Project Background
As part of an extensive refurbishment of the Smiths News head office in Swindon, NeoTimber® supplied Classic Solid Grey composite decking to transform a previously underused external courtyard into an inviting breakout space for employees.
The wider 13,600 sq. ft. office refurbishment was delivered by APSS within a demanding ten-week programme. Rather than relocating, Smiths News chose to reimagine its existing workplace, creating a modern and flexible environment that better reflected the organisation's culture, print heritage and evolving ways of working.
A new social hub was established at the heart of the office by reorganising the internal layout and unlocking direct access to the external atrium. Previously difficult for most employees to access, the courtyard was repositioned as a natural extension of the internal breakout area.
The revitalised outdoor space was designed to support informal meetings, cross-team conversations, quiet breaks and staff socialising. Its connection to the relocated tea point and central hub helped bring employees together while introducing greater contact with the outdoors during the working day.
To support this vision, the courtyard required a commercial decking solution that could provide strength, reliable grip and straightforward maintenance while complementing the contemporary design of the refurbished workplace.
Project Requirements
The courtyard decking specification needed to satisfy several practical and design requirements:
- Transform a previously underused external atrium into a functional employee space
- Create a seamless visual connection with the new internal social hub
- Provide a stable surface for regular commercial use
- Support informal meetings, collaboration and employee breaks
- Complement the contemporary workplace and courtyard landscaping
- Offer dependable traction in changing outdoor conditions
- Reduce the maintenance associated with traditional timber decking
- Provide a durable finish suitable for a busy office environment
Project Specifications
| Product | NeoTimber® Classic Solid Composite Decking |
|---|---|
| Colour | Grey |
| Total Area | 385 m² |
| Board Construction | Solid wood-polymer composite |
| Board Finish | Reversible woodgrain and grooved surfaces |
| Application | Commercial office courtyard and employee breakout space |
| Location | Smiths News Head Office, Swindon |
| Refurbishment Contractor | APSS |
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Our Commercial Decking Proposal
NeoTimber® supplied 385 m² of Classic Solid Grey composite decking to create a durable and attractive surface throughout the revitalised office courtyard.
The Classic Solid board was selected because its dense solid-core construction provides the strength and stability required for higher-use outdoor spaces. This made it well suited to a commercial courtyard intended for daily employee use, informal meetings and workplace events.
Its reversible design gave the project team a choice between an embossed woodgrain finish and a contemporary grooved surface. Both options provide texture and reliable grip while retaining the natural character associated with timber decking.
The Grey colourway was chosen to complement the courtyard landscaping and the clean architectural finishes introduced throughout the office refurbishment. Its neutral tone created a calm, contemporary foundation for furniture, planting and employee activity.
Extending the Workplace Outdoors
The courtyard formed an important part of the wider workplace strategy. Rather than treating the external atrium as a separate amenity, the redesigned layout connected it directly to the office's central social hub.
This relationship between inside and outside helped create a more flexible working environment. Employees gained an alternative setting for informal conversations, collaborative discussions, lunch breaks and moments away from their desks.
The consistent decking surface helped define the courtyard as a purposeful extension of the workplace. By giving the external area the same level of design consideration as the interior, the refurbishment encouraged employees to use the space more regularly.
The connection with planting and natural light also supported the project's people-focused approach, helping to create a calmer and more welcoming environment at the centre of the office.
Why Classic Solid Composite Decking?
Commercial office courtyards require materials capable of accommodating regular pedestrian traffic, outdoor furniture and changing weather conditions. At the same time, ongoing maintenance must remain manageable for the building's facilities team.
NeoTimber® Classic Solid decking combines a dense composite core with a reversible textured surface. Its construction delivers dependable strength and a firm feel underfoot, while the woodgrain and grooved finishes provide reliable traction in wet and dry conditions.
The boards do not require routine painting, staining or sealing. Most everyday dirt and marks can be removed using warm, soapy water and a soft brush, reducing the maintenance demands typically associated with traditional timber decking.
Classic boards undergo an initial period of natural weathering after installation, gradually developing a stable and consistent tone. The Grey finish was particularly well suited to the contemporary courtyard palette and surrounding office architecture.
The range is backed by a ten-year commercial limited warranty when specified and installed in accordance with NeoTimber® requirements, providing additional reassurance for workplace and other commercial applications.
Supporting Collaboration and Employee Wellbeing
The redesigned Smiths News workplace was intended to improve collaboration, strengthen connections between teams and give employees greater choice over where and how they work.
Unlocking the courtyard supported these objectives by introducing a shared outdoor setting at the heart of the office. Its proximity to the social hub and tea point made it easy for employees to move between focused work, informal conversations and restorative breaks.
The outdoor area also complemented new meeting rooms, call pods and collaboration zones positioned throughout the refurbished office. Together, these spaces created a more adaptable workplace capable of supporting different tasks and working preferences.
By creating a usable external environment, the project made better use of the existing building without requiring Smiths News to relocate or expand its physical footprint.
The Completed Smiths News Courtyard
The completed installation transformed a previously underused atrium into a contemporary employee courtyard connected directly to the office's central social hub.
Across 385 m², the Classic Solid Grey composite decking provides a consistent foundation for seating, planting, informal meetings and everyday staff use. Its neutral colour works naturally with the surrounding landscaping while reinforcing the clean, modern character of the refurbished workplace.
The courtyard now serves as a practical extension of the internal breakout space, giving employees greater access to fresh air, daylight and a more varied working environment.
This project demonstrates how commercial composite decking can help activate overlooked external areas. By combining a durable surface with thoughtful workplace design, Smiths News and APSS created an outdoor setting that supports collaboration, social connection and employee wellbeing.
Commercial Composite Decking from NeoTimber®
From office courtyards and hospitality terraces to leisure venues and public spaces, NeoTimber® supplies commercial composite decking for projects requiring strength, attractive design and manageable maintenance.
Our team works with designers, contractors, architects and commercial clients to support product selection, material calculations and project delivery.
