In The Beginning...
When Harbour Shipping decided to build brand new headquarters near the freight terminal at Dover, we were asked by the management team if we could be involved and help with the design and planning at a very early stage, which was about three months before any of the foundations were laid, and a full fifteen months until completion. During this phase, we worked closely with the client team, together with the architects, contractors, and their IT manager to ensure that all the workplace furniture would not only be suitable for their medium and long term needs, it was also important to plan ahead so that mains power and data cabling was not only present in all the right places, but it was also placed well out of sight, leading to a discrete and incredibly sleek well-planned project from the outset.
Getting Involved...
Our early involvement allowed us to give professional M&E and space planning advice to all contractors. At one stage, we suggested a small and minimal cost, yet incredibly impactful redrawing of wall layouts, were we created the opportunity for two stunning floor-to-ceiling high-capacity store-wall units to be installed, all without compromising useable space. These proved to be invaluable as high-capacity cloak cupboards, keeping everything tidy and well-organised, and preventing unsightly coats being hung on the back of chairs. Spread over two floors, the project included three meeting rooms, two large open-plan office spaces, a modern cafeteria-style kitchen, and sleek glazed managers offices, alongside several break-out spaces that were conveniently placed: Perfect for small-scale group chats and informal, one-to-one meetings.
Building on brand values…
Incorporating the blue and white signature colours of the Harbour branding throughout, we balanced these primaries with natural light wood elements to give some visual warmth to the rooms, which helped create a sleek, contemporary finish. Sustainable and ethical choices were also central to the design, including the specification of high-quality, carbon-neutral carpet tiles which all helped to reinforce the company’s positive CSR messaging and underpin their ongoing commitment to a low-impact environmental carbon footprint. The management team were keen to provide a working environment that would accommodate a variety of modern working styles, from collaborative zones and managerial offices to quiet ‘focus’ spaces and private workstations ensuring that agile and flexible working could be accommodated from the very start; It’s a real testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire project team who adopted a no-compromise ‘can-do’ attitude towards getting even the smallest of details right, which means that long after the design and planning work finished, the Harbour Shipping project will continue to provide an incredibly comfortable and inviting workspace environment for many years to come.
Finished…
The end result is a modern, functional and stylish headquarters for Harbour Shipping and by being involved and shaping the project from its earliest stages, we’ve helped to deliver a workplace that is fully aligned with the client’s brand, values and objectives.
From the very outset, we knew this would have to be a very special project – One that would be able to support an incredibly diverse range of working styles whilst also providing an incredibly welcoming workspace environment that visitors will love, and where valued employees will thrive, and be inspired to do great work, each and every day!
Customer Testimonial...
“As always, your incredible attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile is greatly appreciated and once again,
it has resulted in a very satisfied customer! Well done, it looks great and thanks so much for all your efforts!”
