Meet... Molly Livings
Here we introduce our Space Utilisation Specialist & Project Coordinator, Molly Livings, who explains in this Q&A how and why Space Utilisation Surveys are becoming a core service for us here at The Workspace Consultants.
Q&A with Molly
Can you briefly summarise your role please?
In a nutshell, my role is to measure how efficiently space is being used, and with this I also measure how many people use a certain space and discover whether it's occupied, partially used or vacant, and even on occasions if there are any signs of life at all. This process helps to identify ways in which the individual office's effectiveness could be improved and to assess whether the client requires more space or a different approach to the existing office design/layout.
What’s your background/experience to date?
Having joined Workspace in November 2022, I've witnessed more and more demand for Space Utilisation Surveys. Since the plateau of Covid, as a business we've seen a sharp increase in demand for Space Utilisation Surveys and I've used many of the skills I've developed to begin heading up this department.
I've recently undertaken three major projects: one for a large international insurance company, one for a council and one for a leading utilities company. Each client had a completely different space and was targeting different objectives, but the results from the surveys and the experience I've gained can now be put to good use for future projects for all three clients.
What excites you about Space Utilisation Surveys?
Space Utilisation Surveys excite me because creating them aligns perfectly with my skills, experience and career aspirations. Each survey I've completed so far has been completely different, with some generating results that were expected and some returning unforeseen outcomes.
The surveys give clients a good understanding of what's needed for their space going forward, and with that comes the opportunity for a new/refreshed office.
Why are they important for clients?
It's important for clients to get an understanding of exactly what they require from their office space. Since Covid we've seen a lot of ‘work from home’ policies, but as time goes on these seem to be coming to an end, with teams returning to the office. As a result, many clients want to understand how their space is currently being used in order to create a bespoke environment that best suits their brand and workforce.
Why do you need a specialist? Could you not just work it out for yourself?
It's advisable to engage a specialist as they'll focus wholly on the job and will also have useful experience within the market and – most likely – the location. A completed Space Utilisation Survey will give a specialist such as myself the background needed not just to collate the results but to interpret them and produce a report indicating those areas of the workspace that are highly populated areas and those that are under utilised. This then enables us to advise on how we'd recommend designing this space – or instead finding new premises – for the future. The surveys also allow us to advise on the furniture which will best suit the new requirements for the space.
What outcomes will a Space Utilisation Survey deliver?
A Space Utilisation Survey is carried over one/two weeks and allows organisations to understand accurate occupancy rates in their various spaces. This information can be used in part of a workspace analysis to formulate a robust brief for our design team to commence the space planning and conceptual design phases. Without a Space Utilisation Survey, clients will need to make assumptions, but this process gives accurate real-time results and the data captured can be utilised moving forward. Our recommendations based on the results can help an organisation understand the size and nature of the actual space they require to operate efficiently and cost-effetively.
What advice would you give to a business looking to move or refresh their space?
I would say don’t hold back! Moving or refreshing your space can improve productivity, enhance employee morale and increase functionality. We assist clients with a range of budgets and can achieve a variety of improvements to cater for each client’s specific needs. At Workspace we also have different departments that can assist you every step of the way...
Away from work, what are your interests/pastimes?
I'm a passionate traveller and I love exploring new places and cultures, sometimes abroad but also occasionally just by going on long walks within the UK. I enjoy socialising at the weekends and doing ‘DIY’ in my first home.
