Techniquest has undergone a transformation of its working environment, thanks to the support of local interior-company Momentum.
Historically the Cardiff-based charity’s team was split over two floors but with the new Science Capital project imminently needing the ground floor to be demolished as part of its build, it was the perfect time for a change.
It was agreed that a new vibrant and dynamic workspace was needed to provide a collaborative and more flexible and inviting space for everyone. This would involve a new way of working, shared spaces, where possible, as well as areas for the whole team to come together and work as one.
With pro bono support and furniture donations from Cardiff-based Momentum, who have previously worked with United Welsh Housing Association and Development Bank of Wales, Techniquest has overhauled its working environment to accommodate a 50% increase in capacity.
The new workspace includes hot desk facilities for 33 people, a communal eating and relaxing space, drop down spaces to plug-in laptops on the move, a brand-new kitchen to encourage colleagues to come together and dedicated meeting rooms for all eventualities.
This makeover allows Techniquest’s 41 strong team with the flexibility a 21st century office environment fit for the working patterns of today.
It is the latest cultural transformation for Techniquest as part of its wider Science Capital project.
As part of the project, furniture not needed anymore by the charity was recycled or offered free of charge to Techniquest’s corporate and community contact, and then opened up to the public via social media. Many people and businesses have benefited from the furniture including start-up businesses in mid Wales and communities in Cardiff.
In sourcing its carpet for its new look space, Techniquest partnered with Greenstream Flooring CIC, a unique social enterprise based in the South Wales Valleys working throughout the UK to divert and supply new and re-used commercial flooring for the benefit of the community.
Lesley Kirkpatrick, CEO of Techniquest said: “I can’t thank Momentum enough for providing pro-bono design and consultancy support throughout the project, providing free project management services and even donating items of furniture to us. I’d also like to thank Lee Wakemans’ Tom Woodward who was part of the project team and shared experiences of previous projects which was really useful.
“This workplace transformation has been a huge team effort, with everyone getting stuck in – from taking down furniture, selling old furniture or sourcing new items. Our events manager Gareth went above and beyond and arranged for us to donate eight bags of Easter eggs to social enterprise Greenstream Florring CIC in exchange for carpet tiles which was very in-keeping with our ethos of being creative at all times and in aid of a worthy cause!
“All of this has helped us to build a new workplace and culture that is measured on delivery of outcomes and not on hours worked in the office or presenteeism.”
Momentum supply contemporary quality furniture and design for projects ranging from modern workspaces, high-end hotels and leisure, innovative education spaces to residential designs.
Nicole Daniels, Director at Momentum, said: “Techniquest is important to Cardiff and significant to us personally. We were proud to dedicate our time to a local project on home turf, unique to Wales.
“We feel it’s important to spend time on projects where we can add value without considering profits, and we were up for the challenge of working to a strict budget because seeing the end result is always really rewarding. We love design and we love what we do and more importantly we care about our customers and the goals they hope to achieve, now and longer term. It’s just what we do.
“Techniquest have now achieved the increase in capacity they required and can now accommodate flexible working through the new office layout and increased technology.”