CBRE IM
Transforming a dark, desk-saturated office into a future-ready workplace people are excited to return to.
CBRE IM's offices at 1 New Change were dark, cramped and desk-saturated, a setting that no longer matched their people's needs, especially once the pandemic changed what an office needed to offer. Squaredot was brought in to re-purpose the existing space entirely and transform it into a workplace built for diverse, evolving demands.
Challenge
The existing office simply wasn't working. Desk density was too high, natural light and acoustics were poor, and the space offered no real flexibility for how people actually wanted to work. CBRE IM needed a transformation, not a refresh, one that could support both current teams and whatever came next.
Approach
We ran a thorough analysis of the space, including creative workshops to gauge staff opinion directly, so the redesign reflected real needs rather than assumptions. That insight shaped every decision that followed, from layout to furniture to acoustics.
Transformation
A variety of future-ready settings were introduced, including a large number of 2/4-person meeting pods, cutting desk density by 50% and freeing up room for flexible, collaborative areas. Up to 250 people can now comfortably share 120 workstations and a further 80 collaborative spaces throughout the building. New booking systems support a genuine "work from anywhere" culture; colour and natural materials transform the look and feel throughout, and considerable acoustic improvements were made to strategically placed lounges and relaxation spaces. In keeping with a broader focus on sustainability, some furniture and fittings were upcycled and reused from the previous office rather than replaced.
Client feedback
"It was a real team effort to identify the concerns and agree the objectives to develop and deliver the design we are now enjoying. Now that we have reopened the office and welcomed everyone back, our people are already enjoying the space and I’m very glad to see the positive way that everyone has responded to the challenge of our new environment and the updated ways of working in a more agile way."
John Mulqueen, Director
CBRE IM HQ
A future-ready workplace built from a dark, desk-saturated office.
Design Detail
Colour, natural materials and acoustic care throughout.
Collaboration Zone
Flexible meeting pods designed for however teams choose to work.
Impact & Results
The transformation of 1 New Change has been warmly received. The team is now more excited than ever to be back in the office.
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   ✓ Desk density cut by 50%, with 250 people comfortably sharing 120 workstations and 80 collaborative areas
   ✓ A genuine "work from anywhere" culture, supported by new booking systems
   ✓ Considerable acoustic improvements to lounges and relaxation spaces
   ✓ Sustainable, up-cycled furniture reused from the previous office as part of a broader wellbeing focus
