A more collaborative office space for Firefish Glasgow
Firefish Software is a ‘Work from Anywhere’ employer with their shiny new collaboration space!
Firefish Software took the dive to become a Work from Anywhere employer when they discovered just how much the ‘shoal’ was thriving when working from home. But there was no way they would give up on having a physical space for their ‘Fish’ to get together when the time was right.
Firefish approached Amos Beech because they needed help to make their existing space more collaborative as part of their return to work post covid19. They have embraced a Hybrid working model and to ensure the offices became a destination space for their staff, they also asked us to create a bar within their offices.
Collaborative office space
The Interior Design team used their imagination and creativity to transform the space from a traditional desk and chairs layout to a much more fluid (no pun intended) environment that provides different spaces that all the staff are free to use as they wish.
Giant deck chairs and tiered seating are a couple of examples of space types that might have been thought unsuitable for office space and now becoming mainstream as Hybrid working becomes the new normal.
Hybrid working is essentially a blend of activity based working office design and a flexible approach to how employees fulfil their weekly/monthly contracted hours. This approach allows employees to choose where and when they work based on the tasks and projects that they are working on.
Looking to focus and get your head down without distractions? Work from home and get through the email backlog. Looking for inspiration from others and some collaboration and maybe some after work drinks – head into the office and feed off of the vibes.
Also check out this great video, made by the talented Firefish team themselves:
(Video opens in a new tab)
And the page on their website:
Published: 19 May 2022
Text & Photography: The Amos Beech Team
Office refurbishment and Laboratory fit-out for Fugro
Fugro’s Edinburgh office undertakes marine environmental and chemistry data analysis, interpretation and reporting. Having been located within the Heriot Watt Research Park for many years, Fugro had outgrown their current premises and were looking to move to purpose-built new laboratories and offices located within the same Research Park. Amos Beech were delighted to be involved at lease stage, working with both the Landlord and Tenant to ensure that the building was designed and built to meet Fugro’s requirements.
Office refurbishment on Heriot Watt Research Park
Working closely with the Landlord, Amos Beech took on the Planning & Building Warrant applications to enable the office refurbishment of Fugro’s exciting new premises. The existing building was a shell that had lain empty for several years…the only tenants being of the furry nature. The building works involved CAT A fit-out comprising of new ceilings, partitions, flooring, kitchen, WC’s, showers and a full contractor designed Mechanical and Electrical Installation including new water, gas and electrical mains connections.
Fully fitted out Laboratories
Working closely with the Fugro Team on the CAT B Fit-Out works we then took the project to completion with fully fitted out Laboratories, Office Space, Warehouse and cold storage. Cat B Works comprised of external enabling works, full BMS system including AHU’s, fume extract system, AC systems, IT & Data installation, Lab benching, freezer room, office and breakout space. Works involved many sub-contractors which was a challenging aspect as we were off-site for a few months during lockdown and returned to a new way of working. Our team rose to the challenge, the fit-out was completed and our Client was delighted!
Interior design office fit-out for ST Micro, Edinburgh
Office relocation and refurbishment is an experience that once completed, no-one is ever in a hurry to repeat any time soon.
Traditionally, a range of professional services along with trades and furniture/hardware suppliers are engaged by various means including word of mouth, tender and incumbent suppliers.
Interior design office fit out Tanfield Edinburgh
Time-Lapse Video
When ST Microelectronics from Edinburgh, decided that they would move rather than refurbish their existing premises, they took an early decision that they wanted to deal with one supplier only.
A one stop solution provider on a interior design and office fit-out project of this scale means you need a serious business to deliver – especially when this also had to include specialist removal and hoisting work which involved lifting equipment weighing 1000kg and clearance tolerances of less than 5mm!
Step up Amos Beech and the team. Having worked with ST in Edinburgh for the previous 15 years in their old offices, their track record meant that they were invited to tender for the project along with two other firms. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the ST requirements and combining this with a highly effective theme that accurately reflects their branding, they duly won the contract to fit-out the new Tanfield office space in Ediburgh.
As with any project, a tight timeframe was expected and the Amos Beech team of Commercial Interior Designers Edinburgh were under the cosh. Working with our Construction Team and Quantity Surveyors, design integrity was maintained whilst keeping a firm eye on the budgetted office fit out costs.
Key to the project being heralded as a success was keeping the staff on board and committed to the move. Along with this, a similar narrative meant that the new environment delivered on prospective employees’ vision of what a hi-tech firm like ST should appear like. Andy Price (Edinburgh Module Director) stated himself that he didn’t want to hear that the reason a recruit didn’t join was because of poor quality office was ever repeated!
Canteen and break out area
A large portion of the available space was carefully designed around the laboratory and dark room requirements. Specifications included compressed air, clean power and uprated flooring to take the heavy equipment that was to come. As part of this, a fire strategy had to be incorporated so that staff can escape from a darkroom in the event of a general evacuation alarm being given.
An advantage of the Tanfield space in Edinburgh is rather than being spread over 2 floors (which was the case in their old offices), all of the staff are on the same level and already the benefits are being reaped. A spread of informal and formal meeting spaces have been incorporated into the design. This allows staff to meet and discuss projects much more informally in a selection of spaces. Research tells us that when given a variety of spaces, both in terms of location and style, staff are much more likely to benefit both in terms of communication and positive outcomes.
There were 1 or 2 pieces in the puzzle that were picked up on very early in the interior design and office fit out project and the Amos Beech team were keen to preserve them. The first was table tennis, in the early days there was a table tennis table and this had disappeared as lack of available space dictated. This has been reinstated and it is use almost continuously throughout the day.
Operable Moving Wall
The second point was a space where all of the staff could gather for company announcements. A town hall space has been incorporated complete with tiered seating which when used with an operable wall, the whole space can be opened up to seat 150 staff every 4-6 months.
Wall closed
Wall open
All staff sit at electrically adjustable sit/stand workstations and it is interesting to see how this added functionality is actually being used by everyone.
What is more interesting is that previously the staff worked from old fashioned ‘corner’ desks with side extensions giving them 2.4m x 2.2m footprints and now they all work from 1600x800 workstations with dual monitor arms. And there are no complaints! Feedback has been nothing but positive and it is clear that everyone is very proud of their new environment.
