This project was delivered for African Adventures, a unique travel company dedicated to transforming lives through impactful volunteer experiences across Ghana, Kenya, and Zanzibar.
The relocation involved moving from a single-storey leased office in Eastleigh to a newly acquired, modern two-storey building located in Solent Business Park, Whiteley. What began as a straightforward relocation evolved into a more comprehensive project, with additional works introduced to optimise the use of space, enhance natural light, and elevate the overall aesthetic of the environment.
The design brief was to create a light, fresh, and open-plan environment that reflected the natural textures and tones of the African landscape. We paired clean, modern finishes with earthy, wood-inspired elements to evoke a sense of connection to the regions where African Adventures operates.
The design also incorporated existing architectural features that fell outside the original scope, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious finish.
Functionally, the space needed to support a mix of open-plan and cellular working, encourage collaboration, and accommodate video conferencing, breakout areas, and a shower room. Our client had a clear vision for the final aesthetic, and we worked closely together to select materials and finishes that brought that vision to life.
The result is a thoughtfully curated blend of old and new, delivering a warm, grounded, and visually engaging workspace.
First Floor:
Designed to support open-plan working for the current team, with flexibility for future growth. This level features two spacious meeting rooms equipped with video conferencing facilities, a bright and airy boardroom, and a compact one-person pod ideal for focused work, private calls, or virtual meetings. The tea point was reconfigured for improved efficiency and finished with a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Second Floor:
Previously dominated by cellular offices and a wide corridor that underutilised the available space, this floor was opened up to unlock its full potential. Enhancements included a new tea point, a bespoke poseur table, and a relaxed, collaborative working area designed to encourage informal interaction and creativity.
Finishes & Systems:
Across both floors, we installed durable LVT flooring in the main office and breakout areas for practicality, complemented by carpet in meeting rooms to improve acoustics and comfort. A new Daikin air-conditioning system was fitted, combining wall-mounted units and ceiling cassettes to deliver consistent, controllable climate comfort year-round.
Energy-efficient LED lighting was installed throughout, using daylight fittings that deliver 300 lux at desk level to promote a natural and productive working environment.
To balance privacy with openness, we introduced substantial partitioning to create dedicated offices and meeting spaces, using glass wherever possible to maximise borrowed light and maintain a sense of spaciousness.