HGF
case study
The vision
When HGF approached us, they were at a crossroads. With a lease event on the horizon and new ways of working emerging post-pandemic, they knew their office could be smaller—but they wanted to make sure it still worked for their people, and looked good whilst doing so. We delivered this and more but not before our Workplace Consultancy took a deeper look into their previous space to create a clear, informed brief for their building search and ensure every decision put colleagues first.
Workplace Consultancy
To understand how the existing office was performing, we ran interactive workshops and a company-wide survey. The insights derived from these workshops gave us a window into daily challenges their team were facing. The key issues identified ranged from teams feeling disconnected across multiple floors and poor acoustics that made it difficult to concentrate, to a shortage of spaces suitable for confidential calls and deep focus work. The kitchen was also inconveniently located, and the overall workplace failed to reflect HGF’s culture. These challenges contributed to low office utilisation, resulting in a lack of energy and buzz throughout the space.
The analysis of these insights, combined with our experience in workplace design, we identified that HGF could reduce their footprint by 50%. After multiple tests fits in spaces across Leeds, HGF made the move from their old 19,000 sq ft space to a new 10,000 sq ft home at 1 City Square, one the city’s most prominent Grade A spaces.
The Design
Despite the smaller footprint, clever design choices informed by our Workplace Consultancy recommendations ensured that neither the functionality nor the overall experience of the space was compromised. The space is a cohesive, brand‑led environment that cultivates a sense of belonging and pride among employees while leaving a memorable, positive impression on clients. This was brought to life through the subtle but consistent use of their signature orange and blue palette, weaving through reception and meeting areas and continuing into touchdown zones, the breakout space, and the kitchen to create one unified visual identity.
A variety of furniture solutions have been installed to encourage collaboration and to help break down traditional siloes, creating spaces where teams can come together more organically throughout the day. At the same time, private pods and a mix of meeting room types offer employees the flexibility they need for confidential conversations, focused individual work, or more structured group sessions. This balance of open, collaborative settings and quiet, dedicated zones ensures the workplace supports every style of working and every moment in the working day.
The end result
The result? A vibrant Destination Office that attracts new talent and helps their team work smarter and more efficiently. The space is a true reflection of both the firm’s continued growth and investment in the region creating a workplace that supports collaboration, innovation, and client experience.
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