Office Principles has designed and delivered a complete new agile working model for Theale based Cornerstone, the UK’s leading infrastructure services company, in its move from a 38,000 sq ft space to 22,000 sq ft, with a seven to ten desk sharing ratio, to make more efficient use of the new space, drive higher performance and increase staff engagement.
The fast-track fit out process was completed in approximately 11 weeks and included carpets, partitioning, ceilings, kitchen, extra shower and feet washing facilities, all decor and the creation of a dedicated wellbeing room. The award-winning design and workplace consultant acted to maximise the value of the project while working around other contractors within a tight time frame.
Work on the project followed a workplace study, conducted by Office Principles, which included a utilization study and a staff engagement process, to give Cornerstone a thorough understanding of how it could change its culture and working practises to increase greater teamwork and collaboration, while reducing its occupied space.
Joint managing director of Office Principles, Cyril Parsons explains: “Cornerstone visited one of our other recent projects and immediately saw the value in creating an agile working space, intelligently designed around staff, team and individual needs.
“The Cornerstone project was driven by a desire, on the client side, to promote better engagement; to increase productivity; and to support staff wellbeing. Careful planning was needed to ensure the best results and so the visionary and research stages were integral to the whole project.”
Ginette Kilroy, people director for Cornerstone is excited by the game-changing position that the completed project has brought the company to: “This has provided us with a cultural shift and whole new dynamic. We have set out an expectation, bringing the team on board at the earliest opportunity, and created an environment that is in tune with our people, our corporate values, and how they come together and work.
“We wanted this new office project to, essentially, be about the people and, with Office Principles’ consultancy and support, we have secured an inspirational working space that will accommodate fluid team working and client engagement.”
Holding a strong and varied commercial portfolio, Office Principles has worked with blue-chip brands such as Exterion Media, Telegraph Media Group, Meet in Place, Visa Europe, GE Capital, Fitness First, Tata Communications, ResMed, Direct Marketing Association, Land Securities, Mothercare, and Kuoni.
