March 21, 2022

New future of work initiative will embrace uncertainty and escape binary thinking

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Flexible working

With so much uncertainty around the future of work in 2022, confusion and noise about the workplace, Everything Omni is launching a new way to deal with the current challenges, by inviting everyone to co-create better ways in navigating the confusion in the ever-changing working environment. Everything Omni is a unique concept offering a holistic, multi-dimensional approach to current workplace issues and the future of work. It is an independent entity giving everyone the opportunity to discover what exists beyond the binary options currently being discussed in the workplace arena. More →

March 18, 2022

Bisley Hideaway will maximise your working from home space

by Freddie Steele • Company news

As we adapt to a new way of working, whether it be working from home (WFH) full-time, or hybrid working, now is the time to reassess our home office setup to ensure it works for us – day in, day out. Building on the success of its Belong collection designed specifically for home working, the Bisley Hideaway is designed to suit homes where space is at a premium. The firm has also introduced a new Swing Desk to its Hideaway range, to help you create a multipurpose yet well-organised workspace. More →

March 18, 2022

Instant Group adds virtual office provider to flex space offering

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Property

Flex office provider The Instant Group has merged Davinci Virtual Office Solutions into its online marketplace for flexible workplace. Last week, Instant announced the creation of what it claims is the world’s largest independent marketplace for flexible workspace through the merger with key digital assets from IWG plc including: EasyOffices.com, Meetingo.com, Rovva and Worka. More →

March 17, 2022

Co-living ideas explored in Davidson Prize longlist

by Neil Franklin • Company news, Flexible working

The judges of the 2022 Davidson Prize have selected a longlist of 14 teams. Responding to this year’s theme of Co-Living – A New Future, the longlisted teams represent diverse and exciting collaborative approaches to transforming the architecture of the home. The Davidson Prize is a design ideas and communication prize established in 2021 in memory of architectural visualisation pioneer Alan Davidson. Following the success of the inaugural Prize last year, in 2022 teams made up of architects working collaboratively with other disciplines were asked to consider whether current notions of home in the UK are keeping step with the 21st century. More →

March 16, 2022

IVC Commercial offer brand identity and practicality at new offices of Plastribution

by Freddie Steele • Company news

Plastribution, a UK based distributor of plastics and raw materials, recently moved into new offices and called upon Blueprint Interiors to design a practical space that reflected its brand through colours. Across 1,000m sq.m. of space, a range of flooring solutions from IVC Commercial have been used. In the main desking areas, Art Style and Art Fields carpet planks have been installed in a range of colours that reflect Plastribution’s colourful and vibrant brand identity. Bright tones of yellow, cyan and magenta have been contrasted with circles of charcoal grey for a look that is energetic yet professional. More →

March 10, 2022

NewFlex appointed to run incubator and innovation space at 22 Bishopsgate

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Property

NewFlex, an operator of flexible offices and “space-as-a-service” solutions with fifty sites across the UK, has been appointed to curate and manage the incubator and innovation workspace community at the landmark London office 22 Bishopsgate. To be known as The Exchange (branded as XCHG) and specifically targeting start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, the c.14,000 sq ft flexible office and co-working space on level seven will be NewFlex’s most significant space as-a-service project to date, aiming to create a bespoke environment that fosters innovation. More →

March 1, 2022

Office furniture giant Flokk acquires Connection, doubling footprint in UK

by Mark Eltringham • Company news, Workplace design

Flokk, one of the leading European manufacturers of office seating and office furniture products, has acquired UK-based office furniture manufacturer Connection, expanding its footprint in the strategically important UK market and underpinning its international growth strategy. “Having Connection join the Flokk group moves us into the major league of Europe’s second-largest office seating market. We roughly double our size to about EUR 30 million in the key UK market. The transaction is another example of Flokk continuing to consolidate the fragmented European office seating market through targeted and value-creating acquisitions of attractive companies and brands,” says Lars I. Røiri, CEO of Flokk. More →

March 1, 2022

Mindspace signs up for two new locations in Berlin

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Property

Flexible office provider Mindspace has announced it will occupy 7,000 square meters of office space, a lobby and several roof terraces in Berlin’s FÜRST. The landlord for the project is the FÜRST Projektgesellschaft. The premises are part of the first construction phase of the district development, which was already completed in October 2020 on Berlin’s well-known Kurfürstendammwith a total of 19,000 square meters of commercial space and an additional parking garage with more than 500 parking spaces. In addition, Mindspace has also announced the appointment of its new global VP of Real Estate and Projects, Ana Nekhamkin.

The FÜRST Projektgesellschaft is developing a site of 20,000 square meters in the prime Kurfürstendamm location in an area that extends over 97,000 square meters of commercial rental space for retail, office, lifestyle and art. Based on the design of the architectural firm Kleihues + Kleihues, in addition to the revitalisation of an entire block, a new public square will be created for Berlin’s City West.

With Ku’damm being one of the most important shopping streets in Germany, Mindspace secures yet another flex office of over 7,000 square meters in a AAA Berlin location.

Besides FÜRST, Mindspace is opening a second new location in Berlin on Zimmerstraße, which marks the 10th German location for the company. The two new locations in Kurfürstendamm and Zimmerstraße are scheduled to open in July 2022 and both will be close in proximity to the three existing Mindspace offices on Berlin’s Friedrichstraße, Skalitzer Straße and Krausenstraße (pictured).

The new Mindspace Zimmerstraße can be found at the historic border of the Berlin Wall and covers 4,500 square meters on eight floors.

“Germany is a key market for Mindspace and our expansion in Berlin is one of the many to come. Currently our occupancy rate in Germany is over 95 percent and in some cities, even more. Mindspace is on a path of growth and we’re excited to have such great partners by our side for the journey,” says Oliver Lehmann, General Manager Mindspace Germany.

Mindspace currently operates 32 locations in 17 cities, and following their recent funding of $72 million of equity capital, the company is following through on its promise to continue expanding its proven offerings to meet the high demand. A significant part of the expansion is planned for Germany, and specifically Berlin as it’s a hub for startups, tech companies and creatives.

February 28, 2022

The Workplace Event announces speaker line up

by Jayne Smith • Company news, Events

The Workplace Event has announced its comprehensive conference agenda with renowned industry speakers across three days. Keynote speakers include Geoff White, investigative journalist, author and broadcaster, and technology correspondent for Channel 4 News: Cally Beaton (pictured), comedian writer and business mentor; and Jonny Jacobs, finance director EMEA at Starbucks and Trustee of the Mental Health Foundation. Each day of the conference will take a different theme: technology, future of the workplace and wellbeing. More →

February 24, 2022

The Workplace Event launches annual Workplace Data Census

by Neil Franklin • Company news, Technology

The Workplace Event has launched a Workplace Data Census, in partnership with Accruent, designed to develop a better understanding about the access, use and value of data, and the opportunities and challenges it presents. The Workplace Event’s Workplace Data Census dives deep into the current usage and output of data. The results of the survey will map how organisations are capturing and utilising the various data opportunities in today’s workplaces and develop a robust understanding of the value placed on it by business leaders. More →

February 21, 2022

ORGATEC TOKYO premiere already fully booked

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Workplace design

As an spin-off of the leading trade fair ORGATEC in Cologne, ORGATEC TOKYO promises a full-flavoured start to the ORGATEC year 2022. More than 80 leading brands will be showcasing their products and services at the inaugural ORGATEC TOKYO event, which runs from 26 to 28 April. Around six weeks before ORGATEC Tokyo opens its doors, the trade fair has already chalked up its first success: the entire Tokyo Big Sight, South Halls 1+2 exhibition space set aside for ORGATEC Tokyo is now fully booked. Leading brands such as Kokuyo, Okamura, Itoki, Uchida, Plus, Karimoku, Knoll, Wilkhahn, USM, UniFor, Kvadrat, Arper (pictured), Cassina and Häfele have confirmed they will be present. More →

February 20, 2022

The rise of DBS checks in the modern workplace

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Workplace

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are becoming an increasingly common requirement. More and more industries are realising their utility, for important functions such as increasing the safety of the workplace, and protecting the broader interests of the brand. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the causes behind the rise of DBS checks, to help employers and employees alike better understand their importance. More specifically, we outline the importance of such checks in a modern work environment, and their place in a society which is ever-conscious about the role of privacy. Let’s explore further. More →