A new Home for Homelet, in Lincoln
We helped HomeLet (part of the Barbon Insurance Group.) relocate from their 40,000 sq.ft. HQ in Lincoln into new premises of 25,000 sq.ft.
Our workplace strategy helped Homelet to reduce their space requirement by 30% yet accommodate 100 additional staff. It enabled them to expand their Lincoln team to 330 people, significantly cut their overheads and facilitate business growth.
Working closely with the HomeLet change management team we undertook a detailed study of their workplace, and devised a new strategy which enabled more ‘task based working and flexibility’. Their new workplace was designed to encourage openness and create a ‘lively, friendly, homely’ environment. Our clients are extremely happy with the results and we have subsequently worked with other parts of the Barbon Group considering their accommodation options.
“Ian & Veronika. Just to say thank you both very much for all your patience, support, advice, kindness and professionalism. We love it here. It is so beautiful for us all. Thanks.” Helen Lloyd. Head of Facilities.
Ian was ably supported by Amalgam’ates, Sian Ives & Veronika Mitanova. Along with Claire Pagdham of The Furniture Practice.
Photography; Clive Doyle & Andy Smith
Light weight timber 'micro-architecture' structures
Pergolas and booths, define separate zones for the various operational areas and create a ‘sense of place’ for each of the different sales, or customer services teams.
Homely
The interior was designed to feel informal and domestic. To make it as ‘homely’ as a call centre could be.
Colour scheme
The Homeless corporate colour pallet was used alongside softer natural tones, textures and materials to soften the feel.
work settings
The scheme created a series of different work settings designed to suit the different ways that the staff work.
There are open ‘easy seating’ meeting areas, and ‘chat benches’ with high bar stools where staff can get away from their work stations for small group discussions.
work settings
There are various types of setting for informal meetings either close to or away from their team benches. Some of these central areas are partially enclosed with translucent screens.
Meeting booths
There are bookable meeting booths, adjacent to each department. These are also used as ‘drop-in’ work places for visiting staff, and for more concentrated work that needs top be undertaken away from the team benches.
Breakfast / briefing bench
There is a central ‘breakfast briefing’ bench, where teams can gather for a coffee and discuss their objectives for the day, and alongside this there is a small lounge area for more relaxed discussions.
Meeting rooms
For presentations, or meetings that require quiet or privacy, there is a formal ‘boardroom’, a suite of flexible meeting rooms and there are five cellular executive offices.
Espresso bar
There is a small kitchenette and ‘espresso bar’ adjacent to the reception area and meeting room suite.
Staff restaurant and play room
There is full staff restaurant and a play room with a pool table, table football and large screen for on-line gaming.