Showcase visitor centre for James Jones in Lockerbie
James Jones are considered to be one of the most innovative & efficient timber processors in Europe. Through 5 generations of family ownership the business has grown by constant reinvestment and acquisition to become the UK’s largest privately owned sawmill, timber engineering & pallet manufacturing company.
Amos Beech have been a trusted supplier to James Jones for over 15 years, providing space planning, interior design and furniture to the head office team in Larbert. So we were the obvious choice to go for inspiration when furnishing their new showcase visitor building at their flagship site - Lockerbie Sawmill – one of the largest, most advanced wood processing facilities in Europe
Bespoke office furniture for Lockerbie Sawmill office & visitor meeting rooms
Respecting the award winning building, designed by Konishi Gaffney Architects from Edinburgh, was paramount to proposing the office furniture. Like the building, the furniture was designed to meet the client’s needs and celebrate one of nature’s most valuable assets – timber.
The design ethos for the building was to be stylish and striking, but at the same time thoughtful and not grandiose, thus the bespoke office furniture is simple, understated, and of high quality. Desks with black metal frames echo the glass partitions, oak desk legs and pen trays reflect the engineered oak floor, and metal silver storage and greys complete the contemporary aesthetic.
The reception desk is a bespoke item manufactured using James Jones timbers with a black Fenix top.
Bespoke timber reception desk
Stylish and striking design ethos, thoughtful and not grandiose
The Meeting Room table is also bespoke, designed to display a band saw blade within the structure. Internal lighting illuminates the sawteeth and the table incorporates audio visual presentation equipment.
The first floor conference room is a flexible multi-function space with stacking oak visitor chairs, upholstered in the James Jones corporate green, and oak folding tables.
With panoramic top floor views over the sawmill, the ambience of the building is completed by Tom R Bruce-Jones’s privately commissioned showpiece - a large crystal glass chainsaw sculpture.
Speaking about the building, Rob MacKenna, general manager at James Jones Lockerbie site, said:
“We are really pleased with the new building. The striking design and innovative use of solid and engineered timber products are a great example of how timber can be used to deliver high quality office and meeting areas. The main meeting room has been positioned to achieve a stunning view across the Stevens Croft site, enabling visitors to view part of our operations from the comfort of this space. We look forward to a time when we can welcome back groups of visitors and host them in this fantastic new facility.”
Published: 2nd November 2021
Text & Photography: The Amos Beech Team
Office redesign for UK Steel Enterprise in Bellshill, Lanarkshire
UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) is helping the economic regeneration of communities affected by changes in the steel industry. It is a private equity and venture capital firm specialising in investments in incubation, start up, early stage, expansion finance, growth capital, and management buyouts and buy-ins in small and medium enterprises.
The firm provides investment for working capital, equipment purchase, premises, and relocations. Additionally, it offers business loans to help companies grow their businesses. The firm typically seeks to invest in manufacturing, business to business services, technology based businesses, steel areas, and consumer durables and apparels.
Prior to the launch of their new branding in October this year, UK Steel Enterprise approached Amos Beech to give their Bellshill base at Strathclyde Business Park, Lanarkshire a design refresh. The priority being to create a ‘wow’ factor to the main atrium space and to introduce a social space for all tenants to share. The conference room and UKSE offices also received an interior upgrade.
Office Redesign Strathclyde Business Park, Bellshill Lanarkshire
Large suspended feature lights illuminate the new atrium and the introduction of ash timber wall cladding adds warmth and aids the acoustics to this double height space. A large picture window formed to create a visual connection between the social space and the atrium also doubles as a window seat and allows the atrium to become a more useable space - somewhere for people to perch whist waiting or on a call. A muted palette of contemporary colours and materials instantly makes the space more welcoming and appealing.
Artimide feature lighting
Window seat
The rear corridor has been transformed by new lighting, flooring, decoration and artwork. Corner wrapped way-finding signage now gives clear direction to each of the leased suites; a benefit to both tenants and visitors to the space. The clean, modern look is also mirrored in the first floor corridor.
Social space
The social space has been designed to have a completely different look and feel to the traditional office. Warm, deep tones complete the almost homely interior which is split into a meeting area, lounge and sit-up poseur bar. The range of office furniture complements the concept with timber finishes, comfortable seating and the introduction of biophilia.
“We, as humans have a deep rooted attraction towards nature. The presence of plants is also known to reduce stress, enrich physical health and improve comfort. Additionally the notion of comforts has many indirect experiences with nature to achieve biophilia, such as simulating natural light and air: they must be appropriate to each setting to help ensure functional well being at work.”
Acoustic ceiling tiles have been added above the meeting table to aid the absorption of sound and a visual barrier created with an ash timber screen which mimics the atrium cladding. Open storage with planting surrounds the space to keep it separate but still create an informal open ideal.
New office furniture, decoration and branding to UKSE’s office and reception brings the space up to date and in line with the atrium. The warm, muted palette continues into the shared conference room. The end result delivers the ‘wow’ factor the client was hoping for and makes the refreshed offices more appealing to potential tenants in the Glasgow area.
Text: Deborah McAulay
Photography: Vincent Hartman
Showroom office space for Envipco in Newbridge
Ahead of the launch of the Scottish Government’s new deposit return scheme, Envipco needed an office from which they could showcase their products to retailers in Scotland. Conveniently located close to Edinburgh airport and Scotland Food & Drink offices in Newbridge, they secured a bright and airy space that required a complete office refurbishment with an Interior Design scheme that reflected their environmentally friendly business model.
Showroom office space for Envipco in Newbridge
Working with the Amos Beech Interior Designers over video calls (the Envipco head office is in America) they were able to share their vision for the space and we were able to interpret it in the built environment.
Flexibility was key in getting the design right given that this is their first UK office and they were keen to ensure that all of the potential use case scenarios could be accommodated.
Using finishes and surface textures along with graphics to tell the Envipco story the finished interior is an inspirational space for colleagues and customers alike. Careful selection of furniture items that are either 100% recyclable or already made from recycled plastic materials adds to the design ethos for a sustainable and futureproof space.
As is usually the case, deadlines were tight and a co-ordinated effort was required to ensure the opening date was met. This only highlights the benefits of the Amos Beech approach to office design & build. By bringing the full service under one roof and having all trades co-ordinated and answerable to our Project Manager, we are able to deliver on-time, on-budget projects. Our clients have the peace of mind that their work is being completed to the correct standards and they are able to continue their day-to-day business without having to spend time chasing trades and worrying that deadlines will be missed.
