Office refurbishment for Cullen Property
The client first approached Amos Beech in Summer 2024 when a feasibility study was completed for a potential new office for the team in Edinburgh. After which the decision was made to extend their lease on their current basement and ground floor premises and refurbish this space to create an improved workplace environment for the staff.
The ground floor was improved to comprise two working office spaces along with a new quiet room/office and welcome area. Previously as there was no reception, visitors often wandered into the main office unsure where to wait. We created a small sofa/coffee table zone as a waiting area and enhanced this small but high space by painting the ceiling and upper walls out a soft, dark blue. This had the effect of creating a more comfortable calm space which was furnished with halo feature lighting.
The importance of the Cullen Property brand was highlighted with a new back lit logo and the colours used throughout the space, a mix of warm, muted versions of blues, reds and golds.
The quiet room/office was previously a meeting space but with limited natural light and it being another small but high-ceilinged space it wasn’t a comfortable place to be. We again played on this and painted the ceiling and upper walls and lowered the lighting creating a more intimate atmosphere with floor lamps to soften the focus. This room can be used as an office, quiet room or for small meetings and 1-2-1s.
Painted ceilings and linear LED lights
In the office spaces we continued the theme and painted out ceilings and upper walls but in a warm grey tone. This adds the comfort of a lowered ceiling without being too dark and linear LED lights replaced old reflector light panels to make these spaces more suitable for concentrated work. The lights were placed at angles to mimic the organic shapes of the desks and add interest to these spaces.
The teams come together in ‘Trios’ to look after various property portfolios across the City of Edinburgh. This way of working became a focus when selecting the new furniture and organic shaped 120-degree workstations were proposed. This meant Trios sit together as a group, facing each other which works as a practical solution to how the teams operate and allows for better social communication.
Under desk pedestals were replaced with lockers to allow flexible desk positioning which suits the team’s hybrid working model. The lockers have integrated planters to introduce biophilia to the space. Quality replica plants allow the motivational and productivity benefits from greenery without the difficulty of care and allergens.
The basement level was reconfigured to create a new open plan galley kitchen, one working office space and one multi-use collaboration space. The new kitchen allows more space for food/drinks preparation and makes this area feel much larger than before.
The multi-use space is separated into zones with clever use of furniture. One large meeting table sits at the back of the room almost hidden from view by high back sofas which create another breakout/meeting area. Another round table doubles up for meetings or lunchtime dining. The aim was to give the team a space away from their desk that can be utilised in a variety of ways. The colours in this space reflect the reception and quiet room above which defines them as different from the main workspaces.
Overall, with intelligent furniture and colour choices the Cullen Property office has been transformed and feels like a different space. The way a space feels is about more than aesthetics; it’s also about atmosphere. Changing the lighting can boost mood and productivity in one area and soften other areas, while carefully chosen colour palettes can enhance brand whilst energising or calming depending on the task at hand. Strike the balance right and you have a workplace that staff are happy to be a part of and the company can be proud of.
Published: 15 April 2025
Text: Deborah McAulay
A new office layout for Natural Power aligning changing occupancy rates
Natural Power are the pioneers of positive renewable change. Natural Power provide expert advice and specialist services, to support their clients in delivering safe, clean, reliable, and competitive low-carbon projects.
Working from home
Post-Covid19 Natural Power, along with many other companies re-evaluated how their workplace was being utilised. Although staff numbers were still high, in fact on the increase, the Stirling office was never fully occupied due to the percentage of home working now taking place across the teams.
The decision was taken to retain the larger of the two wings of the First Floor (Ochil 2), when previously they had occupied the entire floor plate. Amos Beech’s services were engaged to help with the design and fit-out of the new space following the success of the 2021 refurbishment.
The Ochil 2 wing, despite being the largest did not house most of the meeting facilities available to Natural Power, the majority of which including their boardroom were housed in Ochil 1. They were also forgoing a lot of storage space, all of which would now need to be incorporated in the new design of the retaining wing.
A complete re-plan of the space
This meant a complete re-plan of the space whilst being mindful of the desks already present, none of which the client wanted to lose. The decision was made to open up the kitchen/breakout space and include the welcome area within this communal zone. This became the hub of the office and has created a vibrant buzz as you enter the office. Clever branding welcomes you on entry to the Natural Power space and adds colour to the walls.
A new boardroom and four varying sizes meeting rooms were constructed in the corners of the workspace. This retained the central open plan area as the main workspace with collaboration zones. In addition, a new large storage/print room and a wellbeing room were also created. This gives the staff benefits that they didn’t have previously, despite having a larger office.
The balance of this project was all about retaining as much as possible from the earlier fit-out whilst enhancing the space and really bringing it to life using branding and colour. The new meeting rooms now have glazed fronts which lets the natural light flow throughout the space but also allows a connection to the office and a surface for branded manifestation. The oak doors bring in a warmth and suite with the existing furniture.
Overall, despite it being a smaller space Natural Power have ended up with a better planned space which is more suited to their current requirements. It has become a more collaborative, team-based workplace where employees can thrive. The aim as always is to make the office a happier place to be by creating better surroundings for people to enjoy working in.
Natural Power and Amos Beech have been on a journey together over the last few years and it is an exciting place to be, working alongside a company at the forefront of a flourishing industry, bringing the design and spaces that support their business to life!
Published: 5 February 2025
Text: Deborah McAulay
Photography: Photographer Stirling
A modern, functional space for Carrington Dean
Carrington Dean, a leading debt solutions provider, recently approached us to refurbish and reconfigure two floors of their Glasgow office. They needed a modern, functional space that reflected their evolving brand and catered to their operational needs. Our team at Amos Beech was excited to take on the challenge, focusing on sustainability, cost-efficiency, and design excellence.
Sustainable Design with Existing Furniture
To manage costs and minimise waste, we worked extensively with Carrington Dean’s existing furniture. By repurposing and integrating these pieces into the new design, we were able to deliver a fresh look while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.
There was chosen for an angled desk layout, to create space between the tea prep/copier wall and the desk users sitting next to it. This gives more privacy and reduces distraction. It also allows the desks to be in the Team groups by fitting a bank of ten desks between the column and the meeting room corner. An aesthetic benefit is that the space feels less like a classroom. The carpet pattern followed, which leads you into the room and towards the feature back wall.
Angled desk layout
Key Office Refurbishment Design Elements
The project encompassed a range of upgrades to bring the office in line with Carrington Dean’s new branding:
New Flooring: We installed carpet tiles chosen to complement the updated colour scheme and improve the office's acoustics and comfort.
Decoration: Fresh coats of paint and updated finishes were applied throughout, aligning with Carrington Dean's brand colours and enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Feature Wall Panelling: We introduced striking acoustic feature walls that tie in beautifully with the carpet colours, adding depth and visual interest to the space.
Electrical Works: We carried out electrical modifications to accommodate the new furniture locations, ensuring seamless integration with the existing infrastructure.
New Collaboration Furniture: We added new pieces designed for collaboration, fostering a dynamic environment conducive to teamwork and innovation.
The Result:
One of the most notable transformations is the feature wall panelling, which works in harmony with the new flooring to create a cohesive, modern look. This, combined with the refreshed decoration, has significantly uplifted the space, making it more vibrant and engaging for the Carrington Dean team.
Our holistic approach ensured that every aspect of the refurbishment met Carrington Dean’s needs while reflecting their brand identity. The result is a revitalised workspace that not only looks impressive but also functions efficiently, providing an inspiring environment for their employees.
This project is a testament to our commitment to delivering tailored office solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.
Published: 16 January 2025
Design, Build, Text and Photography: Amos Beech