Rethinking Financial Services
Think of a business sector noted for progressive workplace design and financial services may not score high on your list. However, many professional services businesses are beginning to realise that investment in their work environment can pay dividends. Not just by boosting staff morale, but also help with growth ambitions by attracting new talent.
Building on their year-on-year success and ambitious plans to grow their team, Hurst Accountants made the decision to relocate their HQ to the brand new Stockport Exchange building. Taking over 11,000 sqft across the entire 5th floor, Hurst asked us to transform this blank canvas into a business changing environment that will support the development of the business and its people.
After a period of consultation and workshopping our brief became clear: to design a space that encourages staff to work and collaborate in new ways, create a new welcoming experience for clients and to create a best in class space that could support industry events.
"The feedback from our team and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. Already high staff morale has noticeably improved, and clients frequently comment on the impressive design and atmosphere of our office. The space not only reflects our brand and values but also enhances the overall experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
Since the office fit-out, we've seen a marked improvement in recruitment, particularly attracting talent from city centre-based firms. The quality of our new workspace has become a powerful tool in showcasing our forward-thinking culture and commitment to employee well-being. Prospective candidates regularly highlight the impressive office environment as a key factor in their decision to join us."
Simon Brownbill
Partner & Director, Hurst
First Impressions Last
It was important to create a warm and welcoming impression for both clients, partners and staff alike starting right from the moment you enter the front door. The traditional 'gatekeeper' style reception desk was abandoned in favour of a hospitality style experience that invited people to linger and relax here.
This cafe bar and lounge area creates a place where staff can grab their morning coffee and chat as they come into work. It also offers visitors a place to dwell before joining meetings with soft seating and soft, warm colours and materials to make them feel welcome and special.
Planned and Planted
The main open-plan workspace area is broken down into private, semi-private and social zones that support both solitary and focussed tasks, as well as collaborative team based collaboration. We designed bespoke, multi functional partitions to act as natural visual and acoustic barriers, but can also be utilised as whiteboards and planters.
Biophillia is an important part of the design with a comprehensive planting scheme implemented throughout the space. All the work, social and meeting zones are heavily planted to provide a calm and reflective atmosphere that supports staff wellbeing.
Supporting the Community
One of the more transformative aspects of the scheme is the provision of variety of breakout and alternative workspaces. These function as areas for catchups, collaboration as well as more social functions. From window booths and soft seating to kitchen lounge areas, the breakout area features places to support new types of working and collaborating away from traditional desks.
The social zone is large enough to invite visitors in to share the space with Hurst hosting industry events that both increasing the profile of the business in their sector and strengthen the culture and community they want to create.
