The Guernsey Employment Trust approached us in late 2023 asking if we could help revitalise their office space. They had been using the offices in the Fort Complex for a couple of years and felt that the space was starting to feel worn and unloved. With 3 private meeting rooms as well as 3 larger communal spaces this was our largest charity project to date.
The charity wanted the space to feel motivating and welcoming while being as accessible to as many people as possible. We were also asked to incorporate the existing brand identity in the interior design, and this formed the basis for our initial schemes. We knew that a tonal palette of blues with some complimentary pops of warmer colours would create the perfect take on a friendly corporate environment.
As accessibility is so important to the identity of the brand, we implemented many different techniques to make the building more accessible without having to do any major building work. This included using colour blocking in the corridors and around doors to assist visually impaired clients navigate the space. In addition, we made a concerted effort to deaden sound in the rooms as large amounts of reverb and echoes can cause overstimulation or make it more difficult for people with hearing loss to use a space.
This project differs from previous charity projects as it was not solely based on Trauma Informed Design. While the Guernsey Employment Trust often help people who have been through hardships, it was important for the space to feel more like a professional office than a therapeutic space. For many people this office will act as an introduction to a modern work environment and therefore is designed to replicate a contemporary workplace.
One of our favourite areas to design was the Dressing Room, an area dedicated to a new service provided by G.E.T. to help people start their professional wardrobe. It was very important that this space where clients could browse through the clothes replicated a boutique shopping experience. A soft teal wallpaper with gold highlights perfectly suited the space. We were also able to utilise the unused display cabinet in the foyer area by adding clothes rails and making it an open wardrobe.
We are so happy we were able to donate some time and materials to the Guernsey Employment Trust. This project was a pleasure to be involved in and we had so much fun exploring creative ways to make a challenging space turn into an accessible and welcoming workplace.
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