The client

With operations in more than 60 countries, AMFRESH Group has a consolidated presence in the production and innovation of fresh and natural foods including fresh fruit, plant-based foods and flowers. 

The brief 

Having worked for AMFRESH UK on a previous project in Peterborough, we were engaged to work alongside their existing fit-out company to plan, source and supply the furniture for their new office within their brand-new warehouse facility in Alconbury Weald, Cambridgeshire.

This included open plan office space, meeting rooms, boardroom, reception, canteen, breakout, training areas, community space, wellness room, occupational health suite and locker rooms.

Key challenges

The project manager changed part way through the project and the requirements also changed, with cost being a core factor. We adapted quickly and worked hard on site to ensure that the impact on the client – and overall project – were minimal. 

Our approach

Analysing client needs
The fit-out company provided the space plan for the offices. We then consulted with AMFRESH UK as to their staff capacity and how they wanted to use the space. 

Maintaining consistency
Their brief was to keep the furniture and look and feel consistent with the Peterborough office. This meant that we needed to maintain the same core furniture, whist updating some of the furnishings in line with more modern or newly available textiles. 

Keen sense of brand
They also wanted to keep the colours close to their brand colours, creating a keen sense of brand when entering the space. We chose varying tones of green and blue for that reason. Relaxed seating areas feature pops of brighter blue and green to add additional touches of colour throughout. The green and blue colour scheme follows through to kitchen chairs and desk dividers.

Planning the space
We reviewed the space plan to understand which spaces had already been defined and where there was room for us to define new spaces to complement the way in which AMFRESH UK planned to use their offices.

Maximising space
The meeting rooms etc were already in place so we recommended meeting furniture which would complement the space. After hearing that they often struggled for meeting space, we also recommended that they install smaller meeting pods and a more relaxed collaboration space. 

Flexible meeting space
Meeting pods are a soundproof solution to create extra space and privacy without dramatically impacting the floorplan. They are also an excellent solution for staying connected to offsite workers.

We were able to choose textiles for the internal walls of the pods in branded colours, as well as using a contrasting darker blue for the exterior walls, which makes a strong statement in the space. This also serves to divide the room, creating separation for a collaborative space. 

Space to collaborate
Since AMFRESH’s employees are not always on site, it was important to create a separate space for collaboration when in the office. We installed a high table and more casual high stools, to encourage collaboration in a more relaxed setting. 

Practical considerations
Project planning was a key requirement to ensure that we worked closely with the main contractor to ensure our timelines aligned with the primary project plan.

We provided advice on the health & safety requirements related to the furniture installation and provided practical advice on optimal power and data positions based on the furniture installation plan.

Sustainable solutions
Wherever possible, we recommend furniture with recycled/recyclable content. For AMFRESH, this included;

• Tauro Tasks chairs by Boss Recycled Content 32.69% / Recyclable Content 96.58%
• Ola Café Chairs by Boss Recycled Content 46.47% / Recyclable Content 60.13%
• Newton Soft Seating by Sixteen3 Recycled Content 12% / Recyclable Content 98%

The outcome

The project was completed before the handover with the main contractor, and we were able to meet the client’s budget demands, whilst delivering to the original brief. 

What the client thought…

“We have worked with COEL on previous projects and found them to be extremely responsive and accommodating. The standard of products and of service have always met or exceeded our expectations. We could not recommend them more highly.” 
Allison Miller, Head of HR, AMFRESH UK