Sussex Innovation Centre Sector: Co-working services Creating a collaborative, creative workplace and an ongoing feeling of community The Sussex Innovation Centre (SINC) is a business incubation network providing support services and access to professional networks for businesses and entrepreneurs. SINC provides office space for start-ups and scale-ups across the South East, from their headquarters at the University of Sussex in Brighton. Brief With the rise of modern co-working spaces in the Southeast & London, Sussex Innovation Centre embarked on a year-long refurbishment plan to update their current campus building. With innovation at their heart, they required a modern environment built on communication and technology to bridge the gap between the corporate businesses and start-up entrepreneurs. With growing competition in the co-working sector, they wanted to maintain a community feel and to attract new members. We were asked to provide initial interior design concepts which complemented the values and community feel of the centre as well as meeting the needs of the centre staff and business tenants. The main brief was to create a place for co-working, inclusion and a space for different types of businesses, start-ups and people to benefit from and share ideas. Solutions Bisley delivered a complete furniture package from initial designs through staff focus groups, to furniture procurement and installation. Furniture supplied included office desking, height adjustable ergonomic desks, task chairs, cupboards, personal lockers, post lockers, reception seating, touchdown furniture, meeting rooms and break-out soft seating. Results The furniture solutions have given the centre staff and tenant the opportunity to leave their offices and share meeting & social spaces across the building. Communication has improved and businesses are working together to create an entrepreneurial community of like-minded people. Working with SINC from the beginning of the project was a huge benefit to Bisley as it allowed us time to truly understand the client requirements and focus on staff and tenant feedback. As a turnkey ‘one stop shop’ supplier, we helped SINC to provide an exciting co-working space in Brighton for the Science & Technology business community. “ The furniture works extremely well and ensures that we are keeping the centre modern, whilst utilising agile working to aid cross tenant conversations and business partnerships. We’ve had great feedback from our staff and tenants, with many of the tenants now deciding to update their own office spaces within the centre” HELEN NORTHEAST, CENTRE FACILITIES MANAGER
