Irvine office gets their move on

The challenge

A real estate company headquartered in California had to relocate from its existing site, and enlisted Kalli Management to create a new space that was more modern, functional and consistent with the company’s corporate culture. Part of Kalli’s role was to determine the company’s specific needs (number of offices, room sizes, meeting areas, filing and IT requirements, client reception needs, and more), and create an attractive, organized and professional office while keeping budget in mind.

The solution

The project required Kalli to provide services that covered everything from design and construction to new furniture sourcing and move logistics. They approached the large-scale project with a comprehensive overview of client needs and wants; Kalli principal Nuala Kelly did a walk-through of the company’s existing space to see their workstations and get a sense of their operation, then sat down with the client and some of the staff to determine what elements would be required to make a beautiful, functional space. Number of staff, number of offices needed, meeting rooms, break rooms, filing needs, IT needs, privacy needs, technology requirements and more were all factored in early in the game.

Nuala performed test fits on three possible locations so the client could choose the right location for their business needs. When the client chose their favourite, Kalli produced a detailed drawing of the space, and once it was approved, went ahead with full planning that included all components of construction requirements, furnishings, technology and move logistics.

Nuala determined that the company’s existing oversized furniture was wasting valuable square footage. Workstations took up more space than they needed to, and had high walls that prevented collaboration and looked dated and unfriendly. Nuala sourced new, well-priced Teknion workstations that offer a more efficient use of desk space and storage. There are no high panels to block light, filing units are closer to the employee, and the look is clean and modern.

She also designed the space to provide more natural light. Maximizing sunlight is an easy way to modernize the look of an office, provide a healthy and appealing work environment, and cut down on artificial lighting. The new workstations were placed near windows, and interior management offices were designed with full glass fronts to take advantage of available light and create a sense of transparency and a more open-door feel.

Boardrooms were equipped with state-of-the-art technology for improved functionality and professionalism. Kalli brought in AV with Crestron iPad technology (which allows everything to be controlled centrally during client presentations), quality equipment for enhanced clarity, and a large flat-screen for better viewing and a sleek high-tech look. Meeting rooms were located right off the reception area to improve overall flow. Instead of having to walk though employee areas, visitors can now go directly into the meeting space. A streamlined boardroom kitchen was added adjacent to the boardrooms.

In their initial assessment, Kalli had determined that staff needed private spaces for conference calls, so in addition to the large meeting rooms, small phone rooms were set aside specifically for this use.

The original office was on two floors; separate workspaces and break rooms divided the employees into two groups, which negatively impacted collaboration and robbed the company of cohesion. The new office now exists on one expansive floor. It has wide entryways, accessible entrances and other elements to assist people with disabilities. A single break room provides staff with an appealing place to unwind. It has comfortable seating, a large flat-screen TV and commercial refrigerators for roomy food storage. It’s also a great spot for staff meetings.

The result

The client couldn’t be happier with their new office; Kalli has received praise and positive comments from employees at all levels.

Staff love the break room. They feel like their needs were really taken into consideration with its thoughtful design. They enjoy having access to a TV at lunchtime, and like the additional storage capacity of the large commercial refrigerators. They also appreciate the sense of space provided by the airy open-concept design; managers in glass-front offices feel more approachable, low-walled workstations invite collaboration, and natural sunlight gives everyone a sense of well-being.

Both employees and managers feel that their needs have been factored into the new office, and it has made a real difference. Morale is up, people are happier, and everyone feels like they’re working as part of a cohesive team, and for a company that truly cares about their needs.