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At Workbench everyday is a school day. We are always keen to make sure we share knowledge and new ideas. Next week we have two excellent seminars that we would like to share with our clients The first is on Tuesday July 12th where we have a unique opportunity to discuss Material Centric Design with Chris Lefteri Chris Lefteri is recognised throughout the world as a leading authority on materials and their application in design. He is considered one of the most important materials experts working in his field and for over a decade his studio work and publications have been pivotal in changing the way designers and the materials industry consider materials. https://www.chrislefteri.com/ Material Centric Design This talk will explore and challenge the traditional process of design, which is shape first, materials selection last. It will help you evaluate materials from a new perspective that goes beyond function. There will be the opportunity for Q&A with Chris afterwards. There are limited spaces so please contact heather@workbenchltd.co.uk if you would like to attend and we will confirm your place.

Workbench is a market leader in the furniture industry championing sustainable design and good practice. We design and manufacture high end furniture and joinery for corporate spaces working on prestigious projects with blue chip companies. We are looking to recruit a Post Sales/ Project Manager to join our dynamic team. Working closely with the MD, sales team, design team and the installation team the responsibilities will include: -Tendering products and chasing quotes, placing purchase orders, agreeing delivery schedules. -Liaising with transport companies to set up deliveries -Cost and supply analysis on projects. Negotiating prices with suppliers ensuring budgets are met. -Monitoring material supply issues and liaising with the Workbench suppliers to ensure delivery dates a met. Experience / skills that would be an advantage: Microsoft Office Filemaker Reading technical drawings. The successful candidate must have at least 3 years experience in a purchasing & post sales role, be a team player with a flexible, 'can do' attitude and have excellent organisation skills. Good communication is essential as the role involves liaising with the Workbench team at all levels as well as suppliers and contractors. The role would suit someone with previous purchasing experience, ideally within the furniture / design industry, who is familiar with reading technical drawings. To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Joe@workbenchltd.co.uk

The Green House Gas Protocol identifies a company’s emissions in three categories. Scopes 1, 2 & 3 are the basis for mandatory GHG reporting in the UK (Carbon foot printing) The scopes are based on an assessment of which emissions from your operations you can directly control and which you can influence. Scope 1. Green House Gas (GHG) emissions that a company makes directly, for example, company facilities, including air-con and vehicles. Scope 2. GHG emissions made indirectly e.g. electricity purchased, heating, cooling. For a company like Workbench Scopes 1 and 2 are likely to be small as we have a modest office space and a medium size team. Scope 3. The big one. GHG emissions the company is indirectly responsible for. In Workbench’s case for example the steel, glass, timber we buy and then the emissions generated in the fabrication of that material. It includes anything a company has influence over. Below is some of what Workbench measured. To be able to substantiate year on year carbon reductions it is our understanding that a company should measure its current footprint and report it so that it can then demonstrate the reduction achieved going forward. We used certified consultants who specialise in carbon management to help us measure and report. If you would like more information on the resources we used please get in touch. Carbon Neutral Workbench is carbon neutral because it has measured Scopes 1, 2 and 3, has had this verified by a third party and then has off set its total carbon emissions by investing in United Nations approved projects. Workbench knows this has a positive impact but it is not a longterm solution, we must aim for Net Zero. Carbon Net Zero This is only achieved when a company has demonstrated that it has reduced its carbon footprint to the lowest carbon emissions possible, whilst still being able to fulfil the functions to keep operating, and then offsetting the remaining emissions. For this reason a company is highly unlikely to be able to achieve Carbon Net Zero straight away. Companies must first identify and measure their footprint before they make claims of reducing it. Companies will need to have documented proof of how they have reduced their footprint to the lowest possible level and will need to have it verified by a third party and or be assessed to a certified standard to legitimately claim Net Zero. Workbench is measuring and reporting its carbon emissions publicly and is aiming to reach Net Zero within 5 years. How SME’s can make a difference Collectively SME’s are enormous. At the start of 2021 there were over 5.5 million SME’s in the UK (0-49 employees) SMEs account for three fifths of the employment and around half of the turnover in the UK private sector. If SME’s all measured their carbon footprint, introduced reduction targets and in the meantime off set their carbon it would be a massive shift in the UK's carbon footprint. Other useful information https://www.workbenchltd.co.uk/copy-of-climate-neutral https://www.workbenchltd.co.uk/ https://unfccc.int/climate-action/climate-neutral-now https://www.fsb.org.uk/uk-small-business-statistics.html This information is based on research that Workbench has undertaken. We always welcome feedback and are happy to learn from the experiences of others.

Workbench have built an enviable reputation as a reliable partner for Architects, Designers and Specifiers. As a UK based designer and manufacturer of furniture and specialist joinery, we have an in-house design team with all our manufacturing carried out in the UK. We have direct contact with our material suppliers and can effectively mange our supply chain during these difficult times, providing an uninterrupted, reliable supply of high quality furniture and joinery for your project. For more information about our furniture and joinery please call 020 7251 9336, email enquiries@workbenchltd.co.uk or visit our showroom at 3 Sutton Lane, London EC1M 5PU. Furniture solutions by Workbench Designed by us, tailored by you.

The Sutton Flip table is a unique design combining high capacity cable management with complete mobile flexibility in one of the largest flip top tables available, up to 3000mm x 1500mm in one piece. Sutton's high capacity cable managed base does not compromise its aesthetic and is specified to suit high profile client facing areas as well as less formal spaces, offering complete flexibility and enabling the user to quickly change the use of the space it occupies. Most importantly the Sutton flip is uniquely designed to not only minimise waste, using standard section steel and standard size core board, but also to encourage re-use at the end of its life. Each component has been designed to be connected independently so that re-finishing both the base and table top is possible day two. The Sutton Flip leg has been designed to house a high capacity of cable management whilst remaining slim and elegant. The large but discrete door to the base eliminates the problems that often face AV contractors when they come to install their equipment by maximising the space they have, not only when first fitting but also for maintenance. The internal space of the base is maximised to future proof additional technology that may be required. The Sutton flip table has had the top weight issue designed out by the use of gas loaded actuators, despite the weight of the large top, the user is able to easily flip it up or down. As with all Workbench product the Sutton Flip meets our 'Designed by us, tailored by you' aspiration, allowing the client to specify the details, materiality and finish to suit their specific project.

An exciting opportunity to join our design team in Clerkenwell for a recent graduate, working in a fast paced company specialising in high-end corporate furniture and joinery. - Skilled in AutoCAD, Solidworks, Keyshot & Adobe Suite. - To be knowledgeable in furniture materials and construction techniques with experience in creating manufacturing drawings and liaising with various workshops - Project management, site meetings, client liaison and assisting the sales team will also be encompassed within the role. - All applicants to have BA or BSc Honours within Furniture/Product/Industrial Design and have relevant industry experience. To apply, please send your portfolio, CV and covering letter to rob@workbenchltd.co.uk

Biophilic design - This continues to dominate interior design for 2022. We have all become used to the outdoors over the last 18 months and for much of that time meetings outside were the way forward, so it is no surprise that biophilic design is resurgent. Maintaining office plants has been tricky for many companies as they deal with home working and fewer people in the office, but there are plenty of artificial or non-living options to get around that. Waves and curves - Maybe this is also a post pandemic reaction to the regimented following of rules and keeping in line. In 2022 curves, waves and general irregular shapes are making their way into not only office spaces but our homes as well. Fluting - This detail is one of the most popular that we are seeing applied to furniture, prevalent in the 1930’s art deco design, fluting has become a favoured detail in interiors. Fluting is one of the more simple ways to add texture to furniture. Workshops and factories have increasingly sophisticated CNC machines which allow this feature to now be cost effective to produce. Advances in cutting and working other materials such as stone, technical stone and Corian mean that fluting details are not just limited to timbers. Colours - We always have one eye on Arpa laminate in particular the Fenix range when it comes to predicting colour trends. The Fenix Verde Comodoro has made the top spot. This colour complements the RAL 2022 colours this year, with a palette that reflects the colourways we are starting to see on mood boards. Hague blue by Farrow and Ball trailblazed these calm colours with historcal undertones. The odd man out is Very Peri (purple) as the colour of the year from Pantone 🤔…. we are not seeing much of that being specified at the moment, but as we know a year is a long time in office design so we will see what 2022 brings and keep you posted! Patterns - Earth inspired patterns, nature and pastel colours. This is definitely the work from home influence spilling into our office space. We need to feel at home at work, cushions, curtains, art and ceramics are all embracing colours and patterns this year. Measure it - Less green washing more green wishing. 2022 is the year to start counting your carbon. The task can seem overwhelming but now is the time start. Companies are taking the first steps and sensibly starting small, counting what they know they can measure now whilst working out how to count the more difficult bits. It is going to be the fastest way for a company to calculate its carbon foot print so that it can start a reduction plan and begin the journey to Net Zero. As our collective knowlege grows and legislation improves, defined carbon counting will be a dominating trend and topic for years to come. Which Workbench applaud.

Workbench recently worked with Apres to provide meeting room tables for a leading asset management company in Mayfair. Workbench produced a tailored version of our Eve table with a standard black leg finish, and for the main conference table a special bronze powder coated leg. The table tops were made in Fenix with a solid maple edge stained black to give a sleek contemporary appearance. All the tables have fully integrated AV and IT interfaces. To complete the suite Workbench also designed a bespoke upholstered bench with matching bronze leg to perfectly compliment the tables. Designed by us, tailored by you.

They say the first step is the most important. SME’s looking to take that first step measuring their carbon footprint often don’t know where to start, have no road map, or even a pair of shoes in place to take that step. Couple that with the loud rhetoric and finger pointing at businesses that they are all failing the planet and SME’s can be left feeling overwhelmed by the task. Even if they do manage to find a start line, a map and some shoes would it even make a dent in the enormity of the issue? Yes it would make a dent! Collectively SME’s are enormous. At the start of 2021 there were over 5.5 million SME’s in the UK ( 0-49 employees.) SMEs account for three fifths of the employment and around half of the turnover in the UK private sector. If SME’s all measured their carbon footprint, introduced reduction targets and in the meantime off set their carbon it would be a massive shift in the UKs carbon footprint. The problem for most SME’s is getting to the start line, finding a map and putting on the right shoes. When Workbench started to define its footprint in 2020, it was tough to find independent information. First port of call was The Carbon Trust, who were very communicative but unable to help us due to our size and their workload. A Google search produced many companies that offered various foot printing products but without any knowledge of the process or any independent information it was difficult to work out how to assess the quality of those services. Fortunately ISOQAR the certification body for the Workbench ISO14001 accreditation were able to assist. We were able to start a dialogue with a company that work with the United Nations Climate Neutral Now initiative and gave independent advice. Thier team also specialised in carbon footprinting for SME’s! We were on the start line with a SAT NAV and new trainers. Defining Scope 1,2 and 3 is a big task for any company but SME’s are normally agile and have good sight of the information that needs to be measured. It is daunting but our advice is, JUST TAKE THAT FIRST STEP. It has been a 14 month journey for us that has highlighted many interesting observations about our supply chain as well as starting collaborative initiatives going forward. Workbench is the first UK office furniture company to be listed on the United Nations Climate Neutral Now website, our carbon footprint audit has been certified by a 3rd party. You can read more about our journey, our carbon neutrality and our reduction targets on the Workbench Climate Neutral webpage. Measuring our footprint and our listing on the United Nation Climate Neutral Now initiative is just the first step….new trainers please!👟

Workbench Tailored Collections Horsham / Games Industry Workbench recently partnered with Oktra to design and manufacture tables and credenzas for a suite of meeting rooms at a leading Games Industry company. The emphasis was to provide a non-corporate, rustic environment. The rectangular A-STAR table was selected to meet this requirement, with lino tops in Forbo ’Smokey Blue’ and a polished plywood edge. The central insert to the table with cable access panels is finished in Egger 'Santa-Fe' Oak laminate and accommodates Crestron units. The table is supported on A-STAR steel bases finished in a black powder coat. Burnt orange leather chairs compliment the table to give a carefully tailored solution that perfectly matches the organic nature of the building interior. Workbench Tailored Collections - For more information visit our A-STAR page.

Inspirational furniture that tells a story... The oak for this table comes from a tree planted by Lippold Friedemann von Bredow, Erbherr auf Haage und Retzow, Havelland in 1855. It was uprooted on 30th March 2015 during Hurricane Niklas. The fallen tree was cut into timber and seasoned for four years at a local sawmill. Workbench were asked to design and fabricate a bespoke table for the London Office of an Investment Management Company. We transported the boards from Germany to our UK workshop, cutting to useable sizes and working out how best to join the boards whilst setting out the text for engraving a poem into the surface. Herr Von Ribbeck im Havelland is a beloved German literary ballad written by Theodor Fontane in 1889. It tells the story of the generous and gentle Squire von Ribbeck who would gift pears to passing children from his pear trees. He knows his son and heir to be a scrooge who will stop this benevolence so he asks that when he dies he is to be buried with a pear. He does this in the knowledge that the pear tree which grows from his grave will continue to provide free pears to the children as they pass.

Wow we have missed this! Great to step way from our desks, into our glad rags and catch up with the everyone in our brilliant industry. Congratulations to all the finalists and especially to the winners at Mix Interior magasine Mixolgy South.