As we reflect on 2021 and what we’ve been able to accomplish this year despite the many challenges we’ve been faced with, we’ve realised that staying true to our mission and values is what really helped us to thrive despite the pandemic.

Throughout the year, we’ve been able to help our clients meet the challenges of this time head on, our team has adapted to the changes our company faced, we’ve recruited new team members and proved that commercial design & build will continue to be a thriving sector of construction.

Whether in a big way or small, it was an honour to help our clients navigate unprecedented times this year. And as 2021 comes to an end, we are proud to say that in a year full of uncertainty, we have accomplished a lot together and learned a ton !

None it would have been possible though without our team, our partners, our suppliers and above all, our clients – the ones that believed in us when a big part of the world thought that the office was dead.

The Return to the Office – The Big Readaptation

Over the past 2 years, we’ve certainly noticed a huge shift in the way we work and relate to our workplace environments.

2021 was still a learning curve for us all.

From reconsidering the way we design our physical offices to developing new flexible policies, this year meant for us adapting our offering to reflect the ever changing needs.

We have watched our clients completely transform the way they work and the way they invest in their workplaces and their employees wellbeing.

We have redesigned their spaces to cater for different needs, from an increased demand in private focus spaces to breakout areas, office gyms and collaboration zones.

Here’s what our designers have to say about how the return to work was influenced by the pandemic:

“I think the pandemic has placed office design at a real turning point and it’s an exciting time to see, and implement, changes to how we work. The last year and a half have led many to re-evaluate quality of life and work/life balance and office design needs to respond to this. As hybrid working becomes the new normal, the office needs to offer a home from home space that encourages the collaboration and socialising many miss working from home. I think office design will adapt further to give the power to employees to choose how best they work, and in what environment and as designers, we need to listen.” – Hannah McVittie, Interior Designer

We think Hannah managed to summarise very well our attempts this year to reshape the way we work and continue to adjust to the ever changing needs of our clients.

“Clearly the pandemic has made people stop and think about the purpose of the office. People and organisations are now having to navigate the balance between home and office based working. I believe it has given people the freedom of choice and organisations are figuring out how to entice their colleagues back into the office.

People are expecting more from the office as some people will need a greater push to come back , now more than ever.

Therefore, I think some of the biggest trends we will see off the back of the pandemic are more collaborative settings and wellbeing gaining priority for employees.

I think we will see an increase in the wellbeing offering in offices such as retreat spaces, in house gyms, cycle parking and showers to encourage people to cycle or walk to work, as well as investment in healthy buildings. I think more organisations will see the value of investing in the WELL building standard or Fitwel Certification to help them create a great space for their people.” – Lucy Spencer, Lead Designer

· A Big Thank You to Our Clients

Even though the country saw many offices closing their doors for months, we are happy to have been part of their grand reopening.

So this is to say thank you for letting us be part of your journey this year, and beyond.

Check out some of our projects from 2021:

UK Coaching / Leeds – March 2021

UK Coaching went from a 12,000 sqft premises, to a much smaller floorplate that had to work much harder for the business. Teams were previously disjointed and split across multiple floors, but the new environment brings teams together in a central and agile hub promoting collaboration and activity-based working.

Through a series of interactive design workshops with UK Coaching, our workplace specialists were able to identify exactly how employees needed to use their space to assist us in creating a supportive and engaging environment. This holistic approach allowed us to design and deliver a bespoke concept that supports all employees and their activities. The new open plan workspace is agile and flexible, featuring a balance of fixed desk space, private meeting rooms, collaborative tables, breakout booths and a breakfast bar. Special features include a stadium-inspired auditorium for group meetings and presentations, and a running track around the office space to facilitate walking meetings and encourage movement at work.

Bellway Homes / Durham – October 2021

We were delighted to be selected by Bellway Homes as their partner of choice to design and deliver their new Durham HQ at Rainton Bridge Business Park. Through our workplace consultancy service, we made it our business to understand the DNA of Bellway Homes Durham and how they operate to ensure our design was not only sustainable and stylish, but also functional and future-proofed.

Through our space planning and interior design services, we created an on brand space with clearly defined zones to support each key function within the business. Other key features such as the herringbone flooring, full height walnut veneer doors and crittall-style glazing give the space a luxurious feel and create an environment which the team are proud to work in. Our furniture team selected a range of ergonomic furniture pieces to support them with day to day tasks whilst boosting the wellbeing and usability of the space.

Working with clients who share a vision of a more sustainable future for us all was equally inspiring and we have tried to include greener design choices as often as we saw an opportunity.

Rise at Seven / Sheffield – November 2021

When we were approached by Rise at Seven to design their second office in one of the most vibrant areas in Sheffield City Centre, we knew this will turn into one of the most creative and inspiring places to work in the city.

The new Rise at Seven HQ has been transformed into a branded interior that houses all of the features and equipment the extended team needs, along with an office cinema, a fully functioning bar, a video studio, ergonomic workstations, a conference room and a truly incredible social area overlooking the city’s skyline.

By introducing beautiful biophilic elements such as blossom trees, artificial green living walls and plenty of office storage planters, we have managed to bring life, colour and energy and create a workplace that feels less like an office and more like an agile space where employees feel motivated and inspired.

· A Massive Thank You to Our Team

As the year unfolded, we have come to realise that team work, and in person collaboration between colleagues is the glue that holds workplaces together – it’s how you come up with new ideas, how you learn and connect.

And this is what life at Absolute is all about.

“What a challenging year ! …. COVID pandemic and staff changes have shaped Absolute in both good and also challenging ways. We have literally built a new team in the midst of a global pandemic, which I’m pleased to say have strengthened our offering and allowed us to focus our resources on a proactive sales drive via marketing and targeted sales.

We have developed our design consultancy offering which allows us to find end users through chats and via collaboration.

I am very optimistic for 2022 (COVID allowing) and looking forward to the fundamentally new team developing Absolute’s position in both existing and new markets.

GO TEAM ABSOLUTE ! SO PROUD !! “ – Phil Brown – Absolute CEO

Throughout the year, we have introduced several amazing new team members and introduced them to our clients. These leaders have a deep knowledge of building best-in-class design and strategies to reshape the way our clients work, so in this evolution, expect to see a redefined strategy for 2022.