New interiors for Ogilvy 4D

We have just finished a Design & Build refurbishment project for Ogilvy 4D in Oxford.

Part of Ogilvy CommonHealth Worlwide, Ogilvy 4D is a modern, healthcare communications specialist and our brief was to deliver a stylish office interior to help them to deliver new ways of working (first come - first served for desk positions – no territory) with a distinctive colour scheme and graphics.

Each member of staff also has a locker in the new StorageWall area and then works where required on team benches.

Here are a few pictures from the scheme. We'll publish a case study soon.

More PUBLIC SECTOR cuts to come - but we can help

It is reported that the Chancellor George Osborne is preparing to announce a fresh PUBLIC SECTOR spending squeeze in Wednesday's Autumn Statement, to fund new schools, science and transport schemes - space-pod

Most government departments will be asked to save an extra 1% next year and a further 2% the following year.

Sources say this will release £5bn to be spent on capital projects in an effort to kick start economic growth.

Source: BBC NEWS >

Pre-2008, when things looked rosy, public sector growth led to many public bodies expanding rather than shrinking. As a result, over the last decade, there has been significant investment in new technology, infrastructure and workplaces. Unfortunately the benefits of this investment have not been taken advantage of, mainly due to political inertia, poor management and a lack of business motivation in a wasteful booming economy. Now, with very few exceptions, property markets and values have fallen through the floor. As a result, many previously reluctant public organisations are now being forced to seek significant property and related savings as well as service improvements.

Many Councils are considering co-locating with other public bodies as a way of saving public property costs. Countless organisations are decreasing staff numbers and are looking to make use of their existing property portfolios to support distributed and remote working – using neighbourhood offices, libraries, housing centres and depots as touchdown offices - all of which will reduce and change the overall central office requirement.

Due, in most part, to culture and management apathy, remote and home working has, to date, had limited success in the public sector, but the ability to use home as a workplace regularly or occasionally for a large element of the workforce is one of the key aspects cost saving initiatives.

The office is certainly not dead, but its function is changing as technology enables re-definition of work and the workplace. The overall result of cost cutting, sharing, outsourcing and new ways of working is that many organisations will be, and are, implementing plans to reduce their office requirements by up to 40%.

This is at the core of what space-pod does and we have already helped Local Authorities, Councils and other Public Sector bodies to maximise reduced working spaces and achieve some notable productivity and working environment improvements.

To find out how, just visit our website and fill-in a few details in the panel on the left of the screen and let's talk!

Find out more here: new social ways of working mobile working & home working

FX Awards - a great night

We were thrilled to attend the FX International Interior Design Awards last night at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, Mayfair, London AND even more thrilled that the Orangebox 'Do' chair that we love so much received a product award.

Well deserved, in our opinion. 

If you haven't seen this impressive new chair yet, take a look at the ebrochure below:

Open publication

Then give space-pod a call and we'll get you some.

Coffee break for space-pod

We are thrilled to report that we have been selected to refurbish Autobar's signature building 14th floor, Chiswick Towers on West London approaches – better known as BSI tower block.

space-pod was selected to provide a creative interior reflecting corporate values, maximizing the space and integrating Autobar brand into the scheme.

Our successful scheme will use contemporary products from the Steelcase and Orangebox portfolios, including their FX Design Award winning DO chair and Airea pods.

space-pod MD, Kevin Parker commented "We are absolutely delighted to be chosen by Autobar. We were in competition with 3 other bidders and it's great that our proposal and ideas have been the preferred choice. We are looking forward to delivering a contemporary, leading edge scheme that underpins the Autobar brand strategy and that provides them with an exciting space to work in".

We will keep you updated with progress on the scheme as it develops.

A MUST READ for Business Owners, Financial Directors & Facility Professionals

Read the latest news and 'space' utilization articles from space-pod in issue nine of our 'space' newsletter:

In this edition we take a look at:

Laine Theatre Arts
How space-pod helped create acoustic studio theatre and workshop performance spaces at the renowned performing arts college.

pod life
We take a closer look at some of the brilliant ways that we can quickly extend and divide open office and public meeting spaces to create closed or partially closed rooms, using our versatile pod systems.

Down-sizing
In this increasingly challenging economy, we explore what to do when you are losing people or need to reduce space.

Euro2012 win in Poland
As the England football team crashed out of the Euro2012 quarter final, Space-pod was putting the finishing touches to a complete redesign and build of a call-centre facility in Poland for Premier Farnell plc.

Open publication 

FREE ebook: The 7 Rules of Creating Special Commercial Space for your Head Office

We've produced a new ebook titled: The 7 Rules of Creating Special Commercial Space for your Head Office ... or how to put ‘roundy’ humans into ‘squarey’ boxes.

The ebook has been written to help those thinking about relocation or refurbishment of a Head Office, or where an injection of flair and style is required.

Every project is ultimately judged on whether it stands out and delivers on every level.

This FREE, 12-page ebook is a simple to understand guide, which highlights the 7 Rules to follow to ensure that all salient issues are considered and that you don’t end up with an expensive square box full of desks!

Take a look for yourself! CLICK HERE >

Flash Dance

Well, when we finish a job we like to test everything!

As you can see, we are enjoying putting the finishing touches to the new dance studios at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey. 

Laine Theatre Arts provides exceptional training for anyone who wants a long career in professional musical theatre. Founded in 1974 in Epsom, Laine is renowned as one of the best international training colleges for performing arts.

Laine combines its considerable theatre heritage with up-to-the-minute performance techniques and training. Students learn their skills through both practice and performance, with a strong emphasis on discipline and learning how to meet with confidence any occasion encountered.

The new modern studio theatre and workshop performance spaces that space-pod has created within the College complex allows for in-house productions in a wide range of styles - musical theatre, opera, plays, classical ballet and contemporary dance - throughout the college year.

A full case study will be on our website soon, but for now here are a few more photographs of the new dance studios.

Mouth-watering performance finale:

Round of applause - the crowd goes mad!! 

Well done chaps.

ground breaking news for space-pod

Today was a momentous day for space-pod as we finally broke ground on the site of our new purpose-built head office and showroom in Bourne End.

With plans signed-off and everyone excited about getting moved-in to our new office, the next few months will no doubt feel very long and drawn-out as we progress the build in-between a busy schedule of Customer projects, which rightly always come first. 

BiFM Rising FM's Pub Crawl and Quiz - Smithfield Market

Space-pod was once again pleased to sponsor the annual BiFM pub crawl and quiz evening; an annual event to network with other BiFM members and test your knowledge.

This took place in the design centre of London in Clerkenwell with the contestants treated to an evening around some of the most historic pubs around the Smithfield market.

Around 50 people attended in total from a complete range of companies.

The three BiFM groups involved were,
> BIFM London Region
> BIFM International SIG
> BIFM Risings

Questions were set from both the FM arena and to uncover some of the history of the pubs visited. FM questions ranged from "how long is an EPC valid for" to "which is the tallest occupied building in Europe" … and if you knew what an EPC was there was no bonus point!

The teams were sent out in groups of 4 or 5 and the winning team was 'The BGM Group', with 'GVA Acuity' coming second.

Well done and thank you to everyone who attended.

In the footsteps of HRH The Queen

Just 5 days after the Queen and Prince Philip were on-board the beautiful 'Alaska' 1883 Thames Steamer, space-pod chartered this beautiful vessel and asked customers and staff to join us for the best seat on the Thames to view the world famous Henley Regatta.

Thanks to all who came and made the day so enjoyable and special thanks to the crew of the Alaska Thames Steamer for all their hard work.

About Henley Regatta

Henley Regatta was first held in 1839 and has been held annually ever since, except during the two World Wars. Originally staged by the Mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose.

The 1839 Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. In 1886 the Regatta was extended to three days and to four in 1906. Since 1928 its increased popularity meant entries exceeded the permitted numbers in several events, and so Qualifying Races are now held in the week before the Regatta to reduce the number of entries to the permitted maximum.

In 1986 the Regatta was extended to five days, with an increase in the maximum entry for certain events.

Here are a few pictures from our day:

Photography from the day courtesy & copyright of Agile Marketing 2012

Big English win in Poland

At the very moment that the England football team was crashing out of the Euro 2012 quarter final, Space-pod was putting the finishing touches to a complete redesign and build of a call-centre facility in Poland for Premier Farnell plc. - a leading multi-channel, high service distributor supporting millions of engineers and purchasing professionals globally.

Having worked previously for Premier Farnell refurbishing their London office, space-pod were asked to design a scheme for Premier Farnell's new call centre in Poland. This call centre will become the primary outbound contact centre for Europe, consolidating into one new larger central facility, largely employing new multi-lingual staff recruited locally.

The brief to space-pod centred on a basic requirement to house a fixed structure, i.e. head count, training, meeting rooms, breakout spaces, etc. The USP’s for the scheme were all about fun, a great place to work, attracting and retaining good staff, energy and performance via motivation and well being.

This great brief led us to develop this scheme, which utilises free-flowing curves, pods for meetings and full wall graphics to brand the environment. The scheme has been well received and it seems to be achieving its objectives.

Here's a few pictures of the scheme of works that we completed:

 That's how to get an English win in Poland!

If you would like to discuss how space-pod can help you to transform your workspace

click here > or call 08704 321 515