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Architecture firms picks up major new contract for world’s largest provider of flexible workspace

ByCLCIntern

Sep 28, 2019 #Business

Adding to its growing national reputation for the quality of its interior design flair, the interiors team of award-winning architects, Howarth Litchfield of Durham (HL), is currently working on the roll out of a UK-wide development programme of flexible office interiors for IWG Group incorporating the Regus and Spaces brands, the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions.

Working in partnership with Key Property Solutions (KPS) out of its Northern offices in Co Durham,  the programme consists of new locations and buildings together with the refurbishment of existing premises and covers both the Regus and ‘Spaces’ brands.  Three schemes have already been completed – Aberdeen and Leeds under the Spaces brand and one in Norwich for the Regus brand.

The planning and design of all the schemes is based on the Regus or Spaces brand guidelines, which encompass all facets of the design process from initial zone planning of the space through to the final selection of artwork to be displayed. The USP of the Spaces brand is to create a global community and offer creative working environments with unique entrepreneurial spirit.  The schemes are based on providing the utmost flexibility for occupiers.

This new work for Howarth Litchfield closely follows the completion of the refurbishment of seven Holiday Inns up and down the country and closer to home, the acclaimed interior design of Hotel Indigo in Durham, for International Hotels Group and at Acklam Hall in Stockton, the latter two both being listed buildings.

Commenting on this further prestigious commission from Regus, Jonathan Yates, HL director said:

“We have now completed three schemes and are delighted with the outcome.  Our first scheme in Aberdeen city centre, a 2000sqm new build grade A development and a key building within Aberdeen Council’s city centre masterplan, involved the design of a range of business spaces and it is fully operational.  The next major Spaces project to be completed was in a 2200sqm building in a prime location in Leeds city centre and has been designed to provide 350 spaces.

“The next location will be in Chester, a 3375sqm office with 600 spaces which will be going to site in September 2019.”

HL’s interior designer, Nickie Lindsay commented:  “It is hugely satisfying to work on interiors projects of this scale and significance for a world-leading brand and our involvement demonstrates that Howarth Litchfield is not only gaining a reputation for the creativity and innovation of its interiors solutions, but is picking up the kind of design briefs that rank us amongst some of the most successful interior design teams both in the region and nationally.”

With a network including almost 3000 business centres, spanning almost 900 cities across 120 countries, Regus enables its people and businesses to work flexibly where, when and how they want, throughout the world.  Counting within its customer base  some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, individuals and multi-billion-dollar corporations, it is therefore vital that its interiors are modern, vibrant and aspirational if Regus is to continue attracting and retaining its global community of occupiers.

KPS, a fit out and refurbishment specialist, (part of the Bowmer & Kirkland Group) is well respected for its work, which is undertaken nationwide from its two offices in Heage, Derbyshire and Chester le Street and supported by a satellite office in Scotland.  Don Johansen, managing director, is delighted with this raft of IWG projects.  He said:

“We feel privileged to be part of the IWG team.  Over the past 18 months working closely with our supply chain, we have developed a robust delivery model and with our colleagues at HLP, who have taken our interior design flare to another level, we are ideally placed to support IWG in their exciting expansion programme”

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