Studio Egret West has transformed an 8600 sq ft (800 sqm) outdated cellular workspace into a temporary new open desk and “Brandspace” for our long-term collaborators U+I.
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Studio Egret West has transformed an 8600 sq ft (800 sqm) outdated cellular workspace into a temporary new open desk and “Brandspace” for our long-term collaborators U+I.
Strategy
In December 2021, Landsec completed the purchase of U+I prompting the need for a new space for a new group of regeneration specialists to convene.
Located on the 6th floor of Landsec’s 100 Victoria Street, the brief was to create a temporary workspace, bold in aesthetic, to provide an 80-strong team with an immediate home that would reflect the innovative and forward-thinking remit of the newly assembled group.
The Studio Egret West team, with a limited construction budget, were asked to re-use and recycle materials and furniture wherever possible against a 2-month programme from concept to occupation. This involved an inventory of salvageable materials from the strip-out and U+I’s wider estate.
Location:
London Borough of Westminster
Client:
LandsecU+IRole:
Interior Design
Status:
Completed September 2022
Collaborators:
A key feature of the space is the ‘ribbon’ of expose storage space that weaves through the workspace. In its vibrant oranges and blues, it ties together the meeting spaces, desk areas and bar, whilst forming a practical display area, providing useful storage space, and integrated planters to promote biophilia.
The storage unit was built from repurposed materials that were saved from the strip out including door panels and metal studs.
Snug areas provide space for impromptu meetings between colleagues.
Historic U+I site models were saved from the skip, upended and painted in a vibrant orange, whilst the blue ‘flecked’ Smile plastic worktops are made from 100% recycled plastic.
Behind the desk is a fun flicker board, from the business’s previous office at Howick Place - used for inspiring messages and updates on what is happening in the world.
An immediate message of ‘re-use and recycle’ is encapsulated with the ‘up-cycling’ of U+I’s Howick Place reception desk which was cut down to fit in its new ceiling height.
The bar and kitchen area, an important social hub for the workspace, is formed from a modular stage from Howick Place.
In the breakout area adjacent to the bar, the remaining two stage sections continue to be used for a stage for ‘Town Hall’ presentations and events.
Kitchen cupboards - formed from original cupboards and locker fronts, from the strip-out, have been combined with leftover birch reclaimed from site at Morden Wharf, a U+I project on the Greenwich Peninsula.’
The kitchen counter-tops and butterfly joints are formed from offcuts of Foresso “Timber Terrazzo”; a resin bound decorative finish fabricated using recycled timber. Off-cut sheets of different sizes have been templated to optimise material use.
Other materials used for the bar include key-clamps and mesh which can be easily recycled at the end of life.
Retro Coca-Cola vending machine.
The kitchen splash back is formed from historic glass tiles, reclaimed from the old municipal fruit and veg market in Brighton on the former site of what is now Circus Street - one of the business’s latest.
‘From, Now, On’ (a reminder of the business’ role in shaping the future) is projected in bold colours as large-scale graphics covering the 3 no. formal meeting rooms.
An eclectic mix of retro and contemporary furniture from U+I’s former offices fill break-out space - complete with a DJ booth and vinyl collection. Across the break-out areas and bar, coffee chaff and orange peel “Obscure” lampshades by Biohm have been used, and formed from a from either a coffee or orange discard based organic refuse-biocompound.
Other informal break-out areas are positioned in the corners of the floor-plates to maximise natural light with views across the city scape and space for pin-ups and display.
