Design - COEL

What we Do

At COEL, we thrive on shaping environments that support the way people work, think, and connect.

In a world of evolving technology and changing working practices, a thoughtfully designed workspace can boost productivity, foster collaboration, and reflect a company’s culture and values. Whether you are moving to a new office, reimagining an existing space, or adapting to hybrid work, our design team can help to visualise a workspace that is tailored to the specific needs of your business.

Tell us how we can help

A conference table with eight grey chairs is arranged in a modern office, surrounded by glass partitions and geometric-patterned walls, with suspended ceiling decor and natural light through windows.

A modern office lounge features a teal sectional sofa surrounded by large green plants, beneath a wooden ceiling with a spherical pendant light, next to large windows revealing an outdoor view.

Meeting room with a long white table and gray chairs arranged neatly. Yellow bench seating lines one wall, pendant lights hang overhead, and frosted glass partitions divide the space.

A modern office space features a row of chairs and tables against a blue wall, accompanied by soft lighting and sheer curtains in the background.

Stylish office interior with ergonomic chairs, decorative partition, and modern lighting, part of COEL’s workspace design for Mishcon De Reya.

DESIGNED for
YOUR people

Effective workspace design is more than just representing your brand in a physical space, it’s a strategic blend of aesthetics and functionality, tailored to meet your business goals and the specific needs of your people. From ergonomic furniture and natural lighting to quiet zones and collaborative hubs, every design choice should empower your team to do their best work.

Lab Design Office Design

Four high-back chairs in pastel colors are neatly arranged around a sleek black table in a modern, minimalist room with white walls and a small window.

Modern kitchen area with a gold faucet over a rectangular sink, flanked by a coffee machine and a white vase with foliage. Shelves hold mugs and a potted plant, set against blue tiles.

A round wooden table with chairs sits in front of a wall-mounted TV, surrounded by gray acoustic panels, under a framed abstract art piece and modern light fixture, with indoor plants nearby.

Hanging light fixtures illuminate an indoor space with exposed ductwork and a security camera on the ceiling; a window reveals a brick wall outside.

What We Offer

01.

Briefing

We work with you to understand your design brief and make recommendations as to how to bring your vision to life. This will include surveying the space to determine technical specifications as well understanding design priorities.

02.

Concepts

We explore our inspiration for your space using mood boards and sketches to convey our ideas, as well as developing the story that makes this concept unique to your business.

03.

Visualisation

We create detailed space plans denoting the zones within your new workspace, from collaborative to social and functional, and the flow between them, as well as 3D renders to bring our vision for your future space to life.

04.

Finalisation

We integrate the technical and mechanical and electrical specifications and bring the concepts and detailed plans together, to deliver a final design pack, which informs the build of the finished space.

A person with long dark hair smiles while sitting with hands clasped on a table, wearing a black shirt, against a white background.

Trends such as hybrid working and technology integration, have changed the shape of workspaces for the better.

Instead of thinking what is functionally possible in a space, we think more in terms of how best to maximise employee experience at work. Employees who feel comfortable, supported and inspired are more engaged which means that a well-designed workspace can increase productivity and have a positive impact on business growth.

Katie Oldknow, Head of Design

Sustainability & SCALABILITY

Reducing our impact

With increasing focus on making sustainable choices, we work with our clients to ensure that we are recommending eco-friendly, recycled, or low-emission furniture and materials. Energy efficiency can be an issue, particularly in older buildings, so we will suggest efficient lighting solutions and HVAC systems and integrate SMART technology to monitor usage and offer more zonal controls.

Planning for the future

What is right for your business today might not work for your business as it grows. We recommend modular furniture and adaptable layouts which can evolve with the company. Adequate storage solutions can cater to flexible working patterns and putting in place the right tech infrastructure ensures that you have the systems in place to scale with your team.

“

”

The [COEL] team consistently looks to deliver and overcome any potential obstacles with well-conceived and considered solutions. As a result of the high-spec work that they provided, our client has trusted COEL with a second phase of works in order to replicate these successes.

Jonathan Wright
Partner, Bidwells

FEATURED PROJECTS

Take a look at some of our projects to see how we have helped organisations like yours to increase productivity through inspirational design;

Benefits of a well-DESIGNED workspace

Collaboration

Thoughtful layouts with shared spaces and meeting areas create opportunities for more ‘casual collision’ in the workplace and encourage better communication, teamwork, and innovation.

Wellbeing

Incorporating natural light, ergonomic furniture, and quiet zones promotes physical comfort and mental health, leading to happier, healthier employees.

Efficiency

By reducing distractions and designing your new space to meet the task requirements and diverse needs of your employees, you increase efficiency and overall performance.

Retention

A modern, flexible, and inspiring workspace helps attract top talent and contributes to keeping current employees engaged and loyal.

Need to shed some light on a workspace challenge?

Send us a message and we’ll get back to you asap. Send us a message

Meet THE team

Woman sitting at a white table with hands clasped, wearing a black shirt and a watch, smiling against a plain white background.

A woman stirs a large bowl using a wooden spoon, smiling in a kitchen setting. Cookbooks, such as "Persiana" and "Simply," accompany a jar of Vegemite in the background.

Katie Oldknow

Design | Head of Design

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair is smiling, resting her hands on a table, wearing a black blouse and a smartwatch, against a plain white background.

A woman, smiling and seated, examines a vintage document in a bright setting. Around her are an antique photo of people with horses and an ornate old book.

Fiona Thomas

Design | Senior Interior Designer

A woman with long dark hair sits at a white table, wearing a black shirt and blue necklace, against a plain white background.

A woman holds a purple yoga mat, smiling, seated at a table with a green ball, ab roller, and pink dumbbell on it, set against a plain background.

Greta Miceviciute

Design | Interior Designer

A person with long brown hair, wearing a gray shirt and heart necklace, is smiling and sitting at a white table against a plain background.

A woman in a pink sweater draws on paper at a table with acrylic paints, brushes in a holder, and an abstract painting.

Gemma Noakes

Design | Interior Designer

Smiling woman sits with hands folded on a table, wearing a black and white floral patterned blouse, set against a plain light background.

A woman smiles while holding a dance pose with her arms near a table displaying sparkly high-heeled shoes, against a plain white background.

Louise Seaman

Design | Interior Designer

A person with long dark hair, wearing a black blazer and necklace, sits with hands folded, smiling against a white background.

A woman holds a rolled purple yoga mat and a Pepsi Max can with a straw, smiling against a plain white background.

Annie Smith

Design | Junior Interior Designer

SEE ALL TEAM

Frequently asked
questions

What is workspace design? 01
+ -

Workspace design involves planning and creating functional, aesthetically pleasing, and productive environments for businesses. This includes offices, coworking spaces, retail environments, laboratories and more.

Why is workspace design important for my business? 02
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A bespoke planning and design process, which is tailored to your business goals and employee needs can; boost productivity and increase collaboration, which can in turn improve communication and team morale. Optimising the way you use your space can also reduce overall costs and ensure that you have the space you need to grow.

Can you work with our existing space or do we need to move? 03
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Absolutely! We specialise in redesigning or even completely repurposing existing spaces, as well as designing new ones from scratch. We can help you to optimise your current layout, or help to plan and design your new workspace to the specific needs of your organisation.

How long does the workspace design process take? 04
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Timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. A small office redesign might take a few weeks, while a full-scale fit out could take several months. We will provide a detailed project programme and agree key dates during the planning phase.

What is the cost of a workspace design project? 05
+ -

Costs depend on factors like square footage, design complexity, materials, and furnishings. We provide transparent quotes after the initial consultation and the confirmation of the statement of works, and can tailor solutions to fit a range of budgets.

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