Workers used to think they were being looked after if they had a window to look out of and a covered smoking shelter. Times have changed; the modern workforce now expects climate control, ambient lighting and a tech-enabled workspace as standard, and as a minimum. As a result, buildings are changing; refurbishments are becoming more bespoke and new-build projects are having to deliver to a higher specification.
To ensure that buildings are meeting the standards expected, developers are increasingly bringing in the experts by outsourcing elements of the fit-out to niche suppliers who will work alongside the main developer to make the most of the industry’s advances.
As an example, it’s the difference between the developer signing off the installation of some pretty average lighting because it can be bought in bulk and it’s easy to install, or investing in a lighting control system that gives better performance in a more efficient way but may cost more. By utilising the expertise of a specialist fit-out partner, the latter becomes a much stronger option. The business case stacks up for cost as this is balanced by long-term efficiency savings, the multitude of lighting options mean that for a client, they have options as to how they want to use lighting within their new office space and for the workforce, they can benefit from experiential lighting depending on which area of a building they are in.
In a refurbishment situation, it can be just as simple to adopt an ‘art of the possible’ approach by bringing in professionals who know how to make the most of a space ensuring that critical ‘housekeeping’ factors such as lighting, heating and facilities are all properly catered for within the budget and timeframe available.
For both, however, it can be difficult to meet specific building regulations if the use of the building is not yet known, meaning any specific requirements as a result how the building will be utilised may not be properly catered for. For this reason, specialist experts can work with the incumbent design and build team to design a specification that offers flexibility for future tenants and that can be easily re-designed or re-engineered should the new occupants wish to invest in it.
Undertaking any kind of category A or category B fit out is a complex business because of the number of elements involved and the trades that need to work alongside each other during installation. However, stepping back at the design phase and properly exploring the latest technology, innovation and trends within the office-build sector and then working with a specialist, trained expert as part of an outsourced team to understand how this can be applied within your specific space is likely to bring significant benefit.
A workplace environment should be inspiring, motivational and comfortable, and perhaps even a little aspirational. The traditional approach to fit-out is arguably much more functional so now, more than ever, is the time to embrace something a little different.
With over 20 years’ experience of transforming commercial space, Sigma provide a true end-to-end service; from fixtures and consolidation, to construction, projects and M&E.
