dMFK Architects has completed the refurbishment of a split-level 6,500 sqft commercial space to deliver a bespoke headquarters in West London. Set within a six-storey heritage building, the new workspace fosters a warm, collaborative culture that provides opportunities for both communal open-plan working, focus areas and private office areas.
dMFK was appointed to design a series of spaces that celebrate the ethos of the client’s 50-person team; creating a sense of connection and community, whilst also delivering a range of working environments facilitating the complex needs of a dynamic business.
Warm, tactile and rich materials have been layered to add a sense of quality and depth, including solid ash, dark-stained oak, natural stone and ceramic slabs. A soft, neutral colour palette seeks to complement the client’s curated artwork selection, which is exhibited throughout the project’s atmospheric, interconnected spaces.
“The base build refurbishment, although high-quality, had shifted focus from the historic character of the office space. Our design seeks to reintroduce warmth and tactility with layered materials and curated spaces that encourage collaboration and enrich our client’s workplace culture,” explains dMFK Director Joshua Scott.
The original split-level space has been subdivided into a range of smaller offices, working pods and intimate meeting rooms that open up into larger, open-plan spaces, creating a legible circuit of connectivity. This encourages everyone to come together to eat, chat and collaborate, whilst retaining the option to return to a quieter, more private workspace if preferred.
“It was important for the architecture to acknowledge that everyone works in different ways. An open-plan environment does not suit every personality, or every job, all the time,” Joshua adds. “The design needed to build in opportunities for quiet concentration and private discussion, as well as traditional meetings and collaborative discussion.”
Furnishings have been curated or custom designed to achieve a clear distinction in materials and surfaces whilst enhancing the historic building’s unique blend of heritage and contemporary elements. The heart of the new HQ, an open-plan hub to eat, drink, work and socialise, features a bespoke dining table designed to suit the elongated space. A custom dark-stained oak boardroom table has been crafted to complement the heritage section of the building, whilst durable Dekton worktops with a walnut base have been selected to coalesce with the timber joinery.
Each design choice was made with the aim of minimising future construction waste. A commercial fit out that is beautiful and highly functional upon completion may grow unsuitable as the needs of occupiers evolve, resulting in frequent, repeated renovations as the years pass. To mitigate this, the architecture incorporates flexible, adaptive spatial planning and high-quality, durable materials that will stand the test of time.
Design:
Furniture Consultant: Rainbow
Lighting Consultant: PJC Light Studio
Project Manager: HartDixon
Contractor: Whitepaper
Photography:
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