KI Europe help Societe Generale “work smarter” with a
radically new office landscape
KI Europe, working with Directive Office Ltd
and TP Bennett have created a radically new
office environment for Societe Generale (SG),
one of the world’s largest financial services
companies.
With increasing demand on their existing real
estate around the Square Mile, and a new Kohn
Pederson Fox-designed consolidated office in
Canary Wharf set for completion in 2019, SG
decided to explore opportunities to maximise
efficient use of their facilities. After reviewing
the workplace strategies of other global
companies and how they address challenges of
space planning and ever-evolving work styles,
SG launched a pilot scheme introducing agile
working for 250 employees in support roles, on
the 2nd floor of their Tower Hill offices.
Jeremy Gibbs, Director and Project Manager of
COO Projects at Societe Generale commented:
“We now have a 44% increase in capacity in
a much nicer environment. This is a first for
Societe Generale and as such the concept
of agile/dynamic working is a new concept,
which has been globally introduced across the
company. We’ve introduced a “Work Smarter”
initiative for staff and as an organisation we
have approached this in a highly democratic
way. As a result, we found that there was a
need for more meeting, collaboration and
confidential phone call spaces, including a
desire for a better provision of coffee, printing
and copy facilities.”
Appointed as lead consultants for the
company’s eventual relocation to Canary
Wharf, TP Bennett were also required to bring
SG’s “work smarter” initiative to life within their
existing offices. In effect, this gradual roll-out
would help transition the workforce to a new
way of working, in an environment that is much
more open, collaborative and flexible.
Kate Sian Boulter, Spatial Interior Designer for
TP Bennett commented:
“Given that this was the first of its kind within
the Societe Generale Corporation there was
a certain pressure to ensure it worked. It was
clear from the start of the process that SG
were keen to explore new ways of working
and very much viewed their new premises
in Tower Hill, Level 2 as a pilot for the larger
future project as well as a potential template
that they could roll out globally. From the
initial design SG were very interested in
exploring new ways of working and providing
an exciting work environment for their staff.
They had a k een interest in what furniture
would be utilised to help achieve efficiency
and looked to inject a level of colour beyond
their black and red brand.”
Prior to the refurbishment, the space was
dominated by cellular offices and lacked
sufficient meeting rooms, with no informal or
breakout spaces. Previously used as a trader
floor, it was densely populated with assigned
desks, partitions and access control, which in
turn darkened the space and generated a sense
of a fragmented workforce.
The TP Bennett team introduced open plan
work spaces, with benches accommodating
up to 10 instead of 8 people. The new 1:1.2
desk sharing ratio allows more efficient
use of space as flexible working becomes
increasingly popular. With senior management
and their assistants occupying the only
assigned workstations throughout the floor,
the remaining 80% of desks were divided
into ‘neighbourhoods’ and are unassigned to
support flexible and collaborative working - a
dramatic change from the former, rigid working
environment.
As the floor is not client-facing, the now
entirely open plan office was free to depart
from the red and black SG corporate colours.
Instead, a colour palette of white, blue and
grey was selected to create a contemporary
and calm atmosphere. UniteSE workstations
were specified with white worktops on black
understructures in order to further lighten
the aesthetic and create an illusion of floating
worksurfaces. There is no screening between
workstations so as to maintain an open vista,
but also to facilitate easy reconfiguration
and flexibility in the future. The assigned
workstations for senior management are also
UniteSE, but can be differentiated by their
generous 2000mm width.
free environments allow individuals to work
without distraction. There are also drop-in
positions provided for visitor use within these
zones, should they seek an alternative to the
generous provisions at the central hub.
The central hub is very much at the heart of
the new floorplan, offering team touchdown
opportunities and collaborative spaces for the
first time. KI’s Work2 bench has been selected
for this area at two different heights - a
standard workstation height of 740mm, and at
a higher level for standing or high chairs. With
integrated power and data, these benches are
perfect for quick get-togethers. Oversailing
worksurfaces supported by robust A-frame legs
and a clean, simple cantilevered understructure
free from obstructions maximise freedom
of movement. Nearby informal occasional
tables and chairs, presentation booths and
refreshment areas complete the easy and
accessible communal zone.
Surrounding the central hub are some of the
17 meeting rooms found on the floor. Designed
to be accessed from both the collaborative
and workstation neighbourhoods, these more
private spaces act as a visual and acoustic
barrier between the hub and desking areas.
Accommodating small groups, the 4 large
meeting rooms are bookable. One of these
features a custom-made UniteSE columnbase table at standing height suitable for 6-8
participants. The remaining 13 smaller meeting
rooms for up to 3 people are drop in only,
allowing staff to access private spaces on an ad
hoc basis.
Another first for the company is the
introduction of sit-stand desks. Three clusters
of 6 ToggleSE sit-stand desks have been
placed around the floor and have proven
extremely popular, becoming occupied very
early in the day. This popularity has lead to
Societe Generale dramatically increasing
the provision of sit-stand desks at other
upcoming refurbishment projects to 50% of all
workstations.
Upon moving into their radically new
workspace, employees were overwhelmingly
impressed with the new design and have
embraced their new working culture. The 2nd
floor has even begun to attract employees
based on other floors within the building,
keen to enjoy the vibrant collaborative spaces.
Jeremy Gibbs comments: “We’ve had really
positive feedback from staff and visitors –
even from the sceptics!”
UniteSE storage has been integrated into
the floorplan, providing one linear meter per
person for personal storage in lieu of pedestals,
plus additional team storage has been
positioned at the end of the bench. Additional
50cm unassigned lockers are scattered
around the office for those who cycle or run
to work, or need to store gym kits. Integrating
perfectly with workstations, they help delineate
neighbourhoods and walkways. Larger, general
storage can be found all over the office for
coats, stationary, waste and recycling.
KI Europe is a local manufacturer of
high quality furniture for workplaces and
educational institutions. Bringing together
good design, advanced engineering and
sustainable resources, KI’s products are
durable, flexible and offer excellent value. KI
Europe is headquartered in London and is
part of one of the world's largest independent
furniture manufacturing groups, KI (Krueger
International, Inc.).
Quiet zones are dotted throughout the floor
and offer a variety of work points designed to
support isolated, focused work. These phone
Please visit the KI Europe website at
www.kieurope.com or telephone
020 7404 7441 for more information.