Durham Constabulary

We have been working with Durham Constabulary for a number of years to develop a series of agile and flexible workspaces.  Their headquarters provides its users with a modern and flexible Workspace. The project included a depth briefing process in which workplace performance and requirements were measured and tested through a series of user group workshops and reviews. We tested user perceptions to move people into a workspace 40% of the size space they had previously occupied through reduction of storage, moving down to smaller desks and going 100% flexible desk share with an 8-10 working ratio. The space is scattered with meeting rooms of various sizes and is also supported by meeting pods and touchdown points throughout the building. All users have access to locker spaces.

The interior design process and output was commended by the Home Office for creating a new working culture which was helped by creating leaner but more effective and modern amenities. Moving away from a traditional solutions like a canteen to a Costa style coffee bar was a big concern for many in the force but the space is popular and adds to agile landscape. It was important to modernise the organisation not only in look and feel but in culture moving them away from corridors, cellular ownership and all round greyness in environment. The long dialogue process with all members of staff meant that transition was comfortable and expected. The main atrium provides a focal point and is scattered with agile work settings.