NHS Saltaire | Pt 2
Heritage Setting, Modern Voices:
How NHS Saltaire Staff Designed Their Own Space.
The Objectives
- Ensure design sensitivity within a Grade II* listed heritage environment.
- Empower NHS staff through a fully user-led furniture selection process.
- Provide a transparent, evidence based comparison of all furniture options.
- Enhance staff engagement, wellbeing, and confidence in the final workspace
- Deliver a practical, durable, and brand aligned solution suitable for NHS operations.
- Overcome architectural challenges through bespoke furniture design.
- Manage the full process end to end to ensure clarity, control, and smooth delivery.
Inside the Transformation
- Formation of new partitions, infills and suspended ceilings to redefine the space.
- Comprehensive redecoration across all areas, creating a clean and consistent finish.
- Feature wall panelling and staircase enhancements to elevate the overall aesthetic.
- Installation of new fire-rated and standard doorsets complete with ironmongery.
- Bespoke joinery including kitchen areas, vanity units and specialist boxing.
- Additional balustrading and handrail works to improve safety and flow.
- Full surface preparation and screeding to ensure high quality installation.
- New laminate flooring to office areas and non-slip vinyl to clean rooms and canteen.
- Branded barrier matting and epoxy coatings to upgrade warehouse performance.
- High-specification hygienic PVC cladding installed throughout clean zones.
- Welded joints, splashbacks and feature finishes to meet stringent operational standards.
- DPM and specialist floor detailing to support controlled environment use.
- New LED and emergency lighting schemes throughout.
- Installation of power, extraction, heaters and specialist electrical supplies.
- Fire alarm modifications and ventilation enhancements.
- Full testing, commissioning and certification.
- New sanitaryware, sinks and stainless steel wash areas.
- Adjusted drainage and water supply to suit new layouts.
- Plumbing for appliances including washing machine.
- Structural opening formed with steel support for roller shutter.
- Roller shutters installed in line with operational needs.
- Hygienic cladding, redecoration and floor upgrades throughout the warehouse.
- Final sparkle clean, quality checks and snagging.
- Practical completion and handover achieved on 13th October.
Clarity First: How We Prepared Staff to Vote with Confidence.
To empower NHS employees to choose the furniture that best supported their daily work, we provided a complete toolkit for informed decision-making. We began with a full market review, shortlisting the strongest product options and presenting a clear analysis of sustainability credentials, cost, finishes, lead times and country of origin. We then arranged hands-on showroom visits so staff could experience the products directly, backed by detailed finish samples and side-by-side comparisons to help them understand quality, durability and aesthetic differences. To accommodate the building’s unique heritage layout, we also developed bespoke solutions where standard products weren’t suitable, ensuring every option presented was genuinely viable. Together, these steps gave employees complete clarity and confidence before casting their votes on the final selections.
Bespoke Furniture
We worked closely with the NHS team to ensure every furniture and fabric selection aligned precisely with their specification requirements. This included validating products against NHS standards for durability, cleanability, infection control, fire ratings, sustainability and long term value.
We sourced and compared multiple fabric families, ensuring each option met technical performance criteria while still offering the aesthetic warmth and practicality the space required. By providing samples, finish boards and clear guidance on suitability, we helped the team confidently select furniture and fabrics that not only met compliance needs but also enhanced the overall environment for staff and visitors.
Project Manager | Vicky Kkais
“Delivering this project for the NHS was incredibly rewarding. Our goal was to create a workspace that truly supported staff in the vital work they do every day, and seeing the transformation come together so seamlessly was a real highlight.”
NHS Phase 2
Click to read more about the soft furnishing & Pod Install at the NHS Saltaire Site
Vicky oversaw the project from initial concept through to completion, coordinating design, procurement and delivery to ensure every detail aligned with the client’s requirements. Her hands-on approach, clear communication and expertise in workplace interiors ensured a smooth process and a high-quality result.
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