At The Blade we’ve always worked closely with new occupiers to ensure that the space they choose is tailored to their needs, and company ethos. With the pandemic re-shaping the way that many businesses work, today’s offices have to support teams in different ways – offering focus areas for independent work along with inspiring break out spaces for collaboration. It’s also become more important for companies to encourage wellness, and ensure there are spaces which are sociable, friendly and inspire great work.
So how have some of our occupiers adapted their spaces over the past few years?
Hybrid working
It’s probably no surprise that a huge number of firms – perhaps as many as 82% – have altered their office space to facilitate hybrid working. And over a third have expanded into commuter towns such as Reading. Many UK businesses now favour flexible arrangements and have reconfigured space to suit the needs of hybrid working.
At The Blade we’re very supportive of our occupiers making their office spaces their own! We’ve often worked closely with companies as they take on a space, to ensure that it can be designed to reflect their team’s needs, company identity, any branding and break out spaces – so that it’s suitable for work and play. So whether it’s introducing a bar area for social events or to mark the end of the working week, or a games space to encourage breakout time we’ve loved seeing some of the imaginative ways our occupiers are introducing fun into the mix!
Reimagining office design
Many companies are reimagining office layouts as collaborative hubs rather than just desks. We’ve seen this at The Blade in recent years with some of the companies here adapting their offices to make sure there is more space with bigger tables for teamwork, additional comfortable seating for quiet focus or one-to-one chats and larger communal areas for social interaction. Our occupiers are clearly focused on designing workspaces that genuinely support wellbeing and teamwork.
People-centric spaces
UK businesses are definitely moving past the office vs home debate. We’ve seen a definite shift from the Monday-Friday/9-5, and with 24/7 access to the building, all of our occupiers have been able to easily offer more flexible hours to their teams.
We’re helping too – with a free weekly yoga class, picnic rugs for sunny days, free bike hire and weekly events in our Reception space from cake pop-ups to art exhibitions. We’ve also enhanced our communal and break out spaces, upgrading our Reception with new armchairs and sofas, bringing in an iPad controlled coffee machine, and adding curated music and extra plant-life for a more inviting experience. Outdoors there’s a calm area by the brook with seating and raised beds to offer everyone working here with the opportunity to take some time in a relaxed setting for breaks or informal meetings.
We’re very proud to offer a space which can adapt with new working practices, and which has attracted a business community who are embracing a more modern approach to their office space – not just for work but for collaboration and connection too!