Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

User:Interior Options

2023-12-05T19:31:50Z

Interior Options:

Based on Luton Hoo Estate, [https://interior-options.com/ Interior Options] is a leading [https://interior-options.com/office-interior-design/ office interior design], [https://interior-options.com/office-fit-out/ fit-out] and furniture company working throughout London, the home counties and beyond.

We are one of the industry’s most accommodating [https://interior-options.com/office-furniture-collections/ office interior suppliers], dedicated to helping everyone find exactly what they need, no matter how big or small.

Customers who choose to work with us will find they receive big company professionalism that comes with many years of experience, along with the flexibility, excellent service and value for money that we offer as an SME.

{|
|width="100%"|
== Contents ==

* [[#We_provide_experience_you_can_trust|1 We provide experience you can trust]]
* [[#We_Have_a_Reputation_For_Quality|2 We have a reputation for]] quality
* [[#We_Give_Value_For_Money|3 We give value for money]]
* [[#Your_workspace_has_the_potential_to_support_commercial_success.|4 Your workspace has the potential to support commercial success.]]
|}

== We provide experience you can trust. ==

Interior Options has four decades of experience in providing interior solutions for industrial & commercial projects. We work to achieve extraordinary workspaces delivered to the highest levels of quality, technical expertise & safe working practices in the industry.

We provide “Experience You Can Trust”, where people, processes and technology combine to provide outstanding value for our customers.

== We have a reputation for quality. ==

At Interior Options, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work and with the knowledge that what we do, we do the best.

As furniture suppliers, we have trusted relationships with some of the UK’s biggest brands in commercial furniture, renowned for quality and reliability.

For interior fit-outs and refurbishments, we know that quality starts at the very beginning of the process and we approach every project with your unique needs in mind. From the initial estimate through to design and installation, our team provides fit-out solutions that ensure the highest standards are achieved.

== We give value for money. ==

Our experience enables us to offer our clients the best value through early contractor involvement, project planning, specification and financial forecasting.

We never compromise our services or the quality of our work in order to be competitive on cost. Our experience in delivering interior fit-out and furniture solutions in-house and more cost-effective and efficient methods of working enables us to pass these benefits on to our clients, be it through early delivery of a project or their bottom line.

== Your workspace has the potential to support commercial success. ==

Let us realise its potential and create a solution that nurtures your business, your employees and your way of working.

[https://interior-options.com/get-in-touch/ Get in touch] to discuss your workspace project.

8 Steps to Plan Your Stress-Free Office Fit-Out

2023-10-23T14:13:26Z

Interior Options: Created page with "= Introduction = Over the recent years, the demand for flexibility, productivity and a workplace that enriches company culture has pushed businesses of all sizes to reconsider t..."

= Introduction =

Over the recent years, the demand for flexibility, productivity and a workplace that enriches company culture has pushed businesses of all sizes to reconsider their office layout, and for some, that has even meant relocating.

Beyond re-mapping out an entire office layout, an [https://interior-options.com/office-fit-out/ office fit-out] involves [https://interior-options.com/workplace-consultancy/ workplace strategy], stakeholder management and business continuity plans that must be considered long before the need to start packing items into boxes.

It’s unsurprising that with all this to contend with, the thought of amending an office’s layout can be daunting and often stressful.

But stress no more! If you’re thinking of restructuring your office and need help starting the ball rolling, we’ve put together a simple 8-step guide to help you on your way.

These steps assume that you have already decided your business case for the shift and identified your space requirements. However, if that’s not the case and completion day is still a way off, our [https://interior-options.com/office-refurbishment-guide/ Office Refurbishment Guide] has everything you need to know before you start.

== Office Refurbishment Guide ==

If you’re thinking about refurbishing your office. Make sure you download our guide and read it first.

Whether you’re considering or have been tasked with creating a brand new space for your company, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know.

Included Inside

* Project planner
* Interactive project checklist
* Refurbishment budget calculator
* 36 pages of advice – from refurbishment project concept to completion

[https://interior-options.com/office-refurbishment-guide DOWNLOAD GUIDE]

=== Step 1: Define fit-out costs and budgets ===

An office fit-out will likely be one of your business’s big investments, so ensuring you have the right budget is critical.

Break your costs down into different cost categories and aim to get a range of quotes for each to draw up a detailed budget for the entire project. We generally recommend four core categories for your probable spend:

* Building-related (e.g., rent, maintenance, construction costs, dilapidations)
* Advisory fees (e.g., legal advice, audits, workplace consultancy)
* Capital expenditure (e.g., fit-out, IT infrastructure, furniture)
* Soft costs (e.g., insurance, staff training)

Remember to explore cost savings to maximise the value and savings from the project. This could be allowances (e.g., sustainability) or landlord contributions.

=== Step 2: Assemble your team ===

Many moving parts come with an office refurbishment, which will likely substantially impact everyone in the business. To ensure everyone is working towards the best possible outcome, defining roles and setting responsibilities for all key departments is helpful.

These departments will look different for every business, but as a starting point, you’ll need to consider how each team will be impacted and who your key stakeholders will be.

=== Step 3: Appoint a design and furnishing partner ===

Once you have your business case, budget and project manager all in place, your design and refurbishment teams will turn the empty shell of the interior into an operational space for your team. This transformation is where the majority of your costs will be spent, so it’s important to have the right team.

Do your design and build partner offer…

* Complete project management through one point of contact?
* [https://interior-options.com/workplace-consultancy/ Workplace consultancy] and space audits to qualify your space needs?
* Full cost estimates with a fixed and transparent budget.
* Space planning?
* [https://interior-options.com/office-interior-design/ Interior design]?
* [https://interior-options.com/office-fit-out/ Fit out and construction]?
* Furniture selection and procurement?
* Mechanical & electrical design and installation?
* [https://interior-options.com/hvac-systems/ HVAC] (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)?
* Plumbing?
* Planning permission and landlord negotiations/applications?
* Health & safety and building compliance?
* [https://interior-options.com/structured-data-cabling/ IT and telephony cabling], moving & installation?

=== Step 4: Review your storage requirements ===

[https://interior-options.com/office-furniture-collections/office-storage/ Office storage] is often considered at the last moment, usually at the point when you’re making furniture decisions. However, addressing it late can cause organisational issues further down the line.

While in the design phase of your office refurbishment project, you need to be reviewing your business’s storage needs.

Developing a considered storage and filing strategy can reduce your space requirements and boost efficiencies in the workplace.

Here are some points to consider when compiling a coherent storage and filing strategy.

* Recycling/bin storage
* Personal storage (desks, pedestals)
* Document storage
* Office supply storage
* Housekeeping (coat racks, lockers)
* Reception storage
* Kitchen area storage
* Secure storage
* Offsite storage and warehousing
* Cloud storage

=== Step 5: Review your IT needs ===

Your IT requirements will be one of the most important things to consider when planning your office move. Make sure you get started as early as possible and begin working with your internal or external project managers to ensure you’re able to have everything up and running from day one.

=== Step 6: Make sure you communicate your fit-out plan ===

An office fit-out is an exciting time for a business and its people, but a new environment can potentially cause anxiety and uncertainty among employees.

To remove any uncertainty about the change, we recommend you keep everyone informed, including:

* Regulators
* Department heads
* Parent company
* Unions
* Staff
* Board members

Make sure you:

* Open clear lines of communication and a chain of command
* Hold weekly progress meetings to review the programme
* Hold weekly site visits with the project team

Weekly site visits with the project team

Organise weekly site visits with the project team to review your programme and ensure the work is performed to a high standard.

The agenda for these meetings should include the following;

* Review of previous visits
* Design changes
* Variations with allocated costs
* On-site health and safety amendments
* Environmental and disposal concerns
* Review of programme
* Review of space and any faults that need to be rectified
* Review of finishes

Progress meetings to review the programme

Organise a communication plan for staff, customers, neighbouring tenants and service providers to ensure everyone is in the loop.

The agenda for these meetings should include the following;

* Review of programme
* Design changes
* On-site health and safety amendments
* Environmental and disposal concerns
* Finishes
* Community feedback

=== Step 7: Time to choose your move champions ===

In larger businesses, we recommend selecting a champion from each department to help ease the natural burden of adapting to your new office. For smaller businesses, one or two move champions will work.

Your move champions can be troubleshooters for the rest of the business, especially in the first few days. They can also support general introductions to the new space with office tours for different teams to help them familiarise themselves with their new surroundings.

=== Step 8: Make sure you're ready for move-in day ===

With so much to manage on the day itself, we recommend doing a few things to make the launch as smooth as possible.

* Ensure the fit-out and delivery teams can access your site – including when work is carried out on weekends or evenings.
* Make sure there is sufficient parking space, and consider where your staff will park if the fit-out teams use their spaces.
* Label everything – if you’re moving departments across multiple floors, we would recommend a format for your labels (such as name, team and floor).
* Make arrangements with removal companies. Consider your long-term and short-term requirements for offsite storage and assess any archiving requirements.
* Make sure you’ve discussed the move with your IT and Telecoms company regarding the movement of technical equipment and that they have everything covered.
* Now is the right time to do a spring clean of the workplace, just before the fit-out team starts work.

 

=== If you are planning an office fit-out, please [https://interior-options.com/get-in-touch/ get in touch] for advice. ===

File:Screenshot 2023-10-23 at 15.08.35.png

2023-10-23T14:09:07Z

Interior Options: Office Refurbishment Guide Thumbnail

Office Refurbishment Guide Thumbnail

User:Interior Options

2023-10-23T09:57:35Z

Interior Options:

Based on Luton Hoo Estate, [https://interior-options.com/ Interior Options] is a leading [https://interior-options.com/office-interior-design/ office interior design], [https://interior-options.com/office-fit-out/ fit-out] and furniture company working throughout London, the home counties and beyond.

We are one of the industry’s most accommodating [https://interior-options.com/office-furniture-collections/ office interior suppliers], dedicated to helping everyone find exactly what they need, no matter how big or small.

Customers who choose to work with us will find they receive big company professionalism that comes with many years of experience, along with the flexibility, excellent service and value for money that we offer as an SME.

== We provide experience you can trust ==

Interior Options has four decades of experience in providing interior solutions for industrial & commercial projects. We work to achieve extraordinary workspaces delivered to the highest levels of quality, technical expertise & safe working practices in the industry.

We provide “Experience You Can Trust”, where people, processes and technology combine to provide outstanding value for our customers.

== We Have a Reputation For Quality ==

At Interior Options, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work and with the knowledge that what we do, we do the best.

As furniture suppliers, we have trusted relationships with some of the UK’s biggest brands in commercial furniture, renowned for quality and reliability.

For interior fit-outs and refurbishments, we know that quality starts at the very beginning of the process and we approach every project with your unique needs in mind. From the initial estimate through to design and installation, our team provides fit-out solutions that ensure the highest standards are achieved.

== We Give Value For Money ==

Our experience enables us to offer our clients the best value through early contractor involvement, project planning, specification and financial forecasting.

We never compromise our services or the quality of our work in order to be competitive on cost. Our experience in delivering interior fit-out and furniture solutions in-house and more cost-effective and efficient methods of working enables us to pass these benefits on to our clients, be it through early delivery of a project or their bottom line.

== Your workspace has the potential to support commercial success. ==

Let us realise its potential and create a solution that nurtures your business, your employees and your way of working.

[https://interior-options.com/get-in-touch/ Get in touch] to discuss your workspace project.

Why bulkhead ceilings are trending in commercial design

2023-09-12T11:48:58Z

Interior Options: Created page with "[https://interior-options.com/bulkhead-ceilings/ Bulkhead ceilings] have a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s, when they were originally made from corrugated iron or ..."

[https://interior-options.com/bulkhead-ceilings/ Bulkhead ceilings] have a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s, when they were originally made from corrugated iron or tin-covered steel. They were considered cost-effective and decorative solutions for interiors. The metal tiles brought intricate patterns to ceilings and lifted the eye upward, giving both residential and commercial spaces a feeling of ornate elegance.

Fast forward 150 years, and the vision for bulkhead ceilings has expanded considerably. Today, specifiers choose these ceilings for their design performance, style flexibility and ease of application. But beyond their performance, sustainability, and practicality, today’s bulkhead ceiling solutions are fast becoming the most asked-for style requirement for commercial refurbishments.

Here's why bulkhead ceilings are trending with clients in [https://interior-options.com/office-refurbishment/ commercial refurbishments].

Aesthetics 
Bulkhead ceilings can add visual interest and a sense of uniqueness to a space. They can be designed in various shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing for creative and customised designs that align with a company's branding or desired ambience.

[https://interior-options.com/soundproofing-office-false-ceilings/ Acoustic Control] 
Many modern workspaces prioritise acoustic comfort to enhance productivity and well-being. Bulkhead ceilings can be designed with acoustic materials to absorb or diffuse sound, reducing noise levels and creating a more pleasant working environment.

Zoning and Privacy 
Bulkhead ceilings can help delineate different zones within an open workspace, providing a sense of privacy and division without the need for physical walls. This can be especially useful in open-plan offices.

Lighting Integration 
Bulkhead ceilings can incorporate integrated lighting solutions, such as recessed lights or LED strips. This can enhance the overall lighting design of a workspace and create a visually appealing atmosphere.

Flexibility 
Some bulkhead ceiling designs are modular and can be easily reconfigured or expanded, allowing for adaptability in a dynamic workspace. This aligns with the trend toward flexible office layouts that can accommodate changing needs.

Branding Opportunities 
Bulkhead ceilings offer a unique canvas for incorporating a company's branding elements, such as logos or colour schemes, creating a cohesive and on-brand environment.

Green Design 
Sustainable design practices are increasingly important. Bulkhead ceilings can be constructed using environmentally friendly materials, and they can incorporate green features like energy-efficient lighting and acoustic materials made from recycled content.

Biophilic Design 
Bulkhead ceilings can be designed to mimic natural elements like tree canopies or clouds, using techniques such as [https://interior-options.com/moss-walls/ moss ceilings] to contribute to the principles of biophilic design, which seeks to connect occupants with nature and improve well-being.

Wellness and Well-being 
Design elements that promote well-being, such as incorporating natural light and creating aesthetically pleasing environments, are becoming more popular in commercial spaces. Bulkhead ceilings can contribute to these objectives.

Customisation 
Companies are increasingly seeking unique and customised design solutions to set their workspace apart and attract talent. Bulkhead ceilings offer a canvas for creativity and personalisation. 

[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]