The British Shop is one of the UK’s leading providers of shipping to the fine art and antiques industry, with a global network of professionals and technicians who have expertise in fine art and antique installations and transportation.
Written by Felicitas Diac
Interior Designer/Space Planner
Felicitas is our Interior Designer/Space Planner and is dedicated to creating future-proof designs that integrate sustainability, multifunctionality and aesthetics. Her mission is to guarantee longevity and adaptability for years to come.
The British Shop initiated an interior design project to refurbish their old-fashioned office into a completely new and fresh workspace that fosters employee wellbeing, space utilisation and a ‘’feels like home’’ atmosphere.
Their office is based in London with a surface of approx. 230 m² that is extending on a single floor and including 23 workstations. The client currently faces challenges related to budget constraints, office expansion, space optimisation and multifunctionality, aesthetic preferences, acoustics, and the balance between privacy and openness.
Our client’s plan was to split their office onto two floors: the ground floor, which is to be transformed from a climate room to a functional office; and the first floor, that represents the initial space. That will allow for a total space of roughly 317 m² to accommodate up to 33 employees and the necessary facilities.
Crown Workspace was invited to assist The British Shop to accomplish a full office fit-out, from initial planning to final execution. Main services included:
- Project Preparation: Established the client requirements and project programme.
- Space Planning: Determined the optimal layout to match the allocation of space, functions within the office and client’s needs.
- Interior Design: Selected colour schemes, materials and furniture and prepared 3D visualisations for client’s review and approval.
- FF&E Procurement & Installation: Purchased office furniture from our Office Resale stock and other responsible suppliers, that suits the design and functionality of the office.
- Lighting: Created a plan that maximise natural light and exchanged the old system with efficient lighting solutions (LEDs) for a well-lit environment.
- Electrical and IT Infrastructure: Set up data cabling, networking, and other electrical needs.
- Flooring and Walls: Replaced and redecorated the floor and the walls with appropriate products for commercial use.
- Acoustic Solutions: Reduced noise and optimised the acoustics of the workspace by developing a layout that allows for both privacy and openness, and by installing acoustic and partition solutions.
- Kitchen Installation: Ensured plumbing services, maximised the space and replaced an old kitchen with a totally new one.
The client presented specific requests that entailed the conversion of a climate-controlled room originally designated for art storage into a fully equipped office designed for confidential departments. The confidential workspace necessitated the incorporation of kitchen facilities and a boardroom for private meetings. To optimise cost-efficiency, one of the pre-existing kitchens was relocated to the newly prepared office, and old partition glass was reused for the new meeting space.
Addressing the concern of storage, we ensured the installation of an appropriate quantity of cabinets and storage solutions on-site. Additionally, our bespoke planters Workspace serve a multipurpose as desk partitions, employee storage, and decorative plant pots, contributing to both functionality and aesthetics.
The final project resulted in the creation of an aesthetically pleasing, spacious, modern, and versatile workspace that displays a naturalistic and calming ambiance. The design revolves around a biophilic colour palette, featuring green hues and earthy terracotta tones complemented by neutral colours, fostering a sense of freshness, tranquillity, and overall well-being.
Additionally, an accent on symmetry, meticulous organisation, bright carpeting, and a commitment to preserving natural light flow all contributed to the creation of a spacious, breathable atmosphere.
The previous office layout lacked space for multi-purpose areas. In response, we developed zones that can be utilised for dining, relaxation, collaboration, and private meetings, highlighting increased productivity and interaction among employees. Moreover, we promoted a clean desk/office policy by offering ample document storage solutions within the workspace.
By repurposing furniture from our Office Resale stock and salvaging components from the previous office, we not only introduced sustainability into the new office but also effectively reduced project costs.
‘’I just wanted to say again, thank you for everything. The Crown Workspace team have all been amazing and we are all very happy with our new offices.’’
Kim York, PA to Directors, The British Shop
