PROJECT REPORT: COMMERCIAL & WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTS 55
breathes the brand values.” In this way, it would also provide a draw for attracting new, high-quality staff.
Challenges
Although experienced in workplace design, Edge was challenged by the project. The semi-rural location meant being particularly sympathetic to the natural surroundings. They were also integrating the new design with an existing building, Compass House, and accommodating a wide range of other activities, such as storage, workshops, and office space.
Addressing how to put the brand values centre stage, the architects “delved deep into Joules and its culture,” says O’Neill. He says this enabled them to “put people, and Joules’ unique processes at the heart of the design.” This was manifested in “creating a unified, cohesive space and integrating the interior and exterior design.”
This ethos influenced design decisions in many ways. The building’s reception is a central hub; an important design decision for several reasons. It was part of the futureproofing strategy, allowing for the potential subletting of space later down the line, and the nature of Joules’ work developing new clothing lines also includes an element of confidentiality, meaning the central reception also acts as a “security point.”
ADF NOVEMBER 2022
Wellbeing
The overall aim was promote staff health and wellbeing, including wayfinding signs encouraging staff to use stairs to reach common areas. These were designed to be “pleasant, comfortable spaces that facilitate and promote movement within the building, and encourage staff interactions,” O’Neill says. They contain “broad passageways” to also allow for the movement of goods and products around the site. Exercise is encouraged further by inclusion of shower facilities, as part of Joules’ cycle to work scheme, along with bicycle parking areas. A boot storage room is located off the reception, encouraging staff to take walks through the adjoining fields. Further wellbeing factors include providing staff with freedom of choice when it where they want to work day to day. “The layouts are spacious, including the landscaped exterior, quiet space, collaborative space and social space,” explains O’Neill. The more open working areas utilise “sound absorptive materials, and biophilic design principles create a calm and relaxing workspace, including office- wide planting and greenery.” The client’s sustainability goals tied to the wellbeing aims, with supply chains and materials carefully considered. They also enabled Edge to design for plenty of natural daylight, to reduce the need for
HEALTHY SPACES
The onsite cafe is run by a local business and features locally-sourced products
External images © Baileys Construction Internal images © Tim Crocker
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