KI helps to create agile, flexible workspace at Paramount Pictures’ UK HQ ⁰

KI has helped film production giant Paramount Pictures create an agile, flexible new workspace at their stunning new UK headquarters. Drenched in natural light, the offices offer staff and visitors views over the adjacent green space and lake, as well as sweeping views across London. Spread across two floors at Chiswick Park, the offices also accommodate the team of Paramount subsidiary United International Pictures. Working alongside office furniture supplier Rapid Office, Paramount Pictures selected KI’s UK designed and manufactured workstations, tables, storage, workwalls and breakout screening, enhanced by a palette of 12 colours from Camira’s Lucia fabric range. The vibrant combination of blues, purples, greens and beige have been used to differentiate departments.

Incorporating a balanced approach to worker wellbeing, organisational culture and budget, the new facilities also needed to mirror Paramount’s brand identity while also setting the stage for the team to thrive. This is why adaptability and ease of reconfiguration was a core requirement within Paramount’s workplace strategy, in order to support project-based working. Staff from various departments come together to work on a particular film release, creating temporary clusters which will disperse and reform around the next project. True to its ‘market of one’ philosophy, KI adapted its Work2 Sit-Stand single desk to meet Paramount’s unique requirements. A modified, leg-mounted screen which doubles as a modesty panel was engineered, allowing these standalone single desks to be used in any location around the floor, conveniently forming back-to-back rows of benches, whenever and wherever required.

Mark Furmston, Facilities Manager at Paramount Pictures UK comments: “The nature of film releases creates an unusual, dynamic way of working at Paramount Pictures. This raises a number of interesting challenges for our workplace strategy – traditional space planning, power supply and furniture design had to be reassessed in order to facilitate this hybrid of fixed and highly reconfigurable office landscapes. Working together with Rapid Office and KI, we were able to achieve our vision for a modern office, fit for purpose and on brand. In addition to looking great, the new offices enhance our team’s wellbeing, which is important for our employer branding, both now and into the future.”

These desks were specified in a combination of retrofittable fixed height and powered sit-stand versions, allowing Paramount to upgrade extra desks in situ, to full sit-stand capability gradually over time. Some have been fitted with returns, and KI’s 800 Series mobile pedestals have been specified to provide personal storage in the agile environment. Executive office areas feature workwalls with overhead storage, 800 Series pedestals and cupboards, and Work2 Sit-Stand desks with modesty panels. Finished in dark walnut and white, these spaces are elegant and complement the views over nature outside the generous glazed exterior of the building.

Mark Furmston continues: “The future-proofing capability of KI’s Work2 Sit-Stand was a particularly interesting attribute for us. Being able to retrofit rather than replace our workstations to provide full sit-stand functionality, one desk at a time, will help us spread the cost of this investment. It will also allow us to provide it on a case by case basis to those who wish to benefit from this kind of agile working.”

Punctuating the open plan workspace is KI’s Breakout, a stackable modular third space system, used as wrap screening around printers. Enhancing acoustic planning and aesthetics, these units also complement the desk screens of their associated departments, breaking up the neutral landscape with bursts of colour. Drawers and cupboards from KI’s 800 Series Storage are also located at the end of desk rows and throughout the space, providing extra general storage.

Meet4 column base tables were selected for meeting rooms and collaborative spaces, including social hubs where staff and visitors alike can come together. They provide the perfect collaborative platform for impromptu, short term gatherings.

Andrew Cheek, Sales Account Manager, Rapid Office says: “Having a reliable, experienced local manufacturing partner was essential to deliver the right solution for Paramount Pictures. Rapid Office has worked with KI on numerous projects over the years, each of which have benefited from their unique collaborative approach to product development, as well as efficient installation and ongoing customer service. As a leading office furniture supplier, we always feel confident that KI will be able to help us get it right for our customers.”

David Venables, KI’s Sales Director – Workplace, concludes: “This project is a great example of how KI works with its customers to create a tailored, unique solution, that can help deliver a happy, healthy, high performing working environment. Paramount’s workplace strategy has produced an office landscape that not only is aesthetically pleasing but also champions staff wellbeing by providing a variety of productive work settings, perfectly suited to their unique working culture.”