Right Now Group, Staines

The brief:

Having previously worked in a drab and uninspiring office – with staff scattered between four different and very disjointed work areas – the Right Now Group found a commercial shell for relocation purposes. After a recommendation from a past client, HWFS, MPL was asked to create an inspiring office design – laden with brand colours and capable of handling expansion plans – that was cleverly divided to create distinct work zones but that also fostered a new sense of togetherness.

Our approach:

The Right Now Group presented MPL with a true empty shell – one where there wasn’t even an electricity connection. As well as helping our client get connected to the National Grid, we meticulously planned the Cat A part of this commercial office refurbishment, taking into account the brief.

Our remit included the design, specification, supply and installation of flooring, a suspended ceiling with associated grid, cloakrooms, including an accessible wet room with shower, communal kitchen, fire safety aspects, and the provision for lighting, power, data, heat and comfort cooling.

Next came the space planning. The void needed careful division to yield a number of requested areas that felt interlinked. As well as an open place heart, with clusters of hot desks providing workstations for 26 staff, MPL was asked to create two executive offices, a large meeting room – complete with storage and a refreshment station - a store/comms room, and a communal kitchen with stimulating break-out area.

Impact on arrival

A statement entrance was created with the clever positioning of freestanding elements and new partitions with inset glass. Straight ahead is an informal meeting booth with AV and acoustic values – in on-brand black with orange accents and an integrated screen. The booth is flanked either side by refreshment points – a drinks cabinet to the left and a hot drinks station to the right. Above is the company logo, comprising individually-lit, stud-mounted letters.

Sitting to the immediate left of the entrance is a three-screen video wall, surrounded by 3D panelling in the client’s bright orange. It has been paired with a soft seating area featuring a colour scheme that reflects the corporate identity.

To the right of the entrance is a small table with two occasional chairs for candidate registration and a foliage-wrapped structural column – one of many that are dotted about the office creating a biophilic rhythm and design continuity.

Bright and bold with the branding

The black and zesty orange corporate colours of the Right Now Group infuse the entire space. The boldest move was to eschew a white suspended ceiling in most areas, instead opting for black tiles. The foil to this dramatic statement is the liberal use of orange – seen in the desk privacy panels, in the chair and sofa upholstery, in the accessories and in the wall art.

Collaboration on cue

The client was keen to create a better sense of togetherness in the new office – one that would increase company loyalty and improve interdepartmental relationships. The answer was for MPL to create a kitchen cum break out area with a bar vibe.

Sleek fitted cabinets and a breakfast bar are joined by a quirky wine-bottle pendant light, while a pool table provides a fun focus during down times. There’s also a multi-use table, for drinks, dining or informal meetings, a wall-mounted screen and a ‘perching’ area with bar stools.

Additional details

The two executive offices have a slightly different feel to the rest of the space. Here there are white ceiling tiles and wood panelling on the walls – one office features timber slats while the other features wainscoting-style mouldings. Both offices feature illuminated wall logos. Additional wall treatments throughout the office include wallpaper, brick-effect cladding, faux foliage and vinyl manifestations.