Mark Dowse, Author at MD Business Interiors Devon

Mark Dowse
Uncategorised
March 26, 2015

The right fabric for office furniture?

How to choose the right fabric for office furniture.

When choosing fabric for your office furniture, there are a number of items to consider in addition to colour and pattern. As you go through the process of choosing fabric, keep these tips in mind.

1) What environment will the furniture be used in?
As they say its all about location, location, location! Where will the furniture be used? There is furniture specifically designed for use in Healthcare and Educational settings. Furniture for these vertical markets is designed with specific in mind, it may limit your number of fabric options, but you want something that works for your environment.. The specific location of the furniture in your building is another factor, as sunlight and artificial light can fade the colour of fabric at different rates.

Note: Node chairs are designed for use in a classroom. These chairs do not come with fabric and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or towel.

2) How will the furniture be used?

Depending on where the furniture is used in your office can determine what level of fabric you want to use. If a chair is being used daily, you want a more sturdier fabric than one you would use on a conference chair.
Note: Fabric used on reception furniture does not have to be as sturdy as fabric used for daily employees.

3) Colour and Patterns

There are a ton of fabric options for chairs, from single colours to wild patterns. Once you’ve determined how the chair will be used, you should look at who will be using it. Trendy colours today can make a fabric look old well before it wears out.

4) How will the furniture be cleaned?

Did you know you can ruin fabric and other textiles with cleaners? Clorox or similar disinfectant wipes are great for kitchens and counter tops, but they can ruin some types of fabric. Check with your facilities staff to see what type of cleaning products they use. In some cases, janitorial staff are required to use certain types of cleaners. There are fabrics designed specifically for use in these environments. A note on wood desks, most manufactures do not recommend using wood polish, as over the years they a dull film will build up on the surface.

If you have questions for our Office Furniture experts, please email them in via the website.

(How to choose the right fabric for office furniture was first written by Michael Brandt – September ’14)

Mark Dowse
Uncategorised
March 4, 2015

Office desk installation testimonial!

We wanted to share an email received recently from one of our customers as below:

Hi Mark

Just thought we would drop you a line to say how thrilled we have been with our new office refurbishment which has gone from a dreary old and shabby office to an office we can be proud to welcome our customers into. We are especially pleased with our new Customer welcome area which was a great idea of yours and really makes a difference when we are talking through ideas with customers.

The process has been so easy with your help in designing the best solutions for us as a company and the efficient way the refurbishment, including building of the furniture, was carried out. We would have no hesitation in recommending you to any business small or large. Thank you once again.

Roz Norris
Haven Conservatories Ltd
01392 876187
www.havenconservatories.co.uk

Mark Dowse
Uncategorised
March 3, 2015

Global company expands to newly refurbished premises in Exeter.

BPA Quality, a global company with offices in the UK and the USA, has opened a new European HQ in Exeter.The company, a leading provider of Customer Contact Quality Monitoring, works with global organisations from a variety of sectors including transport, technology and telecommunications.

The UK operation previously consisted of a two separate offices and the company was keen to bring their 135 multi-lingual employees together under one roof.

Office partitions in Exeter

The extensive refurbishment of BPA’s new larger premises in Exeter’s Pynes Hill was carried out by independent office refurbishment contractors, MD Business Interiors.The local company provides office furniture and complete commercial refurbishment services to create professional successful environments for businesses across the county of Devon and beyond.

BPA Quality required secure areas within the offices and space factored in for business growth.Mark Dowse of MD Business Interiors worked to a tight brief, liaising with Jeff Bardell, Director of Research & Analytics, and Elle Neal, Project Manager BPA Quality.The MD Business Interiors team rewired the building; installed new data (Cat 5 cabling; data cables and network points) and a network for the new telephone system.In addition the firm built 135 work stations; a circular corridor of six new meeting rooms with full height glazed partitions; a private kitchen and new café/refectory area as well as supplying the furniture.

As part of the ambitious expansion programme, MD Business Interiors had to get the balance right between free-flowing and private areas, with secure areas.

Mark Dowse, Managing Director of MD Business Interiors said: “Security was a key consideration for the client and we offered a bespoke solution.This project has been designed specifically to allow for future projected growth, and design and space planning was the key to the success of the finished product.The corporate colours were incorporated into the design throughout.We also offered the staff a two-week trial period whereby they were able to try out the office and café furniture to find out which was most comfortable and user-friendly, before making a commitment to purchase.”

Elle Neal – Project Manager BPA Quality said: “When we decided to expand our UK operation, and move to larger office premises in Exeter, it was important for the new space to feature a multi-functional design with meeting rooms, a management suite, a large open plan working area and a sizeable staff break-out area. The brief was to create a pleasant and ergonomic working environment for our 135 strong team, representative of our global brand, but with space for future growth.”

She adds: “Mark worked closely with us to gain a thorough understanding of the BPA Quality brand and our requirements. It was important to us for the design to be consistent with the modern, light and airy style of the building and Mark achieved this with the introduction of glass partitions allowing for a high level of natural light. The MD Business Interiors team was great to work with and both accommodating and flexible.They not only delivered on programme; they kept disruption to a minimum.Mark fully met the brief, delivering cost effective and practical solutions, and the result is a thoughtfully designed state-of-the-art office space. The design has exceeded our expectations and we are exceptionally pleased with the new look BPA Quality European Headquarters located in Exeter.”

www.bpaquality.co.uk

www.mdinteriorsdevon.com

Mark Dowse
2015, Office furniture information
February 27, 2015

How to choose office furniture?

HOW TO CHOOSE OFFICE FURNITURE
Spending eight hours or more a day sat on an uncomfortable chair, with a PC balancing precariously on a worktop that’s small, unstable and cluttered, is hardly conducive with productiveness. It’s long been established that the right office furniture plays a central role in boosting employee productivity, staff retention and ultimately influencing company turnover.

Generic open plan office furniture

If you are wanting to exchange furniture in the office that is well past its sell-by date, take a look the following advice on how to choose office furniture that could be an influencing factor is the success of the business. Office furniture reflects the investment in your staff but it has to create the right impression. Not to over the top expensive but also not too cheap!

MAKE COMFORT A PRIORITY

Comfortable chairs and spacious work desks should be at the top of your office furniture shopping criteria. It stands to reason, if employees are suffering from neck ache, stiffness, or any other ailments due to uncomfortable furniture, they are unlikely to work at their optimum.

By contrast, comfy, spacious office furniture will help keep the workforce relaxed and geared up for work.

Executive chair

OPT FOR FURNITURE THAT REFLECTS YOUR BRAND

Office furniture should be reflective of a company’s personality, image and brand. For example, contemporary, vibrant and fashionable office furniture is likely to ‘work well’ in a trendy, new creative agency.

Be aware that you furniture reflects your business. Too ‘posh’ and clients might think you’re expensive, too cheap and you might look the same!

Tambour cupboards, an efficient storage solution

CONSIDER STORAGE AND SPACE

Offices are natural generators of hordes of paperwork and as a consequence require somewhere to store massing amounts of filing. When choosing office furniture it is therefore important to consider storage. For example, a desk with drawers attached might be preferable to a desk without any storage.

Look at tambour cupboards instead of filing cabinets and only store what you really need to!

For all your office furniture needs contact visit MD Business Interiors via the website. Devon’s best-known and respected commercial refurbishment and construction specialists.

Mark Dowse
2015, Uncategorised
February 27, 2015

Office partitions and what type is right for you.

Partitioning Systems within Buildings

The many modern or new partitioning systems on the market today offer many advantages over traditional forms of construction. When compared with block-work or timber stud, lightweight metal stud based systems can be installed in a very productive and efficient manner. Metal studs also allow us to retain high levels of quality control and strict tolerances on setting out. All of the above ensures that we can comply with tight building deadlines, as demanded by the industry.

The key attributes of metal stud and demountable internal partitions.

A stud wall in construction

Lighter in weight – less loading on the buildings structure
Reduced installation time
Dimensionally accurate
Lower cost of installation due to reduced time on site
Incorporation of M&E services including cable management
Numerous options on insulation and board finish/performance
Re-locatable giving flexibility to the client.

Main System Types:

1. Metal stud / Plasterboard

Varying types of studs, mainly 50mm, 70mm or 146mm. Faced with any type of plasterboard dependent on performance required. Very flexible system which can be tailored to meet thermal, acoustic and structural fire protection requirements. Operable over a wide range of environments and duty ratings.

Main manufacturers: British Gypsum, Knauf, and Lafarge

2. Relocatable Systems

Demountable relocatable partitions

Primarily utilised within office environments. Based on a metal stud framework with aluminium or steel colour coded sections. Panels can be solid or glazed and include integral blinds. Doors are also integrated into the system, with many varied wood veneers on offer.

Again very flexible. Good for creating new offices, meeting rooms etc, and optimising the space available. As the name suggests they can be taken down and re-located.

3. Metal Faced Systems

Similar in detail to the relocatable systems above but utilizing powder coated or plastisol covered panels. The systems are used to form secure areas, storage areas, or clean rooms. The glazing is often replaced by security mesh in storage areas. These systems are extremely durable and flexible and easily relocated.

Main Manufacturers: Troax

4. Silicon Glazed Partitions

Frameless partitioning systems have outstanding aesthetics. The joints between the glass sheets are formed by using an ultra slim silicon joint which can be pre formed or installed on site. Head and wall channels are available in aluminium or timber. Suited to virtually every environment, systems may be single or double glazed. Walls can be straight, faceted or curved.

Full height single glazed partitions

We offer a huge choice of doors ranging from the conventional hinged timber type to sliding glass and flush double glazed. Corporate logos can be incorporated into the manifestation of the glass. If required systems can be supplied giving fire resistance up to 60 minutes integrity and insulation – depending on construction.

Main Manufacturers: Avanti ‘Solare’; Tenon ‘Vintage’ and SAS ‘Clarity’.

Call us on 01392 834980 or contact us via the website to arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements.

(Images courtesy of Invotek, Troax, CCF and Tenon Partitions).

Mark Dowse
2015, Uncategorised
February 25, 2015

New Medical Centre refurbishment handover.

The official handover of Admiral House in Exeter.

Mark Dowse, Managing Director of MD Business Interiors hands over the newly refurbished Admiral House at Exeter Business Park to Exeter Medical Directors, Christopher Stone and David Olivier.

Exeter-based MD Business Interiors was successfully selected as project manager and refurbishment contractor for the substantial £350,000 contract to relocate Exeter Medical from their former premises at Exeter Airport Business Park to the new site in Grenadier Road.

Quite and private waiting area…..

Computer generated generic reception 3D view to aid customer project impressions

The ambitious expansion programme now offers additional office space, a larger reception, consulting rooms, a conference centre, three new operating theatres and a cosmetic suite. The extensive programme also included specialist air conditioning and an air exchange ventilation system. In addition, Exeter Medical also made further significant investment on medical equipment and furniture to furnish the new premises. This includes a suite of medical lasers for the treatment of acne, sun damage and birthmark, thread veins and tattoo removal.

MD Business Interiors, which provides office furniture and complete commercial refurbishment services to create professional successful environments for business, are currently busy with a number of projects located at Pynes Hill, Marsh Barton Trading Estate and throughout the County as a whole.

Waiting area at Admiral House.

The local company first worked for Exeter Medical in 2006 when fitting out the Exeter Airport premises before the company outgrew the space. The firm was fully responsible for the project from conception to completion including design, space planning, refurbishment, building works, office furniture and soft seating. MD Business Interiors obtained the planning permission for change of use and also secured building regulations approval. The project took a total of 14 weeks and was completed successfully on budget and within a very tight deadline.

Mark Dowse, Managing Director of MD Business Interiors says: “The Directors were very happy with the initial fit-out we undertook at Exeter Airport and as a result contacted us again to carry out all works for the new premises. The brief was to keep the same corporate style but on a much larger scale with a modern twist to include three new operating theatres. This meant working within the stringent Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidelines for surgeries and medical buildings with regular site inspections at various stages to check on standards of work and compliance. The design of this project and the pedestrian flow was crucial as visitors have to be guided to various areas, some with limited access. Our scope of works included the AutoCAD design and space planning, partitions, electrical and plumbing work, M&E (Mechanical & Engineering) installation, new office furniture, flooring and full decoration throughout. It was a pleasure working on a diverse project with a high specification and with such interesting clients.”

Exeter Medical is the South West’s premier independent healthcare and cosmetic centre. Directors, Christopher Stone and David Olivier Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons are seen as pioneers in the medical world running their own business alongside their primary roles as well-respected surgeons. As a result of the larger and spacious new premises the company has been able to increase staff by around 50%, taking the number of personnel from 9‑13 plus two additional part-time employees.

Christopher Stone, Director Exeter Medical said: “When we decided to upgrade new premises it was an easy decision to instruct Mark Dowse to project manage the re-fit as he designed and constructed our first clinic building. Mark and his dedicated team fully understand the nature of our business, our objectives and company philosophy and we are absolutely delighted with the new building which came in on time and on budget. Over a three month period, MD Business Interiors transformed a generic office building into a modern healthcare facility, which not only meets the clinical requirements for a range of medical and surgical specialties, but also offers beautiful and inspiring surroundings for both patients and staff alike.”

As a result of the new expansive premises, Exeter Medical welcomes a new collaboration with the Exeter Eye Ophthalmic Surgeons who share the Admiral House facility.

David Olivier, Director Exeter Medical further comments: “MD Business Interiors has worked very closely with us at all stages to produce a contemporary spacious healthcare environment. We are particularly pleased with the modern design of our dedicated cosmetic suite within the building and the state-of-the-art operating theatres. It has enabled us to expand our comprehensive range of facilities even further, including the new eye surgery available from the well-respected Exeter Eye Ophthalmic Surgeons who now share our new premises. It resolutely puts us at the forefront of the market place, firmly placing us as the premier independent healthcare and cosmetic centre in the South West.

www.exetermedical.co.uk

Mark Dowse
Office furniture information, Uncategorised
February 25, 2015

How much office space per person?

During my busy working week in Devon and the South West, travelling around helping people with their office furniture requirements, I often get asked this question: ‘How much space per person?’

It is not a straight forward answer, there is no definitive answer but I will try to help!

Over the past few years, the average employee’s work area has fallen from 190 sq ft to 120 sq ft according to a recent report by office agents King Sturge.

AURA bench modern desk range from Lee and Plumpton…..

With the average private sector work area at approx 120 square feet per employee, an employee’s workstation may only measure about 50-60 square feet, the rest of the space is allocated for filing, storage, copiers, meeting rooms, kitchen areas and walking space throughout the office.

Old fashioned call centre?

Rabbit hutches!

Under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers have a responsibility to provide a minimum work space of 40 square feet per person in an office area, not overall for the building and the business per person.

Regulation number 10 of the above states: ‘Every room where persons work shall have sufficient floor area, height and unoccupied space for purposes of health, safety and welfare’.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have produced an Approved Code of Practice which goes on to state:

Workrooms should have enough free space to allow people to get to and from workstations and to move within the room, with ease. The number of people who may work in any particular room at any one time will depend not only on the size of the room, but on the space taken up by furniture, fittings, equipment, and on the layout of the room. Workrooms, except those where people only work for short periods, should be of sufficient height (from floor to ceiling) over most of the room to enable safe access to workstations. In older buildings with obstructions such as low beams the obstruction should be clearly marked.

The total volume of the room, when empty, divided by the number of people normally working in it should be at least 11 cubic metres. In making this calculation a room or part of a room which is more than 3.0m high should be counted as 3.0m high. The figure of 11 cubic metres per person is a minimum and may be insufficient if, for example, much of the room is taken up by furniture etc.

The figure of 11 cubic metres does not apply to:

retail sales kiosks, attendants’ shelters, machine control cabs or similar small structures, where space is necessarily limited; or rooms being used for lectures, meetings and similar purposes.

Learn from past mistakes as below:

In a typical room, where the ceiling is 2.4m high, a floor area of 4.6m2 (for example 2.0 x 2.3m) will be needed to provide a space of 11 cubic metres. Where the ceiling is 3.0m high or higher the minimum floor area will be 3.7m2 (for example 2.0 x 1.85m). (These floor areas are only for illustrative purposes and are approximate).

The floor space per person indicated above will not always give sufficient unoccupied space, as required by the Regulation. Rooms may need to be larger, or to have fewer people working in them, than indicated in those paragraphs, depending on such factors as the contents and layout of the room and the nature of the work. Where space is limited careful planning of the workplace is particularly important.

Many companies need to look at ‘low cost’ office space; however this should not be at the expense of the morale and productivity of staff. When planning your new office, be realistic about the space you have available and don’t create a floor plate that is too tightly packed.

We find that an average of 80 to 100 square feet per person can creates a comfortable working environment.

When choosing workstations for your staff, you should make sure that they are suitable for the people using them and for the work they do. There should be enough space around the desk area, and an effective cable management system for people to leave swiftly and safely in an emergency.

If you are looking to move offices or re-plan existing, then get in touch via the website or call 01392 834980.

For more information on the governments Workplace Regulations visit the HSE website from this link.

Thanks for reading, hope it helped!

Mark

Mark Dowse
2015, Uncategorised
February 19, 2015

Devon Business Expo on 30 April ’15

We are exhibiting at the Devon Business Expo on the 30 April 2015 at ‘The Matford Centre’ on Marsh Barton.

Last year was a real buzz & we saw lots of existing customers & made some more new ones. We are looking forwards to the show again his year for more of the same.

See you at stand 91?

Mark Dowse
2015, Office furniture information
February 18, 2015

Reception Furniture: why so important?

The statement ‘First impressions last’ cannot be understated, many failures and successes depend on that split second when the first impression is formed and usually, there is no second chance to rectify a bad impression.

First impressions!

What is it that gives the other person or the public the kind of first impression about anyone or anything? Usually, it is whatever immediately catches the senses. So, it could be the first taste, smell, texture, appearance or sound.

First impression is so important that it is not surprising to know that some people invest time, effort and money just to learn how to make a good impression in their personal and /or business endeavors.

Modular reception counters designed for bespoke projects.

In a business, it is the office reception area that gives a first impression about the company. The reception area is the first part of an office that visitors see; hence investing in quality reception furniture is a good business decision.

A good set of reception furniture would cost more than a mediocre one, but the investment is worth it if one considers the following:

Cheap and ugly reception furniture may turn off discriminating clients and they may ask themselves, “Am I in the right place?” Business owners /managers should bear in mind that the choosy and discriminating clients are those who can afford to pay.

Cheap furniture items are usually not well designed for comfort. The users feel tired or uncomfortable before the working day ends. Poor design also results in inefficiency because it is more likely that the equipment at the reception desk are not located within easy reach of the receptionist.

Good reception furniture gives an impression that the business owner/manager has the financial means to support their good taste. Another impression would be that the business is doing well financially.

Suppliers and service providers would want to do business with a business which has the capability to pay their goods and services. A good set of reception furniture would help give the business a positive image financially.

Working with a good set of reception furniture would give the receptionist a sense of pride and consequently, would do his or her job well. The other employees would also be proud that they are part of an impressive company.

A first impression is not always entirely true; the reception area is not truly enough to judge a business. Though in many cases, the impression of the reception area can be the basis whether the client would likely go further in negotiating with the business.

Want to create a great first impression? Email us via the website or call 01392 834980 for more information.

Mark Dowse
2015, Uncategorised
February 17, 2015

Choosing the right office partitions!

Devon office refurbishment contractors MD Business Interiors share their thoughts on office partitions & how to choose the most suitable for your project.

So you’re planning a new office fit-out in Devon or Exeter and there’s a lot to think about – from picking the right paint colours, carpets and blinds, to making sure that you choose the most comfortable and appropriate workstations, your mind is suddenly full of critical decisions.

Double glazed office partition with integral blinds.

Full height single glazed partitions

One very important element of office fit-outs that may risk being forgotten in all this is office partitions. Not only do they contribute to the professional appearance of your office, but they play an important role in making it a functional and productive working environment.

Office partitions are an essential element of office fitouts for various reasons. Most usually they are placed in between cubicles in an office building to provide privacy and space sectioning in an open-plan setting. In this way, partitions are an effective way to provide different workers with their own secluded space. Once the design of your office is set you will need to begin to consider which selection of style and finish of office partitions will work best for you and your company to ensure your finished office fitout is exactly the way you want it.

There is a huge range of partition options for office fitouts, including plasterboard and glass partitions, full or half height partitions and unique one-off designs that can be created according to your individual requirements. See here for some case studies. In fact, the selection of office partitions to choose from is so huge that it’s a good idea to narrow down your scope of selection by first noting down what colours, materials, styles, widths and heights will be most suitable for your particular needs.

Height is one of the most crucial considerations. Although colour is highly customisable, there are just three main heights available in partitions for office fitouts and not every choice in height is going to be suitable for you. One of the most popular styles of office partitions are half height, often used to construct cubicles in open plan offices. If the demands of your office necessitate a quiet environment, you may wish to consider a full height partition, which reaches from floor to ceiling, and is more like a temporary wall than a screen. The third type of partition commonly used in office fitouts is the ‘accordion’ style, which have the appearance of full height partitions, except they concertina open, allowing stylish and easy access between separated spaces.

Effective space planning.

The materials used to construct office partitions ranges from glass to plasterboard, light wood and cloth covered foam. Again, your choice of material is likely to be a very individual decision based on the lay-out of your office, your style of décor and the available space. For example, if you wish to optimise the transmission of natural light, glass partitions will be a great choice, but, if you plan to regularly rearrange your office furniture, a more durable and hardwearing material will be a better option. Apart from height and material, you should also consider the possibility of future expansions when choosing office partitions. If your company is likely to expand, mobile partitions or wheeled partitions that are light, easier to move and re-position when the need arises, may be your best choice.

Finally, when it comes to deciding what is most practical and suitable in office partitions for your office fitouts, it may be worth consulting an expert office designer who will consult with you at every step of the way to designing your office fitouts and partitions according to your needs and budget.

For more information email here or call our Exeter office on 01392 834980.

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