Reimagining the Smiths News Workplace Environment
Smiths News had outgrown the limitations of its long-standing office. While the building was familiar and much-loved by the team, it no longer reflected the business’s brand, culture or evolving ways of working. The team explored other office locations, but nothing quite felt right. So, they made the strategic choice to stay and reimagine the space they already knew.
The aim: create a modern, flexible workplace that would foster collaboration, boost wellbeing and proudly represent the brand’s print heritage, all without the cost and disruption of a full relocation. Appointed after a rigorous competitive tender, APSS was chosen not just for our delivery capability, but because we already understood the client’s ambitions and had a strong working relationship with the design team.
Ready to transform your office environment? Let's get started.
Revitalise Your Workspace
A well-designed office space has an impact on productivity, morale and office culture. It can be the difference between attracting the great staff your business needs to thrive or them leaving because they have found a better environment elsewhere. As specialists in office refurbishments, APSS guides you through the process, transforming your existing workspace into a modern, efficient and inspiring environment.
The Challenge
Transforming the Smiths News head office in just 10 weeks meant every detail needed to be spot on. From developing early design concepts with the Smiths News team through to fast, flexible delivery on site.
Working to a tight programme, in a live office environment, APSS had to:
- Respect and realise the intended design vision
- Maintain smooth communication between all parties
- Adapt quickly to onsite challenges, without ever losing momentum
- Minimise disruption to the business
It wasn’t just a cosmetic upgrade. It was a complete rethink of how the space worked — and how it could better serve the people using it every day.
“Working with APSS has been a great experience all round. The team were respectful of the intended design and were able to develop, detail and build it in alignment with our vision.
They met an extremely tight programme and pushed through with resolve and resilience to create a project the client and design team are proud of.”
Blair Boyle, Associate and Workplace Designer, Savills
The Result
The transformed workspace now puts people and collaboration at the centre of Smiths News’ operations. A brand-new social hub was introduced at the heart of the office by reconfiguring the layout and unlocking access to a previously unused external atrium. This space, anchored by a relocated teapoint, has become the go-to area for informal conversations, cross-team connection and downtime — helping to break down silos and bring teams closer together.
Meeting rooms, call pods and collaboration areas have been added throughout the space, offering flexibility and choice for different working styles. Visually, the fit out proudly reflects Smiths News’ legacy, with vibrant CMYK colours and ink blot design elements paying tribute to its roots in print. The Smiths News team now has the future-ready workplace they were looking for — without needing to move an inch.
