The previous building was very much an old-school legal fit-out, with small cellular offices and a bank of secretary desks – reflecting that it was 20 years old. The initial brief for the team at BDP was to create a more sustainable, agile way of working that looked after employee wellbeing and created a better environment for client meetings. “(The design) obviously had to represent quality and our status as a major international firm, adds Rachel.
On entering on the top floor, we’re greeted with a bright communal entrance space with an impressive central lighting feature, flexible seating and a client refreshment point surrounded by meeting rooms and an event space running throughout the rest of the floor.
The design concept is corporate yet friendly and features elements from Manchester’s urban landscape and industrial heritage, with exposed ceilings, metals and neutral tones as a backdrop, incorporating the surrounding countryside with biophilic, natural materials such as timber to aid a sense of calm. The use of angular internal architecture to mimic the external façade is offset by softer, curved furniture and planting. Each meeting room uses this base design concept, while incorporating different elements such as lighting, furniture and flooring within each room to add interest. Extensive timber panelling, slatted ceilings and exposed soffit areas help define and give identity to different areas across the floors.