Workplace Strategy
& Brief Building
We work with leadership teams and their people to build a culture-led brief that reflects the whole organisation, and not just the view from the boardroom. We work with leadership teams and their people to build a culture-led brief that reflects the whole organisation.
Before a layout is drawn or a material is selected, we invest time in understanding how your organisation truly works. Your culture, your people, your ways of working and your long-term ambitions. Culture-led office design begins here, with the thinking that most workplace projects never make time for.
Through structured working groups, staff surveys and leadership sessions, we surface the real requirements of your organisation. The people who will use the space every day have a voice in shaping it, creating genuine buy-in before a design decision is made.
The output of this stage is a clear, aligned brief that gives your design and delivery team a solid foundation to build from. Stakeholders are aligned, expectations are set and the project has the clarity it needs to move forward with confidence.
Great workplaces start with the right brief.
By the time most organisations sit down to write a brief, budgets have been set, designers have been appointed and leadership assumptions have hardened into decisions. The brief becomes a record of what has already been agreed, rather than a genuine exploration of what the organisation needs. A culture-led approach to office design starts much earlier, with a structured investment in understanding people, behaviours and ways of working before a single design decision is made.
At Spectrum, the brief is where we begin. It is the most important document in any workplace project, because when it is right, everything that follows is built on solid ground.
Workplaces built around people.
Every project we deliver starts with understanding your organisation, your culture, your people. The spaces we create are well-designed, well-used and still working well years after handover.
“Partnering with Spectrum Workplace was a game-changer for us. Being based in New York, delivering projects abroad can be challenging, but the Spectrum team made the process seamless. Their designers guided us through every aspect of the design, and their project manager provided consistent weekly updates, and even delivered the project a week ahead of schedule!”
“What we liked about Spectrum was the track record they’ve got. Some of the spaces they’ve designed elsewhere we really liked the look of. We like the fact that it’s kind of an all-in-one shop in that we are just dealing with one organisation. They’re then dealing with all of the trades for us.”
“From my standpoint, it is extremely difficult to manage a London buildout from the United States but, fortunately, we had the guidance and dedication of the Spectrum Workplace team. You did a phenomenal job with our project. Challenges were met with positivity and solutions found swiftly. Our aggressive timeline was met, all while keeping budget in mind. We love our space! Thank you!”
“We partnered with the Spectrum team on the design journey for our Guildford studio, transforming our recording studios, staff deli, meeting areas, and collaboration zones. Not only did they deliver truly exceptional design ideas, but they also proved to be an outstanding project management partner on site.
Since completion, we’ve had Spectrum back to support additional smaller enhancements to the space — a testament to the trust and confidence we have in their work.”
“We enjoyed working with Spectrum Workplace on the design and refurbishment of our offices in Kennington Park in London. Their expert advice helped create an office that we are really proud of and consequently has boosted our staff productivity.”
“Working with Spectrum the expectations from the business were exceptionally high. However, as we sit and as we walk around the building today and have a look around you will clearly see it reflects exactly what it is we wanted to achieve. Working with the team has just been seamless, nothing is too small or too large in terms of our expectations and I seriously cannot fault what you guys have done as a team.
What it’s also done for the staff morale is actually lifted the morale within the business because they’re very proud now in terms of having such a beautiful building.”
“Working with Spectrum has been not just a pleasure from start to finish throughout the project but Spectrum helped us realise what our vision was for our headquarters today; where our employees can be happy, where they can feel proud of where they come to work every day.”
“Throughout our whole engagement, the key to this project was striking the right balance between professionalism and warmth. Every design decision was made to support both the client experience and the day-to-day needs of the teams working there.”
“We’ve gone from a tired, underused and dark space to a modern, open and inclusive space that will help with collaboration. It also provides a really positive work atmosphere.”
“The new headquarters for Pelham Laboratories in Waterlooville was designed to combine modern office space with a fully equipped R&D laboratory. The fit-out introduced client-facing areas, open-plan workspaces, and a breakout zone to enhance staff comfort. With a focus on sustainable finishes and professional presentation, the design reflects Pelham’s brand standards while supporting productivity and growth within the cosmetics industry.”
“As a showcase office in King’s Cross, this project for Checkatrade was designed not only to enhance talent attraction and performance but also to create a powerful client-facing environment. The reception and breakout areas provide a welcoming first impression, while the bold brand colours and high-energy sales floor reinforce the company’s dynamic culture. Meeting rooms were planned to host clients in a professional yet vibrant setting, giving visitors a clear sense of the brand’s ambition and values.”
“Spectrum helped us reconfigure our new workspace and it looks fabulous. Their expertise and support made the process much easier and a less stressful process than anticipated. All members of the team were professional and helpful. We are so pleased with the results and highly recommend them.”
“We are absolutely delighted with the recent refurbishment of our Learning Centres, completed by Spectrum. From the very beginning, the team demonstrated a level of professionalism and care that exceeded our expectations.”
“The Manchester office for Compass Associates was designed to reflect the same strong brand identity established in their Portsmouth HQ, while also creating a workplace that enhanced wellbeing and supported growth. The design introduced a new breakout space, upgraded meeting rooms, and flexible workstations, ensuring the office could adapt to the needs of both staff and clients. Careful attention was given to consistency in style and detail, while also bringing in fresh elements to suit the new location.”
“From the very first conversation, Spectrum completely understood our vision and brought it to life with creativity, professionalism, and an incredible attention to detail.”
“The new office for RiskFirst was designed to accommodate their expanding team and provide a platform for collaboration. The scheme delivered a bold and creative design with a strong ‘wow’ factor, while incorporating new working spaces such as informal collaboration zones, and a vibrant breakout area.”
“The team at Spectrum have been a pleasure to work with, from first design ideas to the finished product. Approaching the design of our new office space, without any of our own ideas, Hannah was able to understand our vision of the environment we wanted for our employees and clients and delivered a plan that was beyond our expectations. The construction team kept us well informed and updated on progress, giving us regular walkthroughs as the project developed.
“At the final unveiling of the office, we were amazed at how similar the finished product was to the original images and renders produced at the design stage – it was like walking round the virtual tour!
“A huge thank you to the whole team from Spectrum on delivering us a beautiful new head office, one we can be proud of for some time to come.”
“I would be happy to recommend Spectrum as a trusted workplace partner for any project.”
“The design of Southern Co-op’s headquarters was always about one thing: its people.
The new activity-based working environment replaces outdated, cluttered spaces with flexible settings that support collaboration, wellbeing and social connection.
Central to our design is a central hub inspired by the Co-op logo, creating a strong sense of identity and cultural inclusion. My favourite part is the bespoke teapoint made from recycled materials, celebrating their Cobra Coffee brand and Southern Co-op’s sustainability values.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we bring Spectrum in?
The earlier the better. If you are exploring options, considering a relocation or questioning whether your current workplace is working, that is the right time to start a conversation.
What does the brief building process involve?
The brief building process involves leadership sessions, staff surveys and working groups that build a clear, aligned brief reflecting your people, culture and long-term ambitions.
How long does the strategy and brief building stage take?
The strategy and brief building stage typically takes several weeks, moving at a pace that suits your organisation. Thorough, but without creating unnecessary delay.
Do we need to have a space in mind before starting?
You do not need to have a space in mind before starting. Many clients engage us before a property decision has been made. We can support building selection as part of the strategy stage.
What makes Spectrum's approach different to a traditional workplace consultant?
Spectrum’s approach is different to a traditional workplace consultant because we facilitate, align and stay. Our strategy work is fully integrated with the design and delivery stages that follow, so the thinking we develop together is never lost.
