Popular amongst small and fast-growth businesses, the “plug and play” office concept has become a flexible, modern work solution. In this guide, we’ll delve into the attractions of a plug and play office and why you may want to consider one for your next space.
What is a plug and play office?
Imagine walking into a new office space where everything is set up and ready to use. All you need to do is “plug in” your team and start working.
These offices are designed to minimise the time and effort involved in setting up a new workspace, making them an attractive option for scale-ups and small businesses that do not have the resource to organise an office renovation themselves.
More recently, larger corporations are also looking at the plug and play set-up as they move to a hybrid style of work and need less space. If you’re not sure what type of office space is right for you, take a look at this blog.
What can be included?
- Furniture and interior set-up: Quality furniture and interior design that caters to various work needs. Desks, chairs, meeting rooms, and common areas are strategically placed to enhance productivity and collaboration
- IT: WiFi and other IT infrastructure are included to ensure a seamless connection for you and your clients
- Utilities and amenities: From lighting and climate control to kitchens and restrooms, everything you need for a comfortable working environment
- Network and security: Often situated in bigger buildings, plug and play offices often provide a secure and well-maintained environment with access control systems and CCTV
What are the benefits?
- Time and resources: Particularly beneficial for startups and businesses that want to hit the ground running, opting for a plug and play workspace means you save time and effort in setup
- Cost efficiency: While initial and monthly costs may be higher, you can avoid upfront expenses associated with purchasing furniture, and ongoing maintenance and utility costs, alongside easier budgeting due to agreed monthly fees
- Focus on core business activity: With logistical aspects taken care of businesses can focus on their core activities and growth strategy
- Professional image: The offices are designed with professionalism in mind, providing a polished image that can impress clients and partners
- Flexibility: Businesses can lease these spaces with little long-term commitment, allowing them to scale up or down as needed without being locked into lengthy leases
Here’s one we made earlier:
Situated in the heart of the Bristol harbourside, Merchants House office in Wapping Wharf is perfect to accommodate the needs of a creative business.
The landlord approached us to help transform the empty shell into a collaborative workspace.
Unlocking space
It was crucial to ensure the space was functional and versatile for the range of businesses that will operate the space in the future.
We maximised space in a lot of ways including:
- Creating moveable zones
- Opted for a meeting pod instead of a traditional boardroom
- Placed the desk bank in the spot with the best views of the city
- Creating an island breakout space
Design and aesthetics
With the space situated in such an iconic location in the city, we wanted the inside to reflect the character and personality of the local area.
To do this we:
- Incorporated a warm, earthy tonal palette
- Added artwork of the Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Used natural, raw materials wherever possible
To find out more about how we transformed the space, read our case study: https://koguk.com/project/wapping-wharf/
If you are planning an office move and want more information on what to consider, check out this blog: https://koguk.com/2023/06/22/office-relocation/