3.1 Arrival

This section offers a ‘thick description’ of Simpsons’ work environment, which is designed around cutting-edge ‘officing’ principles. We also introduce the planning team, grounding the reader in the types of planning work carried out by consultants in large, multi-national corporations, as well as explaining the processes of shadowing and collaboration that were used to create this account.

Simpsons occupies several floors of a Victorian former printworks that is situated on the outer edge of the city's creative district. A high white counter, topped by a hothouse plant, almost conceals the receptionist (see Figure 3.1). Once checked in, clients and visitors are greeted by the smell of good coffee and received in a smart, comfy couch area decorated by artsy photos of high-rises from around the world. Elevated halfway up the wall is a shelf with an illustrated book setting out the firm's philosophy. The toilets are the type you’d find in a nice hotel. Each stall has a hardwood door about eight feet high and the mirror is gently backlit.

Backstage, the planners occupy two rows of a long, bright office that also houses transport engineers, architects and other teams. The office, which smells faintly of candles, toast, coffee beans and pricey soaps, is a mix of hard and soft textures in muted colours – the exposed brick on both of the long walls is softened by a greyish-blue carpet. Thought has gone into acoustics, lighting and airiness: harsh sounds are softened by baffles suspended from the ceiling; slatted lighting encasements enhance the daylight coming in through the openable windows. The side where the planners sit has a pleasant view over a nearby park with a boating lake. The less-favoured, noisier side looks out onto undeveloped land, a dual carriageway complete with a tree that has a hurled shoe in it.

The desks, which are in short rows, are white and spacious. Each has a high-spec ergonomic chair and is adjustable to standing height, giving the office a creative-industries aesthetic. An always-busy kitchen area is seamlessly woven into the space, featuring a snug of comfy, booth-style couches, a long table with stools, a proper counter and cupboards full of clean mugs and bowls.