ACCA

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the global body for professional accountants. Having implemented a hybrid working model following the pandemic, the team had recognised that their workplace needed some significant changes. The brief was to not only enable their team to perform better at work, but also recognise their reduced occupancy rates would allow for the consolidation of space and permit the sublease of part of their footprint.

Working alongside the clients’ architect and professional team we delivered the design and build of a new workspace concept that allowed more flexible space to accommodate the changing number of employees who do work onsite, as well as facilitating effective collaboration between in office staff and their at home colleagues.

Reconfiguring space for new ways of working

We worked closely with the ACCA team to recognise and reconfigure under utilised space. The previous reception and meeting room area were remodelled to allow for the install of a new staff pantry area and a number of ‘touch down’ meeting rooms that feature eye-level VC equipment which allows remote employees to maintain eye contact with in-office staff.

Nearby an immersive studio space was also added, providing additional interactive space for staff to connect. Whether it be for scheduled meetings or spontaneously, this flexible space fosters creativity and ideation. By integrating this physical space with technology, off site staff have the ability to participate and remain engaged with their in-office colleagues.

Flexible furniture allows the ACCA team to adjust their workspace depending on the task

Fluid furniture that can flex space as required

A hybrid workforce needs space that can flex with the variable number of staff and tasks that need to be accommodated for. Distributed between elements of traditional office space, we integrated furniture and partitioning solutions that can be easily reconfigured to support focussed work, collaboration, or both based on individual team needs. These elements not only help to accelerate innovation through better collaboration, but also mean the ACCA team can ensure their real estate is always optimised.

Small enclosed spaces allow for heads down work to occur when required

In recognising that effective collaboration happens when there is an ebb and flow of people coming together to work as a team and then moving apart to focus on individually assigned tasks, collaboration spaces were offset with a number of focus spaces. These smaller spaces provide adequate privacy within the office to ensure employees don’t feel they have to work at home to get focus work done.

Lighting and architectural finishes come together to create a fully branded workplace experience

Enhancing brand connection

Architectural finishes, custom joinery, unique light fittings and artwork all come together to add a modern flair to the space, embracing the ACCA branding and culture. Biophilia brings in natural elements and throughout the office every detail was carefully blended to create a destination workplace the team would love coming to work for.

Fabulous, really good! I am very happy to stand by my words, it is an example project and site. It was a big leap into the unknown for us in terms of new ways of working and it is an indication of what should be our future. Not only has it given the WOW factor that we were looking for, but it has also shown the usability of the space which works. A very big thanks to the AIS team for a great project, I have already recommended you for a potential next project, AIS will be the first to get a call.