CLIENT
Fortrea
DESIGN
DLA + IKON
LOCATION
Leeds, UK
COMPLETED
2023
In their move to the innovative hub of Holbeck, Leeds, clinical trial management organization, Fortrea were consolidating two previous office spaces to create a centre of excellence in life-sciences. TFP was brought onto the retrofit project to source and procure furniture for all areas of the multi-functional headquarters at Drapers Yard.
With furniture required for clinical, office and recreational areas, TFP were tasked with creating a functionally diverse package. The team sourced all furniture, from height-adjustable clinic beds to office desks.
Stringent clinical requirements were kept front-of-mind, while the team also carried through a consistent design intent across all spaces - working closely with two separate design practices, DLA and Ikon, handling office and healthcare spaces to ensure the look and feel of the project was maintained throughout.
The new space represented a significant update for Fortrea. Modernised finishes - such as raw steel frames on desking were chosen, both to reflect the company’s refreshed brand, as well as to represent their clinical work.
As future-facing innovators, sustainability was also a key criterion for Fortrea. We prioritised local procurement and the use of British suppliers, such as Boss Design and NaughtOne, and specified key pieces that used recycled materials, including the Humanscale Liberty Ocean Chair, Andreu World Nuez chairs and the Fredericia Pato Collection.
Working closely with the client to fully understand the purpose of specific furniture, we collaborated with suppliers to produce bespoke pieces with optimal functionality.
In the recruitment centre, bespoke desks were made with acoustic materials to provide the best possible space for outgoing phone calls. Ensuring that visitors felt at home in the volunteer recreational space was a key priority.
As a result, the furniture specified reflected this, and bespoke seating was developed with custom foam padding to provide unparalleled comfort. In the employee work areas, we achieved a 100% sit-stand desk offering within the client’s budget compared to the 20% allowance estimated by the existing team, bringing the company’s working environment firmly up to date and maximising modes of working for Fortrea employees.
