A well-designed workspace can help to optimise productivity, boost employee satisfaction, and even improve the health of the people working there. There are many different types of effective office layout; the one that is right for your business will depend on the type of business, the available space, the working style of the employees, and the budget. Furniture At Work stocks a wide range of office furniture, including adjustable desks to fit any space and ergonomic chairs to suit any physical requirements. Private Offices and Meeting Rooms Private offices and meeting rooms are designed for one person or one group of people to use at a time. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on in the UK, private office space is more valuable than ever before for anyone who is unable to work from home. Furnishing a private office requires additional floor space and separate lighting and heating, but there are many advantages, especially in the current climate. Having a private space to work can also help boost productivity for many people. Open Office Layout Open office layouts encourage employee interaction, which can be ideal in businesses where regular communication between teams is key. This type of layout is particularly popular with creative companies and tech firms, where people need to be able to bounce ideas off each other throughout the working day. When designing an open office layout, it is essential to ensure that each employee has sufficient desk space to call their own. National guidelines suggest that each employee should have a minimum of 11 cubic metres to work in, assuming the ceiling is no more than three metres high. If the ceilings are higher, calculations should still be made assuming a height of three metres. To calculate space per employee, simply divide the volume of the room by the maximum number of employees. Including a mixture of sitting and standing desks can help to improve employee health, particularly in hot desk offices where people can choose to move around more. Cubicle Layout A cubicle layout provides a form of compromise between having private office space for each employee and an open office layout. With cubicles, each employee has a semi-private space for their own work but is still able to communicate easily with other members of the team when required. Cubicles or screens between desks help to ensure social distancing in the workplace as well, making them a better solution in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic than a completely open workspace. Cubicles also give employees more autonomy over their own space, as they provide opportunities to add personal touches such as photographs and mementos from home. As each employee has the same amount of space, cubicle layouts can also provide staff with a feeling of equality and prevent any unintentional favouritism or appearance of favouritism. Team-Cluster Layout As the name implies, a team-cluster office layout is designed for companies where people are regularly expected to work as a team. These types of layouts are more like informal meeting rooms than individual offices, with a large communal desk where everyone can see and speak to each other while working. This type of layout works best for companies where discussion, brainstorming, meetings and employee interactions are part of the strategic process. Hybrid Layout A hybrid layout takes advantage of all available space and provides employees with a mixture of private workspaces and team workspaces. These types of layout are highly customisable and deliver all the advantages of each type of layout in one area. A hybrid layout might include several cubicles for individual working, team meeting spaces, comfortable relaxation zones designed to encourage creativity, and perhaps one or two private offices. Hybrid layouts work well for dynamic companies where employee interaction is valued, but people may sometimes need peace and quiet to tackle a project. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for designing the perfect office space, as different types of business will derive benefits from each style of layout. Whichever style is chosen, Furniture At Work has a comprehensive range of office furniture to equip any space with quality items at affordable prices.

Perega continues to demonstrate its structural engineering expertise in the retail sector, providing expert consultancy to Adidas for their latest UK outlet: an ultra-immersive store on London’s bustling Oxford Street. When it came to the design and build of its new West End outlet, which received a coveted accolade at the World Retail Awards, global fashion brand Adidas knew it needed to deliver a shopping experience with a difference. Known for its instantly recognisable logo and Three Stripe trademark, they wanted the store to be as bold as the brand identity; visually striking, and enticing, a space that would stand out from the fierce competition in the surrounding area. In the beginning… In development for over three years, Perega was involved in the ambitious five-storey project from the very beginning, before the landlord began converting the building’s shell structure from office to retail. This long involvement allowed the appointed team of engineers to influence the shell works, adding value to the client through ensuring the floor plate, and three-storey entrance atrium was to Adidas’s requirements. Another important task during the early stages was the design and planning of the store’s scenic lift and the main staircase, which would cantilever from and wrap seamlessly around the central lift shaft. This work tested Perega’s engineers to their limits. It was made more challenging as it had to be completed during the landlord’s shell works before any other design elements were fully developed. Delivering the Displays Adidas wanted to create the most digital retail outlet in the UK, with smart mirrors, iPad consoles, and immersive audio-visual installations. As part of the project, Perega also helped deliver unobtrusive, yet robust, supports for these numerous digital display features. The larger of these items were hung and the solutions we developed had to be aesthetically pleasing or hidden. This included the support for the store’s impressive ‘digital chandelier’ and transparent display screens hung in the façade’s double-height ground floor windows. Challenges were faced early on in the fit-out design, especially regarding the load-bearing capabilities of the structure, which was inadequate to lay screed on. Working closely with the main contractor, Powells, an alternate lightweight solution was proposed to allow work to go ahead with minimal delay. No stone left unturned The client wanted exposed concrete blockwork walls within the store, to achieve a gritty, urban style. However, the same issue faced with the screed occurred once more; fundamentally, the structure was inadequate to support this weight. Instead, block slips were glued to stud walls, reducing the weight but maintaining the same desired aesthetic. The overall result speaks for itself, and through Perega’s unrivalled problem-solving abilities, the team was able to deliver robust structures and systems according to Adidas’s overall brief, without any compromise on aesthetics. Commenting on the project, Perega’s Senior engineer, Sam Coleman, said, “Our work on Adidas’s new Oxford Street store is a great example of collaboration throughout the construction journey. The client’s design team had ambitious ideas for the space, and we helped them to realise their vision within the boundaries of what’s possible. I particularly enjoyed the open dialogue we maintained on the project. A healthy and structured process of analysis, reflection, and mutual compromise meant we were able to overcome challenges and create a unique, structurally safe interior, which will appeal to customers and influence purchasing decisions.” He continues, “I have a deep respect and admiration for Adidas’s design team whose creativity is unmatched. The scope and the scale of the project is breathtaking, and this has been borne out with the recent win of a highly coveted World Retail Award for Outstanding Store Design. We look forward to working with the brand again in the near future.” Throughout the Adidas Oxford Street project, Perega worked closely with other members of the design team, including Mace, Powells, DB3 Architecture, Brinkworth Design, and Quadrant Design. Opened earlier this year Adidas Oxford Street recently received a highly-coveted accolade at the World Retail Awards for ‘Outstanding Store Design (> 1200sqm). To find out more about Perega’s work in the retail sector, click here.

Consumerism has given rise to a massive problem of waste. Single use plastic, food wrappers, packaging, paper wipes, empty bottles and everything else we throw away ends up in landfills and keep piling up. At the rate humans are producing waste, it is not long before the planet runs out of space and thus, reducing waste production is the only way to go. If you are someone who goes around picking up thrown away furniture, wooden custom boxes, bottles etc, here are some fun upcycling ideas to transform trash to treasure. Bags Out Of Plastic However much you take the conscious decision of reducing packaging, there will be times when you simply can’t avoid a plastic packet. But instead of throwing them away, you can easily upcycle them and put them to good use. Collect and clean all your polythene bags, wrappers and other forms of plastic, even torn ones work. Lay them out flat and using a hot iron melt and mould them into a sheet of plastic. If needed layer up sheets for better reinforcement. This can be shaped into a sturdy shopping bag, waterproofing linings, packing etc. Crates For Storage, Display And Seating Discarded wooden crates are practically treasures as they can be put to many different kinds of uses. You can make the best of odd spaces such as under the bed and random nook by simply sticking a crate and storing things in it. It can keep your things sorted and thus, make it easier to find when needed. With a little basic carpentering skills you can convert multiple crates into a nice wardrobe for storage, a display unit for plants and such or even an affordable couch. If you do not want to put in the work, simply throw a cushion over it and use as a single-seater. Simply by adding some old fabric, these can be converted into pet beds for stray animals to take refuge in. Bottles As Décor While used bottles can be used to store drinking water, not all discarded bottles might be the safest for storing consumables. However you can put them to use in several ways. You can easily cut plastic bottles up, poke little holes and use them as planters or propagating pots for your garden. Smaller bottles, be it plastic or glass can be used to decorate. Throw in some pretty string lights o a candle and you have a beautiful light. These can also be painted, cut or decorated and made into pretty pieces to make your place look nicer and they also serve as great handmade gifts. Scraps for art Scraps of clothes, metals, single use cutlery and even electronic wastes such as chips and circuits, cables, wires etc can be repurposed into Halloween or Christmas decorations, stunning art pieces around your home, quirky gifts or even as art installations left outside for passers by to admire. You can use your old clothes to create fascinating patchwork rugs, bags, scarves and other pieces of clothing or décor. With a little imagination and work you can put every bit of non-biodegradable item into use and thus, effectively reduce the amount of waste that we leave out. Every little bit of effort goes a long way in better waste management and a cleaner planet

With the UK housing market currently experiencing a boom, comparethemarket.com has carried out an eye-tracking experiment to reveal what buyers really notice when they first view a property. Three different properties were viewed by buyers using eye-tracking hardware to capture the parts of the home that caught their attention. Whilst some of the key areas buyers looked at might be those you would expect, such as the radiators and tap pressure, comparethemarket.com can reveal that garden access, a clean and working oven, and accessories were also heavily observed. Based on the findings and what buyers noticed most during the experiment, comparethemarket.com offers insight on what sellers should focus on to prepare a property for viewings.   Radiators As we’re approaching autumn and temperatures start to cool, people are likely to start turning their heating on and buyers want to know that the radiators work. The experiment found that buyers went straight for radiators when looking around a property to check they worked. If you have viewings booked, consider turning your heating on before they take place to ensure your home is warm. Not only will this show that both your heating system and radiators work, but it’ll create a cosy atmosphere. Also, contemplate cleaning your radiators so they’re free of dust and marks. Garden access The eye-tracking experiment showed that buyers looked out into the garden as soon as they entered a room that backs onto it, and then checked the patio doors to see if they could access the garden. Not being able to do so can be off-putting for buyers as they want to be able to see every aspect of the home. Moreover, due to the recent pandemic, a lot of people are looking for a home that will give extra space, including a garden. Make sure viewers can access your garden if they wish and consider tidying it up and making the most of the space. Water pressure During the experiment, one of the first things potential buyers did in the kitchen and bathroom was check the taps to see what the water pressure was like. It’s important to check your water pressure is of normal standards before hosting viewings. To determine the pressure, you can either ask a plumber to look, or you can get a rough guide by turning your main feed tap on and off a couple of times. As buyers will be observing taps, ensure they’re clear of limescale and give them a quick wipe using baby oil for extra shine. Cupboard doors When walking around the kitchen, one of the first things buyers did was check the cupboards to see if they were well built and in good condition. It’s therefore worth seeing if the quality and durability of all your cupboards is up to scratch before viewings. Do they open and close well? Can they hold the correct amount of produce? Buyers were also seen looking inside cupboards during the experiment, so make sure they’re kept tidy. Bed comfort When buyers walk into a bedroom, the first thing they spot is the bed. Although you may take your bed with you once you move out of your property, buyers were seen to feel or sit on the bed when observing the room during the experiment. This is probably to help visualise themselves sleeping in the room. Before a viewing, ensure your bed is well made. You might also want to consider purchasing new quilts and cushions to ensure they have a good warmth and weight ratio. Oven Whilst in the kitchen, the first thing potential buyers looked at was the oven, which they also turned on to see if it works. Therefore, it’s important to make sure the oven works and is kept clean before a house viewing. Ensure the hobs and trays are washed and do not cook anything too fragrant prior. If you’re staying in the property whilst viewings take place, consider switching your oven on so buyers can see that it works. Just remember to switch it off once they have left. If you’re not going to be in the property when viewings are going ahead, leave your oven switched off. Scents While a scent isn’t something you can physically see, during our eye-tracking experiment diffusers and candles were one of the first things potential buyers spotted throughout the home and they were picking them up to smell them too. Therefore, it’s a good idea to purchase a couple of diffusers or candles and scatter them around your home before a house viewing. Not only will potential buyers pick up on the pleasant aroma, but you’ll also banish any unpleasant smells such as pet odour. Lighting Buyers were also seen to check if the light switches work, so make sure they do. If rooms are dim, consider leaving the lights on to add brightness so viewers can properly inspect the room. Many buyers also looked at ceiling lights as soon as they entered the room, so consider purchasing a new lampshade to make your room look more appealing. Accessories Buyers want to visualise themselves living in a property, and whilst their interior preference may differ, they still want to look at a room and think “wow, I could live here”, and the more a buyer can picture themselves living in a home, the better it is for a seller. Accessories such as blankets, throws, and scatter cushions on sofas and beds were one of the first things potential buyers looked at while in the bedroom and living room especially. These accessories do help give a room a homely finishing touch, so invest in some if you can.

If you are hoping to refurbish your office, then you may find it difficult to know where to start. It may be that you have a specific look in mind, but you are overwhelmed with the amount of choices that are available. On the flip side, if you only want to change a couple of details in the workplace then you may still find it hard to know what’s going to benefit your team and what isn’t. Open up your Space It doesn’t matter how big or how small your space might be because you can always end up making the most out of it by introducing a more open-plan layout. If this means knocking down your office partition taking down cubes or even rearranging desks, then you need to make sure that you do this. If you do, then you will soon find that your open-office layout is way more efficient and that you are also able to capitalise on a much bigger space too. Adding More Light Another thing that you can do is try and add more light to your space. There’s no better workspace than one that is super bright and airy. Natural light has proven time and time again to make people way happier and much more productive. This can be useful if you have the ultimate goal of building an efficient workforce. It’s helpful to make sure that your office space allows as much light in as possible, and there are a few ways that you can do this. You can either add some skylights, or you can try and install some artificial lighting. Adding more windows could also be an option. Remember that any changes you do, may require you to make changes to your insurance policy, so look up business insurance quotes if you can. Consider Glass Partitions One of the best and the easiest ways for you to keep your office up to date would be for you to try and install some glass partitions. They are often seen in glass-fronted sky-scrapers that are in city centres. Glass partitions are ideal if you want to maximise the amount of natural light, not to mention that it’s a great alternative when compared to solid walls and doors. The great thing about this is that they won’t disrupt the design of your space, in fact, they can actually enhance it. Create some Break-out Spaces Most modern offices are more than just rooms filled up to the brim with desks and computers. If you want to give your team the help, they need to stay calm and collected at work then break-out spaces are ideal. You would be surprised at how much they could help your team to stay focused and they can also help you to give them the mental break they need from work. Break-out spaces could include having games consoles, or even bean bags so they can relax. Either way, you need to make sure that you incorporate this into your new building design.

There’s always a certain magic to a night at the casino. It could be the flashing lights, the excitement of the games, or that feeling of having absolutely nowhere else to be. Maybe James Bond has something to be thanked for; after all, there’s little more glamorous than a martini and a spin of the roulette wheel. Whatever it is, that feeling is only amplified in a beautifully designed casino. Incredible architecture has the ability to turn a great night at the casino into one that you’ll remember forever. These casinos are some of the most spectacular in the world. Casino de Monte Carlo, Monaco Whilst online casino games offer good entertainment and can be played from the comfort of your own home, there’s a certain charm in visiting the actual casino. Those who are fans of playing slots online will be delighted at the variety on offer in the Casino de Monte Carlo. There are no less than 1000 different slot machines, each with differing price levels, so there’s one to suit all budgets. Better still though, is the table games room. This room is heavily decorated with golden chandeliers, red velvet drapes and dark wood paneling. It feels like the most sophisticated club room you could imagine. This combined with classical portraits adorning every inch of free wall space makes the building feel almost gallery-like. Views across the Riviera complete the feeling of opulence. Stepping outside you’ll immediately notice the ornate baroque facades. Whilst minimalism has been the prevailing trend for some time now, when maximalism looks as good as the Casino de Monte Carlo, you wonder how it ever went out of fashion. The Venetian, Las Vegas Anything that’s inspired by a visit to Venice is likely to feature some stunning architecture, and the Venetian in Las Vegas is certainly no exception. It recently celebrated 20 years of roaring success, in no small part down to the relatively tasteful design of the building. Whilst many of Vegas’ casinos are, to put it nicely, rather tacky, the Venetian has a genuinely classy atmosphere, both inside and out. Perhaps the largest stroke of genius in the casino design is the canal that encompasses the entire building. This means that guests each receive a valet gondola service, from car door to casino door. This kind of detail is exactly the sort of thing that creates the right mood at the beginning of the evening – and also encourages guests to stay and play a little longer. Of course, being in Vegas, the Venetian is no small operation. At 36 stories high and 120,000 square feet, it more than holds its own against the big boys. Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Up until fairly recently, the largest casinos were almost exclusively found in Las Vegas. However, over the last decade, Asia has increasingly found itself at the center of mega-casino building. Sentosa, a small island off Singapore, opened Resorts World Sentosa back in 2010, at an eye-watering cost of nearly $5 billion. Although nowhere near as enormous as the Venetian, the casino still boasts an enormous 16,000 square feet of playing space. Not only this but the resort also includes a huge aquarium, a Universal Studios park, and plenty of restaurants. Whilst some resorts can feel a little disjointed, this one was designed entirely by Michael Graves. This single architect-approach creates a sleek, futuristic feel throughout. There are no jarring design differences, just clean lines, smooth flowing shapes, and an overall feeling of being somewhere really rather special. There are certainly plenty of very special casinos in the world. One thing that seems to unite all of these ones, though, is a single visionary approach. Allowing one person to create their dream casino does seem to reliably yield beautiful results. Whether it’s the dream of a time gone by, the memories of a special vacation, or a trip into the future, each of these casinos shows what a strong individual vision can bring to building design.

What makes a business great? Is it the products and services it offers? Is it the employees that carry out their duties with aplomb and bring the company’s mission statement to life every day? Is it the branding that resonates with the target market. It goes without saying that all of these elements play a part in how successful a business is (or isn’t). But a business lives or dies by its operational efficacy and expediency. And those in the realms of architecture and construction understand that the physical and data infrastructure that they build into the workspace can either hello nascent businesses to hit the ground running or hobble ambitious startups at the first hurdle.  Office architecture has always been intrinsic to operational success. Indeed, we’ve seen a recent example where a “touch free” architecture can also help to keep employees safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases which can be communicable in the workplace. But there’s often a disparity between what’s trendy, chic and desirable in the startup world and what’s conducive to productivity and collaboration. So, when a client comes to you and says “we’re thinking open plan”, there are a few reasons why this should give you pause. While it might make for easy data cabling and offer some cool design opportunities, there are also some caveats. You should discuss these with the client… Open plan offices inhibit face to face interactions Ambitious startups invariably want to create an atmosphere of dynamic collaboration. But while it may seem like the openness and space of an open plan office are conducive to this, studies by the Harvard Business Review actually actually suggest that face to face interactions fall by as much as 70% in open plan offices. It’s hard to be truly collaborative in a wide open space. Not only does it make us feel smaller and more vulnerable, the acoustics make clear communication in groups challenging.  Confidentiality is difficult in open plan offices If your client’s company deals in confidential or sensitive information which needs to be communicated verbally, this creates complications in open plan offices. As hard as everyone may try to exercise discretion, sound can travel far in open spaces. While it’s relatively easy to assign a separate space to confidential communications, this can disrupt the operational flow of the workplace.   Employees have less autonomy over their space Every employee has their own personal sweet spot in terms of natural and artificial light and ambient temperature that’s most conducive for their productivity. But when the workspace is open plan, it’s virtually impossible for individual team members to make the space their own in this way. And while they may be able to decorate their desks with personal baubles and trinkets, this can still prevent team members from  feeling truly comfortable at work.  Sickness and infection can be more apt to spread Finally, while it may be easier to socially distance in an open plan office space, fewer physical barriers to infection mean that virus-laden droplets of moisture can be transmitted between employees. Especially if they have to raise their voices to be heard over the hum of background chatter. Something that’s particularly resonant in the post-COVID age.