Yorkshire Building Society HQ
Yorkshire Building Society thrives on the dedication and talent of their people. When Claremont embarked on the mission to transform Yorkshire Drive, their Bradford HQ, into an exemplary Destination Office, we knew that the input from YBS’s colleagues' would be essential.
Sector
Professional Services
Location
Bradford
Size
29,455 sq ft
Scope
Workplace Consultancy
Design & Build
Workplace Furniture
Workplace Technology
Workplace Consultancy
The project started with an in-depth Workplace Consultancy programme from our in-house team, where we were able to get a comprehensive and non-bias look into the workings of YBS. Thanks to this work, we able to devise a detailed brief and design that would address the wants and needs of all colleagues.
Future Workplace Questionnaire (FWQ)
Stakeholder Interviews
Colleague Workshops
Change Management
An Inclusive, People-Powered Workspace
The Vison
YBS wanted a workplace with heart! A business born and bred in Yorkshire requires a workspace that celebrates its heritage, location, and workforce diversity. The building society’s decision to close its training site and move the team into its main Yorkshire Drive office prompted a refurbishment project to reinvigorate its large building, support new ways of working, and ensure inclusivity at every turn.
Following a period of workplace consultancy that sought to understand the workforce’s needs and how the three-storey building could support YBS, Claremont was tasked with refurbishing two wings – the ground-floor east wing as a multi-functional training space and the second-floor central wing, right at the heart of the building. YBS’ vision also called for Claremont to design a series of collaboration spaces which could be introduced throughout the other floors to create a cohesive workplace experience.
The Design
Overall, the newly refurbished space is rich in choice, with dedicated spaces for training, collaboration, wellbeing, socialising and learning. Claremont’s design response takes inspiration from the abundant Yorkshire landscape and its natural materials, as well as the diversity of the workforce, to create a strong sense of place.
Yorkshire stone-effect flooring, dry stone wall-effect finishes, artwork of the Moors and Dales, and a colour palette inspired by nature have all been used to create a calm and inspiring feel. YBS’ brand colours have been softened throughout the primary workspaces and kept bold and punchy at the main arrival points.
The new multi-functional training space in the ground-floor east wing includes various spaces suitable for individual and team training, as well as accessible desks for wheelchair users and those checking emails between training sessions.
The needs of different users have been considered throughout. Three-person meeting booths with unique cut-outs and recessed spaces in the town hall space accommodate wheelchair users and those with guide dogs, while simple black-and-white signage helps the visually impaired. The variety of activity-based work settings on offer meets the needs of neurodivergent employees, and the use of ceiling-mounted cameras in the meeting rooms ensures hybrid workers feel included and get parity of experience, even when dialling in remotely.
A wellness suite forms a significant part of the ground floor’s new design – including a multi-faith space for prayer that can also be used for wellness activities such as yoga. Reflecting Bradford’s cultural diversity and demonstrating YBS’ commitment to inclusivity, the wellness suite is deliberately neutral. It features a curtain to separate the room so that different faiths and genders can use it simultaneously. Separate washing facilities for hands, feet and arms have been included, too. This area also consists of a separate room for nursing mothers.
The second-floor central wing has become YBS’ social heart, a fantastic community-rich breakout space. This space includes a series of gaming spaces, flexible areas for collaboration and meetings, and informal spaces for relaxation. Grab-and-go catering facilities are included here, providing a helpful alternative for busy workers who don’t have time to use the building’s main on-site ground-floor canteen. A town hall space, which can accommodate up to 200 people, shows the importance of bringing employees together for YBS.
Claremont’s design team was also careful to work with some existing finishes and fittings – some of which were the most sustainable choice, and others were more sentimental. An existing wall graphic in the boardroom, commemorating two former employees who lost their lives, has been incorporated into the room’s refresh. Replicating the graphic’s colours around the room makes the artwork stand out and ensures that YBS maintains an essential part of its people-based heritage.
The Outcome
The outcome is a space that shows what can be achieved when organisations understand the needs of their people and put them front and centre in their improvement plans. YBS now has a workplace with heart. It supports agile working methods, is rich in variety and amenities and celebrates inclusivity, culture, collaboration, and community at every turn!
The newly refurbished areas represent who we are as a business. We took the time to engage with our employees before these projects began so that we could understand their needs, and deliver accordingly. Claremont incorporated all their feedback and the needs of the business into a design that inspires and motivates our people and makes them feel part of something bigger - the YBS community.
Tony McKenna, Senior Manager - Property
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