Spec Finish

Design www.thefis.org 17 providing functional lighting. The Clouds at the Met Office use Colour Active technology for automatic colour temperature control. The daily Colour Active cycle follows pre-set regimes to mimic natural daylight rhythm, or specific settings can be set and tailored as required. From a sustainability perspective the system has seen a reduction in energy usage of over 50%. We also monitor indoor air quality which allows us to optimise the ventilation rates and provide greater thermal comfort enhancing wellbeing. IT has played an increasingly important role in all our working lives. We have adopted Microsoft Teams to ensure all our colleagues can work together easily regardless of where they are located. MS Teams has meant meetings have become more inclusive with the use of closed captions. Content can be read, edited and the viewing experience can be customised for different cognitive requirements. We reduced visual disturbance using floor to ceiling glass panels and carefully placed walkways. These glass panels aid the acoustic signature of the space. Reverberation times measured are ≤ 0.6s and are contributing to the overall speech intelligibility index improvement. Each desk is a hybrid, allowing the user to adjust the height from sitting to standing, as we appreciate the need to flexibly adjust to all heights. For neurodiverse colleagues, we created workspaces free of visual distraction. We also worked together to select appropriate colours for fabric, carpets and furniture including the layout and position of desks all of which can create a more inclusive working environment. We found that colour and pattern were critical to the safe and seamless passage of our visually impaired colleagues through the space. Ultimately giving all staff an environment that is truly designed to meet a wide and changing set of needs. The value of the project Ralph said: “The project will deliver diverse perspectives combined with an inclusive culture where people can bring their authentic selves to work, stimulates innovation, improves decision making and leads to greater performance and resilience. The Met Office is a World Leading, Science led organisation with many neurodiverse colleagues. By allowing each member of staff to come to work each day and feel safe and supported, we can realise our combined potential and hope this will allow us to remain at the forefront of our specialism. ED&I are multifaceted, all-encompassing and touches every part of the Met Office. “Whilst we await formal feedback, staff have commented on the improved space, how it now supports diverse teams to meet and collaborate undisturbed and without disturbing others on an open plan floor plate. “Likewise, staff feedback on how the space has aided inclusivity has been received and it is becoming increasingly popular. The project has benefited our business by being a physical example of one of our core values “Better Together”. The project has literally allowed all staff access to a space that allows them to be included, to work together, to contribute equally, to be heard, to be valued”. Ralph concluded by saying: “Our approach to Equality Impact Assessments proved the benefit of early engagement with staff helping us achieve the culture that we aspire to. This project helps with the attraction and retention of staff as people see we value ED&I and that we act to make physical improvements in our colleagues working lives”. www.metoffice.gov.uk Adjustable hybird desks selected as part of the floorplate redesign at the Met Office Improved space which supports diverse teams to meet and collaborate undisturbed and without disturbing others