20th Dec 2023

Blueprint Interiors in 2023: Our best bits!

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It’s been a very busy end to 2023 for our team, but we always enjoy taking a moment to look back on what’s happened this year to get us excited for what’s to come in the next one.

Before we get into it, we want to say a huge thank you to every one of our clients that we’ve worked with this year. And of course to our partners who are central to the work we do – we couldn’t do it without you!

Thanks also have to go to our friends and family who are always there behind the scenes cheering us on.

So, what happened in 2023 again? Here are some of our highlights.

January

Melton project progress

We shared some behind the scenes photos of Melton Building Society’s office refurbishment

Behind the scenes with Paul

Our Contracts Manager Paul answered a few questions about his role and life at Blueprint Interiors for our team spotlight series.

2023 office trends

Rob shared his office working trend predictions for 2023. He discussed integrated technology and flexibility, sustainability, creating workplaces for human beings to thrive rather than ‘employees’ to survive, and physical and mental wellbeing. All of which have been huge priorities for many of our clients this year. 

February 

Worldline project reveal

It was time to reveal Worldline’s completed office refurbishment in Beeston, Nottingham. This innovative, forward-thinking company had truly embraced the notion of creating a people-focused workplace and we were delighted to help them realise it. 

Pancake day!

Pancake day arrived and of course we went all out with morning pancake-making at WorkLife Central.

March

Enigma Wellness project reveal

We revealed the completed transformation of Enigma Wellness’s flagship Bupa Wellness Centre in Cheshire.

Behind the scenes with Kate

It was our Project Designer Kate’s turn to take part in our team spotlight and share more about herself and her role.

Competitive mini golf!

We got very competitive on our team social, mini golf! It’s always great to have time away from the office for some healthy competition and team bonding!

April

Steelcase Platinum Partner status

We were recognised as a Steelcase Platinum Partner for 2023! Out of the 34 companies in the EMEA regions awarded this status, we are one of only five in the UK. 

Eid celebrations

It was fantastic to celebrate Eid in the office! Our Accounts Apprentice Muhammad brought in some incredible home-cooked specialities for us all to try.

May

Inspiring future careers

We welcomed 15 students from Lancaster Academy in Leicester to WorkLife Central as part of their R.E.A.D.Y programme where they gain experience in the world of work.

Our Chairman and Founder, Rob, is an Enterprise Adviser for Leicester & Leicestershire  Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) so headed up the initiative.

Gleeds Manchester project reveal

We revealed the completed transformation of global property and construction consultancy, Gleeds, offices in Manchester city centre.

Behind the scenes with Kim

Our Head of Design Kim told us what it’s like to work at Blueprint, including her favourite projects. 

Clerkenwell design week

Chloe, Rebecca and Kate had an amazing time attending Clerkenwell Design Week 2023 to hear all about the latest workplace trends. Of course, they shared their insights, ideas and inspiration with the rest of the team when they returned!

June

Shortlisted as Small Business of the Year

It was revealed we’d been shortlisted as a finalist in the Small Business of the Year category of the East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards. We didn’t go on to win, but still had a wonderful night celebrating our achievement as a finalist at awards night in October!

HORIBA MIRA refurbishment reveal

We revealed the completed refurbishment of HORIBA MIRA’s previous headquarters in Nuneaton – an iconic 1950’s office building. The building, situated at MIRA Technology Park, had been unused for quite some time so we were tasked with bringing it back to life ready for a new tenant to move in.

July

UK Anti-Doping new office reveal

We revealed the completion of UK Anti-Doping’s office design and fit out project in the newly built SportPark extension at Loughborough University. It was fantastic to work alongside the team to design a space that complemented the sustainability objectives of the PassivHaus building.

Maninder joined the team

We welcomed Maninder to the team as a designer, covering Hannah who went on maternity leave.

caps charity ladies day

We attended the CAPs Charity Ladies Day at Edgbaston Golf Club, which raised funds for The Brain Tumor Charity, in memory of a much-loved friend and colleague of the CAPs team, Ben Burton.

Hannah welcomed her baby into the world!

Our Lead Project Designer, Hannah, welcomed her beautiful baby Xander.

August

Future workplace study launched 

We launched a huge study into Midlands workplaces to uncover how people across our region have changed their ways of working, and what they think will become more important in future. 

The findings have now been published and you can download our full white paper here

Lots to celebrate 

Kate, our Project Designer, got married! And we had a team social in Nottingham with arcade games, food and cocktails.

September

CAPs charity golf day sponsor

This year’s CAPs (Construction and Property) charity golf day raised all important funds for Naomi’s Garden. We sponsored the bar, which Chloe and Rachel enjoyed running from Chloe’s campervan!

Inclusive office insights 

We shared insights on how to create offices for neurodivergent team members.

Gleeds Nottingham office reveal 

Gleeds moved into their brand new landmark Nottingham city centre office, and we were delighted to reveal the product of our third project together!

East Midlands Bricks Awards Sponsor

We were delighted to sponsor the Architects of the Year category at the Bricks awards once again this year. Matthew Montague Architects was revealed as the winner!

October

Pumpkin carving competition

We’re all about practising what we preach and creating a compelling place to work – so it was all systems go for our pumpkin carving competition this year! 

November

WorkLife Central got a revamp

We gave everyone a sneak peek of the six-figure revamp of our own office. The investment is part of our continuous programme of investment to ensure our office and showroom is revitalised to continually showcase the latest office design, products and technology reflective of an innovative and versatile workplace.

CEO sleepout Nottingham

Rob headed to Meadow Lane Stadium in Nottingham to take part in CEO sleepout, raising funds to fight homelessness. The team who took part raised over £40,000 between them!

Leicester Innovation Festival VIP event

Rob attended the VIP preview event discussing plans for the Leicester Innovation Festival 2024. We’re looking forward to being involved with it next year, so watch this space!

Sharing future workplace study findings 

Chloe and Rob held several events across the Midlands sharing the findings of our workplace study, along with their expert insight on the future of workplaces. They discussed the change in office perception amongst employees, what matters most in workplaces now, current and future office design trends, and how to build happy, healthy and inclusive workplaces.

Advising on LCCC’s £60m redevelopment

It was announced that Rob will be sharing his knowledge as a member of the working party for Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s £60m redevelopment of Uptonsteel County Ground.

Building designs that advance health and wellness will be considered as part of the redevelopment, so Rob will be sharing Blueprint Interiors’ expertise on the WELL Building Standard.

Alex’s Wish charity ball

Rob, Chloe and Rachel were invited to the annual Boogie Night event for Alex’s Wish charity. 

December

Nottingham City Business Club Christmas lunch sponsors

We had a fantastic time at NCBC’s annual Christmas lunch where we were one of the sponsors, and Phil Tufnell was the guest speaker!

East Midlands Leadership Awards finalist

We received the fantastic news that our Creative Director Chloe and Operations Director Rachel have been shortlisted in the TheBusinessDesk.com East Midlands Leadership Awards 2024. They’ve been shortlisted as finalists in the Company Leader (up to 100 employees) category!

Sinead joined the team!

Sinead has joined us a Furniture Project Coordinate as part of the contracts team, focusing on coordinating the furniture element of project delivery. She works alongside our Furniture Project Manager, Gemma, to liaise with clients throughout our manage and fit-out process stages, and support with any follow-up works once projects are complete.

See you in 2024!

If you got this far in our round up, thank you for reading. We wish you all the best for the remainder of 2023, and we’ll see you next year!

Author:

Rachel Biddles

Operations Director