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Friday, November 26, 2010

Work on water in floating office....


How to stay afloat in business: Work on water with the H2Office

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:01 PM on 26th November 2010
    With the country still edging out of recession it is harder than ever for businesses to keep their heads above water. 
So here is an innovative solution for professionals seeking alternatives to gray office block or industrial estate locations - the floating office.
These eye-grabbing H2Offices allow entrepreneurs and creatives alike to touch base in a serene and futuristic waterfront setting.
Plain sailing: One of the H2Offices sits in a marina in Cardiff Bay, South Wales
Plain sailing: One of the H2Offices sits in a marina in Cardiff Bay, South Wales
In the dry: The interior of an H2Office aims for a stylish look to attract creatives and innovative businesses
In the dry: The interior of an H2Office aims for a stylish look to attract creatives and innovative businesses
The stylish prefabricated floating structures have large windows designed to allow the beauty of the surrounding marine environment into the office space.
The H2Office has been designed and produced by Cardiff based company, WaterSpace.
Each office is nine metres long, 3.7 metres wide and 3.7 metres high with an internal working and sitting area of almost 23 square metres.
In good weather workers using the office can break out on the nine square metre upper deck and enjoy the ambiance of the surrounding waters.
While they are not built to sail the waterways like yachts or canal boats they give fresh access to marinas and quays for businesses wishing to take advantage of the tranquility of marinas and harbours around the UK.
WaterSpace Sales Director, Steve Evans, 45, from Cardiff, is passionate about the difference the H2Office can make to the well-being of business professionals.
Movable: The floating offices are moored and, while they are not designed to sail, they can change location
Movable: The floating offices are moored and, while they are not designed to sail, they can change location
Can we go outside to play? In good weather employees can use the top deck to work in the sunshine
Can we go outside to play? In good weather employees can use the top deck to work in the sunshine
'It is a completely different, cool and quirky place to work,' said Mr Evans.
'The unit can be moved to a different view, marina or country really quickly and easily.
'It is just great to be working at the panoramic view window looking out to the marina outside.
'We have some great space, all the mod cons and if the sun shines we enjoy drinks, lunch and meetings on deck.' 
The idea of a floating office in the calm of southern summer waters is enticing, but less so the prospect of a meeting on a rain-lashed winter morning in the Outer Hebrides, which is why the majority of sales have so far come from abroad. 
Business has been strong in Morocco and the West Indies, although several large UK marina companies have expressed an interest in buying multiple units.
Abroad of demand: The cool white interior suits customer requirements, with business brisk in hotter locations
Abroad of demand: The cool white interior suits customer requirements, with business brisk in hotter locations
WaterSpaces' next project is H2Home, a floating studio currently in the design phase.
With the UK housing markets in a state of flux there is a practical side to owning a home on the waves.
'With the price of housing rocketing, as well as other services, we want to design a different place to live, with all the amenities,' said Mr Evans.
'But we want to make it affordable to the average man on the street.
'Living on the water is pretty cool too.' 
The team behind the project hope to have a prototype of the H2 Home ready by early next year.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333311/Floating-H2Office-allows-work-water.html#ixzz16OhcPSMO

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