With a vision to optimise operations and enhance employee productivity, Pets at Home embarked on a journey with DENTON to create a workspace that seamlessly aligned with the company’s vision and values. The brief was to not only meet the demands of a thriving retail business but also to embrace the ideals of flexible and agile working.

After a series of collaborative and creative workshops led by DENTON with the Pets at Home project team, the key highlights were the desire to cultivate a space where staff could collaborate in a dynamic yet functional environment, all while embracing sustainability and pet-friendly features. The challenge was creating a space that exuded a homely, fun, and inviting atmosphere catering to new and existing team members.

DENTON created a bold and bright reception area at the distribution centre to make a lasting impression on visitors, aligning with Pets at Home’s refreshed brand. The open-plan office featured agile workspaces that broke up desk seating, providing areas for respite and collaboration. Care was taken to incorporate acoustic features, minimising disturbances to colleagues in the surrounding areas. Strategically placed storage cupboards with integrated planters offered privacy and added a touch of greenery to the space.

Meeting rooms were positioned along the edges of the main office to facilitate private meetings. These rooms were equipped with audio-visual capabilities, enabling seamless communication with remote staff and suppliers. Additionally, larger meeting rooms were equipped with whiteboards, promoting collaborative work and brainstorming sessions.

The design included a dedicated library space for focused work, a playful social area, and meeting booths for team discussions. These versatile spaces also served as a “town hall” for larger gatherings, and phone booths were incorporated for private calls. A training room and facilities kitchen were included to support new staff members, doubling as an auditorium space for company-wide meetings.

As part of the project brief, creating a pet-friendly space that followed “Petiquette” was crucial. DENTON’s adaptive design incorporated the following elements:

• A closed-off kitchen space was designed to prevent wandering pets from entering, providing a dedicated area for staff to enjoy lunch, socialise, and prepare food.
• A separate pet kitchen was added close to the main kitchen, ensuring pets had their designated area.

By incorporating these features, Pets at Home’s new workspace successfully merged efficiency, functionality, and a pet-friendly environment, resulting in a workspace that exceeded expectations.