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
