Sector
Office
Value
Six figure sum
Size
10,000 sq ft
Completed
2026
Duration
6
Location
Loughborough
Swim England’s workplace had supported the organisation for more than 15 years, but the way its people worked had changed.
A new organisational strategy and structure created an opportunity to rethink the office from the ground up. With hybrid working now part of everyday life, Swim England needed a more flexible environment that would encourage collaboration, support better conversations and make time in the office feel worthwhile.
Having worked with Blueprint previously, the team returned with a clear ambition: to create a modern space that could support the organisation’s next chapter.
Where we started
The existing office reflected a very different way of working.
Teams were more separated, people were largely based at permanent desks and the space hadn’t evolved with changes in technology, working patterns or the organisation itself.
Years of accumulated storage, equipment and paperwork made the office feel cluttered and inefficient. Outdated tech and too many printers were taking up valuable space and energy.
Swim England wanted a fresh start. As well as a new look and feel, they wanted a space that would break down silos, support its wider transformation and make it easier for people to collaborate more effectively, wherever they were working from.
Where we focused
We focused on creating flexible spaces that would help people make better use of their time together.
We based the design around the neighbourhood concept to give teams a greater sense of connection. It created a more fluid way of working, allowing people from different departments to sit near one another, share ideas and build stronger relationships.
Change was carefully managed throughout the process. Employee surveys, workshops, floor plans and opportunities to leave feedback helped people understand the thinking behind the design and feel part of the journey.
We challenged the team to think differently, while making sure the changes were realistic and right for Swim England. By introducing new ways of working before the move, people could begin adjusting gradually, building confidence ahead of returning to the refurbished space.
What changed
The office is now a place people choose to come to.
Rather than travelling in to sit at a desk, employees can use different spaces to connect with colleagues, collaborate across teams and have conversations that are more effective in person.
Informal seating, rejuvenation areas, technology-enabled collaboration spaces and improved meeting facilities allow people to move between individual focused work, group discussions and hybrid conversations throughout the day.
Swim England’s historical archive has also been given a refreshed setting, making important objects and records more accessible while connecting the organisation’s heritage with its future.
The impact
People are spending more time in the office, not because they are being asked to, but because the space gives them a reason to be there. Teams are connecting across departments, hybrid meetings are easier to manage and people can choose settings that suit the work they need to do.
The transformation has also supported Swim England’s sustainability goals. Reusing existing furniture reduced waste, fewer printers have lowered energy use and improved hybrid meeting technology means people can avoid unnecessary travel.
The result is a workplace that feels lighter, more relevant and ready to support Swim England as the organisation continues to evolve.
Blueprint helped us create a workplace that supports the way we are working now. They understood our organisation, challenged us without pushing us too far and guided us through every stage of the process
"- Maria Papadopoulos, People Director, Swim England
