate. It’s important to match the desk to the available space. Do you need a certain amount of employees with their own desks to fit into the available space? How much floor space do you have around the desk? You will need to move around freely without the risk of tripping or knocking into furniture.

Comfort

Once the desk size has been determined, it’s time to think about the style of desk you require. Office desks are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and can also be custom made to suit your specific needs. It is important for your desk to be set at the correct height. You will spend many hours sitting at your desk; it is advisable to consider the ergonomics of your positioning for your comfort, efficiency and safety.

Storage

Do you require individual storage attached to the desk or do you operate from a main storage centre? Space may be limited if you are working mainly on a pc, additional office storage solutions, will help to keep your desk top free of clutter. Under desk storage is an option which will enable you to keep your desktop neat and tidy. We can even arrange for your monitor to discreetly disappear when not in use!

Work load

What type of work will be done at the desk? Will the desk be used for mainly computer work, or used as a work area for paperwork? Do you work with a desktop computer or prefer a lap top? Are you sharing your desk with a colleague? Do you require office desk dividers? Do you need a keyboard platform?

Cable management

If you plan to use your desk for computer based work alone, it would be advisable to opt for a desk specifically for this purpose. Today’s workstations come complete with cable management systems so that cabling can be managed, providing a great way to hide unsightly cables.

During our assessment process prior to each project we can share with you our experience in this field ensuring you end up with a bespoke office desk most appropriate for your needs. Remember that buying a desk should be considered as an investment for the future. It can be expensive, try to buy the best you can afford sitting at the right desk can be reflected in the quality of your work. It is far more likely you are productive while sitting at a comfortable, ergonomic workstation.

• They can regulate the amount of light in a room
• Reduce glare on computer screens
• Offer privacy when closed
• Improve site security
• Depending on the material used they can also provide insulation

With a wide variety of styles, material and colours available, we are certain that we can offer you the perfect solution that will enhance your office space.

If you want to improve the look of your office space, don’t delay contact us now.

Information & communications technology (ICT) is an important part of our daily life, from computers in the workplace to mobile phones. I feel that it is essential to invest in the very best facilities and equipment for the education of our children, giving them the knowledge and skills they need to survive the 21st century.

I hate to admit it, but when I went to primary school we didn’t even have a computer in the school office let alone one in a classroom! These days’ children have access to computers at home and school from a very early age, so having the right environment in which to study this subject is vital. What better way to do this than by creating dedicated IT suites in our schools and colleges.

I understand that a new ICT suite, whether it is a new build or a case of refurbishing an existing classroom, can be a substantial investment for any school or college, so the least it should provide is value for money. But what makes a ‘value for money’ ICT suite?

Well, for starters good design is very important; research suggests that if students actually like the learning environment, then they are more likely to want to learn. I feel a ‘good’ environment should be; comfortable, secure, well equipped and spacious. Therefore, consideration should be given to the furniture, equipment, layout, lighting, flooring, ventilation, noise levels and security.

With regards to the layout; students and staff should be able to move around the room freely. There should be sufficient space for each student to work comfortably. You should bear in mind that the student will need room for text books and to be able to write. It goes without saying that the work surface should also allow adequate space for the monitor, keyboard and mouse. The teacher’s workstation should be positioned so that they have clear visibility of the entire room.

Moving onto the furniture; desks/workstations must be the appropriate height for the user, as should the seating. Height adjustable chairs are a cost effective solution. Storage should be taken into consideration, not just for books and stationary but also for student’s coats and bags.

Other important factors to take into consideration are:

• Lighting; where possible natural light should be maximised, although it may be necessary to install window blinds to control glare and reflections on the monitors.
• Electrics; most computer workstations will require a minimum of two sockets, others may require more depending on if you are considering connecting other equipment such as a printer.
• Temperature; good ventilation is required as all IT equipment will generate heat.

I’m sure you’ll agree, investing in an ICT suite can benefit today’s young generation, preparing them for entering the work environment whatever their chosen career.

Workplace Health & Safety regulations state that every office should have suitable and sufficient lighting and that it should as far as possible be provided by natural light.

At Whitespace, we can advise, design and install all your office lighting needs, ensuring it meets recommended lux levels and complies fully with current Health & Safety regulations.  Take a look at our case studies and see for yourself the difference we have made to client’s workplaces.

We have recently helped to create a flexible learning space that accommodates a number of different features in addition to  storage solutions for thousands of books – IT facilities; comfortable zones as well as individual study areas.

Working in conjunction with the architect and client, we were appointed to space plan, design and furnish the library at Lancaster Girls Grammar School in Lancaster. Our brief was to create a stimulating, contemporary learning environment, whilst maintaining a feeling of quiet study.

To enable us to achieve our objective of housing the vast amount of books and to maximise the space, we designed and installed custom-made bookcases and display cabinets around the perimeter of the room. These were then complimented by freestanding, moveable units for added flexibility.

A bespoke reception desk was introduced, which was centrally located not only allowing staff to have full view of the library and study areas but also complying fully with DDA requirements.
A formal study area was introduced which included new seating and work areas. This provides comfortable surroundings for pupils to research subjects, choose books or simply sit quietly and read.

The library now offers so much more to the school and pupils alike please see the case study in full here and view the gallery of some images of the finished project.

It is easy to see how this relates to our businesses and how the reception area and the office reception furniture they contain contribute to the 93%. This area is usually the first port of call for colleagues and clients alike and can make or break a business relationship. Your office represents you and your business.

Whitespace can advise you on the best use of the space and office reception furniture to create the right impact. Our team of highly experienced office interior designers can create a space that will have that certainly have the “Wow Factor”.

The space not only needs to be reflective of your business whether that is contemporary and dynamic or traditional and homely but it needs to be functional suiting the requirements of your staff.

As part of the consultation process we will understand how the reception area works, what IT requirements the reception desk needs for example, how many staff need to be accommodated at any one time. We pride ourselves on delivering an efficient and productive solution bespoke to your business designed with the user and the visitors comfort and needs in mind.

Are you making the right impression? Contact us today

The Workplace Regulations 1992 (Health, Safety and Welfare) lay down particular requirements for most aspects of the working environment including those related to the optimum working temperature in the workplace.

The law which was reviewed in 2010 at present does not state a minimum temperature, but as a guide the temperature in the office should normally be at least 16°C for sedentary workers reducing to 13°C if much of the work is physical.

The aim obviously is to create the optimum working environment for staff to operate. When planning a new office refurbishment we aim to strike the balance between cost, staff comfort and the legislative requirements.

Whitespace have many years experience with this highly skilled task which we have accrued from successfully completing many office fit out projects. It is a building control requirement to ensure that there is enough “fresh” outdoor air supplied for every individual occupant in a new office environment. This requirement is covered by Part F-Ventilation (approved document F) of schedule 1 of the building regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that the air needs of all people, including those with disabilities, are met to a measurable standard.

A modern heating system will take advantage of modern inverter and refrigerant technology which provides the client with greater control over the temperature and humidity of the office without costing the earth (or damaging the environment).

So whether you are sitting in Manchester, Lancashire, Bolton, Cheshire, Liverpool, Merseyside, Birmingham or Leeds, here at Whitespace we can ensure you have every chance of working productively despite what the weather is up to outside!

Inappropriate seating can lead to the users adapting awkward postures which can result in  discomfort and back pain.  Investing in ergonomic office chairs can make all the difference!  Ergonomic seating, adjusted and used correctly can maximise the benefits in the health and well-being of you and your staff and reduce those absenteeism statistics.

It is not a good idea to drop everything and rush out and buy the first ergonomic chair you see.  When choosing ergonomic seating you should firstly consider the needs of the individual and the type of work being carried out.  What is good for one member of staff may not be the best choice for another.

We believe that a good ergonomic chair should offer the following benefits:

• Seat height adjustment – The chair should be able to be adjusted so that your feet are comfortably flat on the floor while sitting.  If once you have adjusted the seat you find that it is too low in relation to your workstation, use a footrest to provide support for your feet and raise the chair to the desired height.
• Seat depth adjustment – The chair should be able to be adjusted so that when seated you are fully supported by the backrest and the seat of your chair does not put pressure on the back of the knees.
• Height adjustable armrests – The armrests on the chairs should be able to be adjusted so they support the arms but do not obstruct desk access, allowing you to get as close to the desk as possible, whilst still maintaining contact between the seat back and your back.
• Seat tilt forward – This rotates forward which puts the lumbar spine into its natural curve, thus reducing stress on muscles and the rest of the spine.

Ergonomic chairs provide support exactly where it is needed, improving employee’s health and wellbeing and also offering benefits for employers in helping to reduce absenteeism and improving productivity.

Contact us today for more information regarding business office furniture.

Does the layout reflect your organisational structure?

The directional flow needs to be considered when designing the office. Is there a hierarchy or is it a collaborative environment where people work together? Does the space incorporate everyone so each employee feels as if they are part of the company?

What is the interaction of the business leader with the workforce?

Do they need to be situated in the corner behind partitioning for privacy for instance or stationed at a desk amongst the other employees where they can be involved with projects as a whole and to enable employees to approach them readily?

Open environment v separate individual offices

This depends on the nature of the business and the space allowed. Research has found however that an open environment, certainly in smaller offices, increases communication, provides greater flexibility supporting learning and job satisfaction while creating a positive social environment. The fact that employers were not separated by office partitioning did not affect their ability to work productively.

Separate individual cubicles are an option for some businesses; working in this environment can sometimes make employees less productive however. If privacy is essential, or acoustic properties are required, it can be invaluable to sub divide the office space with office partitioning.

Does your space create the right impression?

When clients or business partners are visiting your office they will create an overall impression of your business within the first few seconds of arrival. These first impressions are based their interpretation of the environment. It’s human nature. It is imperative therefore these first impressions are an accurate reflection of your business. Dated, tired, and a badly thought out design will not do you any favours. Even if your office is not visited by others it is essential to create the right environment for staff to work effectively and productively.

Office furniture – getting it right

Using the most appropriate office furniture can immediately create a massiv3ely positive affect on your business. Offices have changed dramatically in recent years, due primarily to the developments in technology; therefore the demands made on an office furniture supplier have increased. We need to constantly evaluate our practices; chairs and desks are becoming increasingly ergonomic and the need for large office storage solutions are diminishing.

Finishing touches

Often overlooked are the finishing touches which can provide an effect disproportionate to their size. It is amazing what an effect a decent espresso machine can have on staff morale. Water coolers and a separate area for staff to take their breaks can go a long way too. Artificial or live office plants complement your workspace, as well as well chosen Artwork. Signage promoting a corporate logo can also add to the ambience of the environment.

If you don’t like what you see contact us today and lets talk!