Office refurbishment for Cullen Property
The client first approached Amos Beech in Summer 2024 when a feasibility study was completed for a potential new office for the team in Edinburgh. After which the decision was made to extend their lease on their current basement and ground floor premises and refurbish this space to create an improved workplace environment for the staff.
The ground floor was improved to comprise two working office spaces along with a new quiet room/office and welcome area. Previously as there was no reception, visitors often wandered into the main office unsure where to wait. We created a small sofa/coffee table zone as a waiting area and enhanced this small but high space by painting the ceiling and upper walls out a soft, dark blue. This had the effect of creating a more comfortable calm space which was furnished with halo feature lighting.
The importance of the Cullen Property brand was highlighted with a new back lit logo and the colours used throughout the space, a mix of warm, muted versions of blues, reds and golds.
The quiet room/office was previously a meeting space but with limited natural light and it being another small but high-ceilinged space it wasn’t a comfortable place to be. We again played on this and painted the ceiling and upper walls and lowered the lighting creating a more intimate atmosphere with floor lamps to soften the focus. This room can be used as an office, quiet room or for small meetings and 1-2-1s.
Painted ceilings and linear LED lights
In the office spaces we continued the theme and painted out ceilings and upper walls but in a warm grey tone. This adds the comfort of a lowered ceiling without being too dark and linear LED lights replaced old reflector light panels to make these spaces more suitable for concentrated work. The lights were placed at angles to mimic the organic shapes of the desks and add interest to these spaces.
The teams come together in ‘Trios’ to look after various property portfolios across the City of Edinburgh. This way of working became a focus when selecting the new furniture and organic shaped 120-degree workstations were proposed. This meant Trios sit together as a group, facing each other which works as a practical solution to how the teams operate and allows for better social communication.
Under desk pedestals were replaced with lockers to allow flexible desk positioning which suits the team’s hybrid working model. The lockers have integrated planters to introduce biophilia to the space. Quality replica plants allow the motivational and productivity benefits from greenery without the difficulty of care and allergens.
The basement level was reconfigured to create a new open plan galley kitchen, one working office space and one multi-use collaboration space. The new kitchen allows more space for food/drinks preparation and makes this area feel much larger than before.
The multi-use space is separated into zones with clever use of furniture. One large meeting table sits at the back of the room almost hidden from view by high back sofas which create another breakout/meeting area. Another round table doubles up for meetings or lunchtime dining. The aim was to give the team a space away from their desk that can be utilised in a variety of ways. The colours in this space reflect the reception and quiet room above which defines them as different from the main workspaces.
Overall, with intelligent furniture and colour choices the Cullen Property office has been transformed and feels like a different space. The way a space feels is about more than aesthetics; it’s also about atmosphere. Changing the lighting can boost mood and productivity in one area and soften other areas, while carefully chosen colour palettes can enhance brand whilst energising or calming depending on the task at hand. Strike the balance right and you have a workplace that staff are happy to be a part of and the company can be proud of.
Published: 15 April 2025
Text: Deborah McAulay
Transforming an empty office space into a new home for Recast
Recast approached Amos Beech to assist them with their move from serviced offices in Edinburgh’s New Town to their own offices as their growth trajectory continued.
Recast enables sports fans to access the content they want, subscription-free. The unique offering is monetising modern day viewership and creating more funds to be invested back into the grassroots of sport.
As a rapidly growing tech company, bricks and mortar was a new discipline for the team and they needed a company that could deal with all aspects of their requirements including design, construction/fit-out and furniture.
A new office for Recast in Edinburgh’s New Town
The Amos Beech design team were delighted to apply their skills to transforming an empty office space into a new home for Recast. Using the core brand colours of yellow and grey, you can feel the energy and commitment to excellence that is also seen in the images that have been selected.
Multiple meeting spaces, both inside and out, using a wonderful rooftop terrace with views across to Edinburgh’s Old Town and its 1,000 year old Castle provide plenty of additional inspiration.
Double glazed partitioning was specified to help with sound attenuation along with aluminium framed solid timber doors for an enduring and quality finish to the space.
For those moments when you need peace and quiet or simply the ability to take or make phone calls in private, single person booths were installed to ensure that the rights spaces were available for the team without making inefficient use of meeting rooms.
Quality UK and European furniture was supplied and installed by the Amos Beech Furniture Consultants – all expertly specified and manufactured to compliment the stunning space that we created.
A carefully managed construction phase was duly completed and despite the many supply chain challenges that came with 2021, all of the furniture was delivered and Recast were able to officially open their offices on time and in budget.
The finished result is a wonderful fusion of different types of workspace and meeting/breakout areas that reflects the brand and the work that Recast do.
Location: Princes Street, Edinburgh
Project size: 4200 sq ft
Duration:– 5 weeks
Value: £120K
Published: 21 March 2022
Text & Photography: The Amos Beech Team
Showroom office space for Envipco in Newbridge
Ahead of the launch of the Scottish Government’s new deposit return scheme, Envipco needed an office from which they could showcase their products to retailers in Scotland. Conveniently located close to Edinburgh airport and Scotland Food & Drink offices in Newbridge, they secured a bright and airy space that required a complete office refurbishment with an Interior Design scheme that reflected their environmentally friendly business model.
Showroom office space for Envipco in Newbridge
Working with the Amos Beech Interior Designers over video calls (the Envipco head office is in America) they were able to share their vision for the space and we were able to interpret it in the built environment.
Flexibility was key in getting the design right given that this is their first UK office and they were keen to ensure that all of the potential use case scenarios could be accommodated.
Using finishes and surface textures along with graphics to tell the Envipco story the finished interior is an inspirational space for colleagues and customers alike. Careful selection of furniture items that are either 100% recyclable or already made from recycled plastic materials adds to the design ethos for a sustainable and futureproof space.
As is usually the case, deadlines were tight and a co-ordinated effort was required to ensure the opening date was met. This only highlights the benefits of the Amos Beech approach to office design & build. By bringing the full service under one roof and having all trades co-ordinated and answerable to our Project Manager, we are able to deliver on-time, on-budget projects. Our clients have the peace of mind that their work is being completed to the correct standards and they are able to continue their day-to-day business without having to spend time chasing trades and worrying that deadlines will be missed.
