Veolia UK commissioned us to support them with the re-evaluation of the way they occupied their UK Head Office at 210 Pentonville Road. An impending and significant increase in rent and rates had galvanised the management team to research any reasonable options to support the reduction of floor space. We instigated a detailed information-gathering process to ensure all options supported actual business needs, including a significant two-week Time Utilisation Survey mapping how the space was being used by all staff. which identified average and peak occupancy rates for all departments, as well as mapping meeting room, breakout area and printer activity/occupancy.
A detailed report was provided and with average occupancy rates of 42% and peak rates at just 75% we suggested a layout supporting flexible working. The move from a traditional layout allowed the removal of superfluous workstations in favour of increased quantities of meeting spaces (both formal and informal) as well as quiet rooms and a spacious communal breakout area. It was agreed that desks would be provided for 80% of the headcount with lockers and hotboxes for all users.
