Wates Leatherhead

Wates Group HQ

Leatherhead, UK

When one of the UK’s largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies, the Wates Group embarked on the refurbishment of its head office, it called upon Boss Design’s expertise in workplace design solutions. Following a period of significant growth for the business, the Wates Group was looking to consolidate its London offices. This included re-establishing the business’ head office in Leatherhead, Surrey as its main hub by providing employees with a flexible, collaborative and private working environment, all in time for the Wates Group to be presented with the Queens Award for Enterprise for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, for the second consecutive time.

Meeting Requirements

Given that modern, contemporary, and high-quality furniture was a primary requirement for this project - together with a good supply relationship and ability to offer a furniture design solution at competitive value - Boss Design was the perfect choice and supported the refurbishment with an emphasis on quality, value, environmental sustainability and staff well-being.

Committed to its philosophy that good workplace design centres on creating habitats to support workers in all their activities and corresponding surroundings, Boss Design supplied a comprehensive range of furniture to meet the requirements of various settings. These included; office environments, formal meetings, collaboration, flexible meetings, and breakout areas. In addition, Boss Design’s furniture was specified in the building’s atrium, restaurant, and reception.

Modern Methods of Working

Designed to support modern methods of working, the furniture specified in the main offices included high-performance Q task chairs, together with Agent high tables and stools for collaborative tasks, and Arthur high backed booths for breakout areas and smaller meetings. A variety of coloured upholstery also helped to distinguish between the different departments. The reception area features Raft seating and Q task chairs, with a higher raised level featuring both the Marnie and Layla armchairs and Cuba coffee tables.

It was important for Wates to make the most of its reception area and restaurant space as multi-functional areas for working, socialising and refuelling. As a result, Boss Design supplied Agent dining tables and benches for the restaurant, together with Loop chairs and high stools. Raft booth seating also provides added comfort and privacy, as well as additional meeting space. Complete with integral power points, the restaurant is now a dynamic hub throughout the workday and provides a compelling new way to generate energy.

Wates

Environmental

In addition to furnishing multiple settings, Boss Design helped to maximise workspace occupancy, re-enforce Wates branding throughout the building, and ensure the furniture offered excellent value and cost savings without compromising the original interior or quality of the product. Furthermore, Boss Design’s detailed recycled content and recyclability for every product fully supported Wates’ impressive environmental and sustainability ethos.

Cyrille Ragasa, Site Surveyor at Wates, explains:

“We were looking for a high-end furniture designer and manufacturer that could provide us with a good product, without compromising on design. Boss Design was chosen for its sustainability credentials, values, history of good client relationships and excellent furniture options.

“It was important to us that the suppliers we selected were committed to upholding the reputation and values of the Wates brand and for this to be reflected in the final install. Boss Design has impressive environmental and CSR commitments and were the right fit from the start. We are extremely happy with the finished result.”

Oliver Ronald, Sales Director, at Boss Design comments:

"Having worked in partnership with Wates supplying furniture for some of their major corporate and retail clients in the past, we were delighted to have been appointed to supply workplace solutions for its own head office refurbishment."

“We are particularly proud to have been able to support Wates in delivering its sustainability, environmental and CSR commitments, contributing to their SKA assessment Silver award. Our solutions were also endorsed by Dr. Zainab Dangana, Research and Development Manager at the Wates Group and a leading figure in the field of sustainable technologies.”