When MRI Software (previously Orchard Information Services) took the decision to move their offices from the Technopole to the Central Square in Newcastle, they turned to Amos Beech again for workplace consultancy regarding the interior design and office fit out of their new location.

Any refurbishment and office fit out project in Newcastle has 4 steps:

1. Research

This is partly done by the client and partly done by the interior design team. Together, we have to answer a few questions.

What works for the office space and what doesn’t (based on the company’s needs and on those of the employees)? What are the space limitations (those perfect office chairs may be too big for some areas)? What is your long-term growth plan (scalability is very important)? How is technology helping or hampering the refurbishment and fit out?

2. Budgeting

Of course, office refurbishment costs per square metre vary a lot depending on what the client wants. The costs can be tweaked a lot, but there are some areas that are set in stone. The right Newcastle refurbishment company can help you identify the areas and item that leave wiggle room and get you the best costs without sacrificing the outcome.

The best results in terms of both outcome and budgets happen when you work closely together with your office refurbishment and fit-out specialists. They are part of your team and you have to trust them enough to know that your best outcome is their best outcome. Be honest about your budget and about your needs.

3. Project Plan

As soon as the details are agreed upon, the client receives the office fit out and refurbishment project plan. This document contains an outline of what the office will look like as soon as the work is completed.

For the client, this is one of the last stages in which they can ask for changes without seriously affecting the final office refurbishment cost. In our project with MRI, the project plan was the result of close collaboration, so we had minimal changes to make after the client review.

4. Building, Installations and Review

After the office refurbishment and fit-out specialists work their magic and everything is in place, the client is ready to move in. But this doesn’t mean that the work is done for the designers and technicians.

We always ask our clients to review the changes and tell us how they feel in their newly refurbished office. This way, it’s easy to deal with minor creases early on.

The entire process is, of course, more complicated. But these are the stages where the client is most involved.

Furniture and technology

Integral to this was their desire to move their existing workstations which had been supplied by Amos Beech previously and complement them with a bench desk system that would manage the large volume of data and electrical cabling that their development teams needed.

Using Samuel Bruce TeamTable as a starting point and developing a specific product that met the needs of MRI Newcastle was all in a days work for the product design team. By utilising the unit construction of the system a solution was developed that allows all sides of the bench to be worked from without intrusion from legs, support rails or cable management.

All data and power is perfectly integrated beneath the desk and an on desk grommet offering power and USB charging points make it extremely easy for staff to stay connected without the usual tangle of cables.

Interior design, office fit out and refurbishment Newcastle Upon Tyne 

The scheme isn’t just about desks and task chairs – in todays ‘smart office’ break-out spaces and meeting booths all form an integral part of a ‘knowledge business’ and MRI Newcastle has plenty. Collaboration spaces are fully fitted with power and data points, staff can choose where they work and who they are working with. Flexibility and communication along with a relaxed homely feel to the office interiors makes this space in Newcastle so much more than a workplace. Maybe even a home from home – although the staff might never admit that too readily to their partners who wish they would spend more time at home!

• Publication date: March 21st 2016

• Text: Roy James

• Interior photography: Jill Tate

Amos Beech: working with businesses in Newcastle Upon Tyne on a wide range of office fit out and refurbishment projects: