At Huckletree, creating a productive work environment is about much more than just providing desks and chairs.
This innovative network of curated coworking hubs is a sanctuary for startups, cutting-edge businesses, and even government agencies. Known for transforming conventional office spaces into vibrant, community-driven environments, Huckletree offers everything from open-air terraces overlooking the Thames to inspiring auditoriums and laidback libraries. Since its inception in 2014, Huckletree has launched 10+ hubs across the UK and Ireland, attracting over 4,000 of the brightest minds in sectors like web3, fintech, and AI.
Yet, even in these bustling innovation hubs, there's a growing demand for quiet, private spaces. This trend has only intensified post-COVID, as many employees have become accustomed to the privacy of working from home. To address this need, Huckletree partnered with Persy Booths to strike a balance between collaborative energy and focused solitude, setting a new standard for modern workplaces.
The new norm: Adaptable private spaces
Huckletree's workspaces are designed to reflect modern working styles, boasting state-of-the-art amenities such as member lounges, rooftop terraces, dedicated wellness spaces, and town hall areas. However, the rise of open floor plans has brought its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining privacy.
Louise Hattam, Head of Projects at Huckletree, explains their approach to this dilemma: “We typically build meeting rooms in the amenities space but opt for booths in the studio space to achieve an aesthetic quality and have more flexibility. In some buildings, members can take an entire floor for their office, in which case we always recommend adding booths as they are a more versatile, flexible furniture item that can be easily moved from one space to another—or even to another site.”
One strong advantage of mobile soundproof booths is that they allow businesses to optimise the square footage of the office space. Louise Hattam elaborates on the versatility of Persy Booths: "Companies are moving into these big floor plans, and they may have two meeting rooms. What you don't want is an employee taking up a six-person meeting room for a 30-minute call. That's the amazing thing about phone booths: you can sit in there for an hour and still feel comfortable or take a quick call and leave. I've experienced a lot of phone booths in the industry, and some you wouldn't want to be in past 15 minutes because of poor ventilation. Persy Booths, on the other hand, provide excellent thermal comfort, allowing our members to stay in them comfortably for as long as needed."
Practicality and flexibility at the centre of the office design
The flexibility of phone booths makes them a wise investment for companies that want to optimise their office space. As Hattam notes, Persy Booths are a perfect solution for maintaining privacy without requiring extensive built-in meeting rooms. This flexibility is especially beneficial for Huckletree's members, who often need furniture to move with them as they relocate within Huckletree's network.
Since the pandemic, many employees have struggled to readjust to the open office environment. While these spaces promote collaboration, they often lack the privacy needed for personal calls, focused tasks, and confidential conversations. The constant noise and distractions can make it difficult for knowledge workers to concentrate and maintain productivity. Phone booths offer a refuge from these disruptions, providing a quiet space where employees can work undisturbed.
Louise highlights the growing popularity of these booths: "As we've been designing Huckletree sites post-COVID, it feels like we're adding more phone booths with every new project, and it's still not enough. Everyone just loves them. They seem to be the go-to place for people to get their work done.
People have gotten used to the privacy of working from home, where they can take quick calls without the background noise of an office. Phone booths give them a similar sense of privacy and security. There's nothing worse than needing to jump on a last-minute Zoom or Teams call and having nowhere to go, just floating around in a blaring office. Most people just want to know they've got a dedicated space they can use when needed, and phone booths provide that essential refuge."
Expectations for a loveable booth
Privacy, silence, and home-like comfort are the must-have requirements for a high-functioning booth. But what does that mean in practical terms? Louise Hattam talks us through her features shopping list.
"Ventilation and acoustics are the most important factors for a great booth. One thing our members and the Huckletree team consistently praise about Persy Booths is their exceptional acoustic performance. You can't hear anything outside the booths, which is crucial in an office environment. When you're positioned near a bank of desks, you need the privacy to take a call without distracting others. The Persy Booths excel in this regard, providing superior sound isolation. Additionally, the design of the booths is sleek and fits seamlessly into any workspace aesthetic. The ability to customise the colour is also a bonus our members love. This level of customisation and acoustic excellence truly sets Persy Booths apart."
Another significant consideration for workplace managers is the ease of installation. "We had booth providers who would rock up to the site and take ages to build. It’s frustrating for us and our members. We want any adaptations to a space to be as easy and minimally disruptive as possible. And we found that Persy Booths are quick to install and reliable, which is crucial for our members. They want to know that what’s coming in will be hassle-free and ready to use. We've never had complaints about Persy Booths; they're a strong, reliable product, which is vital when recommending them to our members."
A productive partnership
“There is a varying variety of phone booths on the market. Some are lovely, and some are not. So, when trying to advise our members who want to have phone booths in their studios or offices, we need a brand that we feel comfortable recommending—a reliable product we know people will enjoy using. That’s why we love partnering with Persy Booths,” said Huckletree’s Head of Projects, Louise Hattam.
In a post-pandemic world where productivity and privacy-centric offices are becoming all the rage, Huckletree’s innovative approach and partnership with Persy Booths are redefining the concept of flexible working.
"We had ROOM booths on site at Huckletree before. But when they stopped delivering, we looked for a parallel product that met our standards. That’s how we found Persy Booths."
Louise Hattam
