Following a period of expansion, Kay Johnson Gee (KJG), part of the leading business advisory and accountancy practise, Xeinadin Group, was looking to create a new flagship office in Manchester city centre which would provide a contemporary workplace where its growing team could continue to thrive. Taking 8,000 sq.ft of space on the 8th floor at 100 Barbirolli Square, arguably one of the city’s best-connected buildings, KJG appointed ADT Workplace to develop an office design fit for its forward-thinking business.
Office design vision
KJG wanted its Manchester office to accommodate the ever-changing needs of its people and their working habits, to help the business drive forward with its ambitious growth plans. The office design needed to be elegant and timeless yet friendly and welcoming, and offer a range of agile workplace settings to support modern ways of working.
As well as agile settings, the design also needed to include allocated desk space, a number of private offices, and a range of meeting rooms varying in size. It was also crucial that the new workplace incorporated areas to house central Xeinadin Group teams including marketing, finance, and IT, as well as flexible space to allow for future growth.
Workplace transformation
Upon entering the office, visitors are greeted by a welcoming reception area that boasts bespoke joinery and a feature wall displaying Xeinadin Group branding. Adjacent to this is a comfortable waiting lounge, thoughtfully designed to provide visitors with a relaxed and inviting space. The lounge features ergonomic furniture, a coffee-bar and stylish touches such as decorative prints, ambient lighting and a colour scheme that aligns with Xeinadin’s corporate yet contemporary identity.
Situated directly behind this welcome area are two versatile meeting rooms, cleverly separated by reconfigurable wall panels. The innovative floor-to-ceiling partition allows for quick and easy adjustments to the room layout, allowing it to open up to offer a large, flexible space to accommodate events, training and larger meetings. Adaptable and moveable furniture, large windows which provide an abundance of natural light and unbeatable views of the city’s skyline, adjustable screens and the integration of the latest tech, all contribute to the creation of an agile, collaborative and inspiring environment.
Moving into the core workspace, there are nine private offices located off the central corridor, providing employees with a designated space for confidential work and private meetings. In addition, there are two single-person pods equipped with the latest technology, offering further bookable private space for focussed and quiet work or video calls. All meeting spaces throughout the office pay homage to Manchester’s iconic culture and history with names including ‘Hacienda’ and ‘Lowry’.
At the heart of the office lies a vibrant breakout area that serves as a central point for colleagues to collaborate, connect and relax. This dynamic space features comfortable booths, a range of seating options and a well-equipped kitchen and coffee bar. It not only fosters interaction, but also doubles up as an agile and informal workspace for the team. Located in the core of the building with views overlooking 100 Barbirolli Square’s central atrium, which is encased by glass windows and spans the full height of the building, the breakout area is flooded with natural light and provides a space with the wow factor for the team.
The remainder of the office comprises an open plan working area, which accommodates the majority of the team. This area not only provides traditional desk space, but also includes secure storage facilities. Biophilic elements, feature walls which showcase city skylines and incorporate Xeinadin’s values and branding, combined with views of the atrium and Manchester’s skyline, all support the aesthetic appeal of the new workplace.
Commenting on the new office, Alex White, Managing Partner – North West said: “We had a desire to create a modern, collaborative and welcoming environment for both the KJG team and the wider group. ADT Workplace has delivered on all of these and we now have an office team members want to work from and which projects the core values and vision of the Xeinadin group.”