LEONI WIRING SYSTEMS

Office Refurbishment Project

The Client's Brief

LEONI are a global provider of wiring systems to the automotive industry sought our experience to create market-leading premises for their market-leading staff, showcasing how important they are to the business in the process. A key objective was to make better use of the office space by reducing desk space & introducing several formal & informal meeting areas to support the way their business is moving forward.

PROJECT TYPE – OFFICE REFURBISHMENT

SECTOR – AUTOMOTIVE

PROJECT TURNAROUND – 4 WEEKS

PROJECT SIZE – 14,000 SQ FT.

The Idea

Initial discussions were driven by the client’s vision for how they wanted to transform Leoni’s office space into a top-tier grade A office for both staff and stakeholders. To achieve Leoni’s dynamic new space overhaul, a thorough reconfiguration and revitalisation of the worn-out office space was needed. This involved a comprehensive CAT A and CAT B fit-out followed by contemporary office furniture to transform the space into a future-proof environment, serving to create a modern space that exudes a favourable impression for when major automotive clients visit, as well as a hint of home for staff returning back to the office.

The Design

Following our initial meeting with Leoni the objective was clear: a modern, sophisticated office environment with consistent branding throughout. Achieving this required us to focus on the company’s culture, staying on brand, and ensuring absolute functionality.

The office design combined a multitude of open-plan aesthetics including spaces for private meetings, lone working, and integrated video call areas. Key to achieving this was reducing the desk numbers from approximately 200 desk positions to 100 which also had the added benefit of creating more space for circulation & collaboration.

To successfully implement Leoni’s 3-day hybrid working scheme, they wanted to incorporate a digital booking system where staff could reserve desk positions, meeting rooms & private offices in advance. Large organisations like Leoni benefit from the efficiency of a booking system as staff know exactly where they’ll be working or holding meetings at any point during the day.

To ensure the customers vision aligned with our furniture portfolio, we produced 2d drawings, elevated drawings & visualisations of the proposed new office space. Through a series of collaborative meetings with Leoni, we meticulously refined the designs to showcase the space’s full potential, all while remaining mindful of the customer’s budget.

The Installation

To successfully complete the office refurbishment project, all furniture, including 200 desks, storage units, chairs, and screens, needed to be removed from the current offices. To provide a clear path for the client’s IT team we ensured that each desk was equipped with the correct cable management setup. This included the supply of double monitor arms and under-desk cable trays designed to accommodate power modules and leads – these were routed back to the perimeter power source through the desks. Throughout the project, we worked diligently to meet our deadline in coordination with the fit-out company, ensuring clear communication with contractors about when their work in specific areas would be finished so we could assemble the furniture, allowing IT to follow efficiently.

The Outcome

Initially, Leoni expressed some concern about employees willingness to return to the office after becoming accustomed to remote work. However, following the successful completion of the project, there has been a notable surge in staff keen to return.

The office environment has transformed into a more collaborative space, enhanced not only by the introduction of informal breakout areas but also through thoughtful details like reduced desk divider screen widths that facilitate better communication among team members.

One of the statement pieces of the project was the main boardroom, which we designed to facilitate traditional use whilst also featuring soft seating and ample space, making it an ideal venue for company functions and networking events.

Furthermore, as Leoni are German-owned, expectations for office ergonomics were high. On the opening day for the new offices, the German senior management team expressed their appreciation for our design, indicating that they plan to adopt our furniture specification as a model for their global locations.