CAE Technology Services HQ, Hertfordshire

CAE engaged Woodhouse to design their brand new headquarters in Hemel Hempstead. As well as an office space for 180 resident and visiting staff, this space was to be the main location for meeting clients and demonstrating what CAE does best: a case study for technology as soon as a visitor crosses the threshold.

To achieve a workspace with the wow factor, Woodhouse recommended implementing its workspace strategy. This is a four-stage model that provides a roadmap to an optimised workspace that suits each individual organisation. The four stages are: strategy, design, delivery and evaluation.

After the initial phase Woodhouse had enough information to start developing the future workspace strategy and a project plan. Our research showed that staff felt there was a strong, positive culture at CAE, but that they would value more opportunities to collaborate and interact with different teams on a professional and social level.

At the same time, the research also showed that many found the current open plan environment too noisy. There was a strong demand from most teams to be more flexible in where they sit and to be able to sit and mix with other teams. It was also clear from the research that provision needed to be made for a significant number of staff who worked in the field or at other offices. They needed hassle-free spaces to work when they visited and to be able collaborate with colleagues.

Using this information, they designed concepts for the different work typologies and created 3D computerised walkthroughs (as shown below) to really start scoping out how the different workspace typologies would fit together in the new CAE building. They worked closely with the CAE project team to develop and deliver a space that would really work for them.