The Brief
Boasting iconic views across the River Thames towards the City of London, the new 24,000 sq ft head office of Clarion Housing Group at More London - designed and curated by 3equals1 Design & BEH – is now complete and provides a 'grown-up', sophisticated, and homely workspace for Clarion's agile workforce.
Formed in 2016 following the merger of Affinity Sutton and Circle Housing Group, Clarion Housing Group is the UK's largest housing association. Shortly after this merger, the company was presented with an opportunity to expand their established offices at 6 More London, thereby consolidating disparate offices into one landmark location. This expansion provided a convenient opportunity to refurbish the entire floor to reflect the new company identity and culture, and take advantage of the building's generous glazing and natural light, which the previous internal architecture had compromised.
Tony King, Managing Director, Think FurnitureOnce we were awarded the contract the real work to ensure delivery of a large but interesting furniture scheme (that fitted budget and timeframes) began in earnest. Fortunately, because of our expansive portfolio Think Furniture were able to provide the design team with the right portfolio of furniture for the project; consulting with them on any possible improvements or options along the way.
Our Solution
Having already worked on numerous sites across the country for Clarion, Maz Mahmoudi of 3equals1 Design and Malcolm Harris from BEH Interiors shared a thorough understanding of the company's ambitions and workplace strategy. To create a timeless, adaptable, modern space that would not easily date, Maz avoided fads and trends in favour of classic and homely interiors that could be easily modified in the future. Clarion expects to complete its lease here in 2030, an unusually long period for corporate offices, which meant this futureproofing of furniture, fittings and finishes was particularly pertinent. Selected in partnership with Think Furniture, the diverse range of meeting room chairs, light fittings, flooring and workstations screen fabric colours allow for great flexibility, one area at a time. This prevents the need to make wholesale changes and prevents the company from being at the behest of a single supplier.
Connect3 workstations, D Series screens - Selected for their simple engineering, robustness and value for money, Connect3 workstations were specified with black understructures and a very light grey worktop (Kronospan Stone Grey). Amongst the most prominent items in the space, these grey worktops appear almost white at first glance, but reduce the cold, stark and sterile appearance of more commonly selected bright whites. The workstations also feature inset D Series Screens, upholstered three colours from the Camira Blazer Lite range (Balance, Hope and Retreat). Rather than being grouped together in each zone, these three colours have been scattered throughout, enhancing the vibrant aesthetic. These screens can be easily replaced with different fabric options in the future at minimal disruption, downtime and redundant cost.
Connect3 desks - Executive offices feature Connect3 single desks with returns and a modesty panel, maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout.
800 Series storage - The open plan landscape also features KI’s 800 Series end-of-desk, screen-height storage cupboards, delineating walkways whilst providing team storage distributed throughout the floor. Cupboards, waste and recycling units were used throughout the floor, including in utility areas.
AthensSE column base tables - Some executive offices feature cable-managed round meeting tables with finished to match the desk. These tables make plug-and-play devices easy when needed for small meetings and conference calls.
Maz Mahmoudi, Owner, 3equals1 DesignClarion's new head office is designed to really work for its people - the layout, fittings, and furniture all respond to their staff’s needs. Our unique inclusive methodology allowed us to create a working environment that people will love operating in. Without communicating to everybody involved - in 3equals1's collaborative, fun style - we wouldn't be able to produce commercial interior schemes that work so well.
More Information
Date - October 2017
Project Partners - Think Furniture
Design & fit out - 3equals1 Design & BEH
Size - 24,000sq ft, 258 staff
Website -www.clarionhg.com
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