Richard heads a business of Consulting Architects, specialising in the development of innovative flexible workspace, office planning and home working programmes, based on space use audits and occupancy survey data.

Particular emphasis is placed on user participation in the development and implementation of new ways of working and innovative office planning

Experience

Richard has worked with a number of leading UK businesses and public organisations since founding his company in 1992, including IBM, the Church Commissioners, The Learning & Skill Council, Nortel, BT Cellnet, PPP Healthcare and The Prudential.

Key client services

Strategic workplace and occupancy planning - The consultancy tests the suitability of existing and proposed premises to meet business needs. The establishment of user requirements and design criteria for briefing new projects is also undertaken.

Space use audits and occupancy surveys - Richard underpins its proposals with evidence from detailed surveys of the usage of existing workplaces over time, bench marking against external norms and efficiency measurements.

User opinion polls - web-based surveys that quantify the key concerns of space users are designed, set up and analysed. Tabulated results give invaluable data to management to inform decision making in many change management situations.

Space planning - Master planning of office interiors or detailed layouts are undertaken.

Flexible workspace programmes - proposals may include hot desking and similar flexible officing solutions, where these are justified by the utilisation data obtained from occupancy surveys.

Home working and teleworking - Programmes are in place to ensure that location-independent workers are properly prepared and equipped to be safe, effective and productive.

Post occupancy evaluation - no project is truly complete until an evaluation has been undertaken to ensure that its objectives have been met and that the space users are satisfied. This can be determined by surveys carried out on-line, or by interview.

Proven Benefits

Data from completed projects demonstrates the benefits of carefully introduced flexible officing programmes:

	Reduced occupancy costs
	Improved staff effectiveness and productivity
	Increased space utilisation
	Relocation costs savings
	Enhanced staff satisfaction

Credentials

The practice draws on extensive design management experience in corporate real estate focused on the needs of the workplace to support business performance. It is underpinned by regular research papers and teaching. A wealth of experience in space planning strategy and project management is available to our clients. The consultancy is a RIBA Registered Practice.