Altecnic approached us to support the fit out of their new office in Stafford, following significant investment in the site. The objective was to create a modern workspace, by supplying high quality office furniture that would encourage staff to embrace the move while also reflecting the expectations of their Italian stakeholders.
Initial conversations were led by the client, who shared layout drawings from their principal contractor, Overbury. From there, they asked us to help make the best use of the space to comfortably accommodate 65 staff.
They wanted the new office to feel high quality, not just for their team, but also for visiting stakeholders from Italy, who had a strong vision for a premium workspace following significant investment in the site. A key part of Simon’s vision was creating an environment that felt modern, spacious, and fit for the future of the business.
In our early meetings with Simon and Steve, we were briefed on the wider fit out works already underway. From this, we developed furniture concepts that would complement the overall design.
To bring these ideas to life, we proposed a clean, modern rendered design using white and Nordic oak, paired with bold accent colours like red and blue to tie in with their branding. These worked alongside their existing green and grey scheme to create a cohesive look throughout the office.
We then conducted a site visit, at a stage where the building didn’t even have staircases installed… this gave us a good feel for the space. Despite the challenges, we were able to map out key zones, including central collaboration areas and quieter spaces for focused desk work.
A major priority throughout the design was ensuring staff didn’t feel cramped. To achieve this, we designed the layout around 1800mm wide desks, carefully spaced to strike the right balance between openness and team interaction.
At the same time, we looked for opportunities to make better use of every part of the office. Corridor alcoves and high traffic areas were transformed with bespoke joinery for storage, including lockers and coat storage for both office and warehouse staff. This not only reduced wasted space but also supported cycle to work initiatives by giving people a practical place to store their gear.
Reflecting their Italian ownership, individual offices were also created for managers, following a more traditional workplace structure. To elevate these spaces, we installed Calder executive desks, giving each office a strong sense of presence and quality.
With the design agreed, the focus then shifted to how we could deliver the project efficiently and sustainably.
During our review of their existing office, we identified that the desk frames were still in great condition. Rather than replacing everything, we suggested reusing these frames and supplying new desktop surfaces.
To make this work, we removed and measured an existing top to ensure all 6mm insert positions would align correctly. This approach not only saved the client tens of thousands of pounds but also significantly reduced waste, this is something that aligned with the overall ethos of the project.
Reusing the frames did, however, mean we needed to carefully manage the relocation process. Over the course of a week, we coordinated the move by packing down desks one day and reinstalling them the next. This meant each staff member only needed to work from home for a single day, keeping disruption to a minimum.
All of this needed to be delivered within a tight timeframe, as Altecnic had already agreed a handover date with the incoming tenant, General Electric. To meet this deadline, we had a team of 4-6 fitters on site each day, working closely with their IT team to ensure desks were ready and operational as soon as possible.
With everything in place, the project was completed on schedule and ready for handover.
Following completion, we caught up with Simon and Gary after the official opening, where global stakeholders had visited the site. Feedback was extremely positive, with both senior management and corporate guests impressed with the result.
In particular, the acoustic sofa booths stood out, introducing a more relaxed and collaborative way for teams to meet something that’s already proving valuable for creative and informal meetings & coffee breaks.
Overall, the project delivered exactly what Altecnic set out to achieve: a modern, high-quality workspace that supports their team, reflects their brand, and positions them well for the future.
It’s been a real pleasure working with Simon and the wider Altecnic team throughout this project. We appreciate the trust they placed in us and look forward to continuing to support them as the business grows.
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