KI furniture creates agile, flexible workspace at Paramount Pictures UK HQ

KI has helped film production giant Paramount Pictures create an agile, flexible new workspace at their stunning new UK headquarters. Drenched in natural light, the offices are spread over two floors at the Rogers Stirk Harbour-designed Chiswick Park complex and also accommodate Paramount’s subsidiary, United International Pictures. Throughout the floorplan, staff and visitors can enjoy views of the adjacent green space and lake, and sweeping views across London.

Working alongside office furniture supplier Rapid Office, Paramount Pictures selected KI’s UK designed and manufactured workstations, tables, storage, workwalls and breakout screening, enhanced by a palette of 12 colours from Camira’s Lucia fabric range. The vibrant combination of blues, purples, greens and beige have been used to differentiate departments.

Incorporating a balanced approach to worker wellbeing, organisational culture and budget, the vibrant new facilities also needed to mirror Paramount’s brand identity while also setting the stage for the team to thrive. This is why adaptability and ease of reconfiguration was a core requirement within Paramount’s workplace strategy, in order to support project-based working. Staff from various departments come together to work on a particular film release, creating temporary clusters which will disperse and reform around the next project. True to its ‘market of one’ philosophy, KI adapted its Work2 Sit-Stand single desk to meet Paramount’s unique requirements. A modified, leg-mounted screen which doubles as a modesty panel was engineered, allowing these standalone single desks to be used in any location around the floor, conveniently forming back-to-back rows of benches, whenever and wherever required.

Mark Furmston, Facilities Manager at Paramount Pictures UK comments: "The nature of film releases creates an unusual, dynamic way of working at Paramount Pictures. This raises a number of interesting challenges for our workplace strategy - traditional space planning, power supply and furniture design had to be reassessed in order to facilitate this hybrid of fixed and highly reconfigurable office landscapes. Working together with Rapid Office and KI, we were able to achieve our vision for a modern office, fit for purpose and on brand. In addition to looking great, the new offices enhance our team’s wellbeing, which is important for our employer branding, both now and into the future."

These desks were specified in a combination of retrofittable fixed height and powered sit-stand versions, allowing Paramount to upgrade extra desks in situ, to full sit-stand capability gradually over time. Some have been fitted with returns, and KI’s 800 Series mobile pedestals have been specified to provide personal storage in the agile environment. Executive office areas feature workwalls with overhead storage, 800 Series pedestals and cupboards, and Work2 Sit-Stand desks with modesty panels. Finished in dark walnut and white, these spaces are elegant and complement the views over nature outside the generous glazed exterior of the building.

Mark Furmston continues: "The future-proofing capability of KI’s Work2 Sit-Stand was a particularly interesting attribute for us. Being able to retrofit rather than replace our workstations to provide full sit-stand functionality, one desk at a time, will help us spread the cost of this investment. It will also allow us to provide it on a case by case basis to those who wish to benefit from this kind of agile working."

Punctuating the open plan workspace is KI’s Breakout, a stackable modular third space system, used as wrap screening around printers. Enhancing acoustic planning and aesthetics, these units also complement the desk screens of their associated departments, breaking up the neutral landscape with bursts of colour. Drawers and cupboards from KI’s 800 Series Storage are also located at the end of desk rows and throughout the space, providing extra general storage.

Meet4 column base tables were selected for meeting rooms and collaborative spaces, including social hubs where staff and visitors alike can come together. They provide the perfect collaborative platform for impromptu, short term gatherings. Andrew Cheek, Sales Account Manager, Rapid Office says: "Having a reliable, experienced local manufacturing partner was essential to deliver the right solution for Paramount Pictures. Rapid Office has worked with KI on numerous projects over the years, each of which have benefited from their unique collaborative approach to product development, as well as efficient installation and ongoing customer service. As a leading office furniture supplier, we always feel confident that KI will be able to help us get it right for our customers."

David Venables, KI’s Sales Director – Workplace, concludes: "This project is a great example of how KI works with its customers to create a tailored, unique solution, that can help deliver a happy, healthy, high performing working environment. Paramount’s workplace strategy has produced an office landscape that not only is aesthetically pleasing but also champions staff wellbeing by providing a variety of productive work settings, perfectly suited to their unique working culture."

About Work2 Sit-Stand
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Work2 sit-stand range features the latest technology in powered sit-stand actuator design with a built in obstruction sensor mechanism. It is available as a back-to-back, linked bench, single desk or meeting tables, making it suitable for multiple applications including open plan, executive suites and meeting rooms. Its complete design cohesion with KI’s portfolio of screens, storage and third space systems, including Work2 cantilever benches, helps create a functional and aesthetically harmonious office landscape.

About 800 Series Storage
KI’s 800 Series is the storage solution of choice for many of the world’s most respected organisations. Widely regarded as the best on the market, it is designed and manufactured in the UK with 25 year warranties. Cleverly designed and built to last, they combine quality with the latest technology to create optimised, space efficient and user-friendly lockers, lateral files, cupboards, waste units, pedestals, and more. Available in a plethora of dimensions and finishes, combinations, locking options and enhancements, they are a fundamental component of a happy, healthy, high performing workspace.

About Meet4
Tables Meet4 is a comprehensive range of tables for all applications, including column base, 4 leg, flip-top nesting and large teaming & collaborative tables. Available in numerous shapes, sizes and finishes, they are designed and manufactured in the UK and integrated perfectly with KI’s full portfolio of workplace furniture.

About Breakout
Breakout® makes diversifying the open office landscape simple. This innovative modular third space system can enhance acoustic planning, wellbeing and productivity, without compromising space efficiency. Designed and manufactured in the UK, it is formed of a series of reconfigurable upholstered panels and optional integrated accessories. Breakout’s streamlined inventory of components can be assembled into a variety of heights and configurations, either standalone or seamlessly integrated with KI’s range of workstations and storage systems. About Workwall KI’s workwall is a modular system that combines with workstations and storage to create elegant and functional workspaces against office walls. Additional options such as upholstery, power and lighting can be added. Custom designed and manufactured in the UK, Workwall is ideal for executive and cellular offices.

About Rapid Office
Established in 1980 Rapid office are an Independent leading Office and Interiors specialist, offering the highest quality of service whilst creating exceptional working environments.
For more information visit: www.rapidoffice.co.uk