A bright modern office reception area with a white desk featuring the Aviva logo, two computer monitors and soft underlighting. Behind the desk are large planters filled with greenery. A wide wooden staircase with a black metal balustrade rises to an upper floor. The space has light wooden flooring, floor to ceiling windows with blinds and a mix of open workspaces and plants. A bright multi level office atrium with a central black metal staircase and glass balustrades. The space features light wood finishes, large planters with greenery and an open mezzanine above. To the right is a tall wall of vertical coloured panels. Natural light enters from overhead skylights, and there are work areas and seating zones visible around the atrium. A large conference room arranged with rows of grey chairs facing a stage area with wide black presentation screens and closed curtains. Multiple ceiling mounted monitors hang above the seating, displaying video content. The space has bright even lighting, exposed ceiling details and a neutral colour palette. The room appears set up for a talk or presentation. A modern office entrance with large glass doors framed in light wood, opening into a bright interior with wooden flooring, plants and a central staircase with a black metal balustrade. The view from the corridor shows stone walls, concealed lighting in the ceiling and a row of wooden alcoves with seating on the left. Inside, the reception area and planting can be seen clearly through the glass. A small enclosed workspace with two individual desk pods separated by glass partitions. Each desk has a task chair, a monitor and a wooden shelf with plants placed above. The pods are fronted by full height sliding glass doors with subtle patterned detailing. In the foreground is a round meeting table with teal chairs. To the right stands a tall white planter with a leafy plant, and lockers line the adjacent wall. The wider open plan office is visible through the glass on the left. A spacious office café and social space with a long counter on the left, tiled in blue with shelving and a coffee station. Yellow pendant lights hang above a row of high stools. To the right is an open seating area with round tables, lounge chairs and planted dividers. Several people sit at tables or stand at the counter. The room has light wood flooring, large windows with blinds and exposed ceiling details. A large screen is mounted on a dark blue feature wall at the back. A bright open plan office space with long desks, task chairs and computer screens arranged in rows. Several people are seated at the nearest desk cluster, talking together. To the left is a corridor with glass meeting room fronts and textured wall panels. Overhead, exposed cable trays run along the ceiling with black directional signs for meeting rooms. Large windows on the right bring in natural light, and potted plants are placed throughout the workspace. A multi level office interior with an open staircase featuring glass balustrades and light stone steps. The staircase runs beside a tall wall covered in vertical timber slats arranged in a geometric pattern. Several people are walking on the stairs and others are visible in the open plan workspace on the right, which has desks, task chairs and large windows. The space is bright with a mix of wood and glass finishes. A small modern meeting room with a long table surrounded by teal swivel chairs. A large wall mounted screen at the front displays a digital meeting interface. Soft ceiling lighting and a clean neutral colour scheme give the room a bright feel. To the right is a sideboard with drinks, cups and a lamp, set against a frosted glass partition and a teal door. A bright meeting room with two white tables arranged together and surrounded by yellow swivel chairs. A large wall mounted screen with a wooden frame is positioned at the front of the room. On the left wall are two colourful framed artworks above a sideboard that holds drinks, cups and decorative items. A tall plant sits in the corner on the right. The room features soft ceiling lighting, a neutral colour scheme and a teal door at the back. A bright open landing area in an office with light wood flooring and a glass balustrade overlooking a stairwell. The space is furnished with blue and yellow lounge chairs, a blue sofa and small tables arranged in a casual seating zone. Behind the seating are planters filled with greenery and a wall with framed artwork. To the right, a corridor with teal doors leads to other rooms. Above, a large opening reveals the floor above with wood slat detailing and glass panels. The overall setting is modern and spacious.
#
#

Home Case studies Aviva

Leading the way in workplace sustainability

Aviva’s move to 80 Fenchurch Street brings their values to life in a headquarters built for collaboration, energy and a modern workplace culture. With a strong focus on environmental performance and Aviva’s 2040 net zero ambition, the two phase project delivered a space that feels good to work in and contributes positively to sustainability goals.

Project partners

  • Arcadis
  • Cameron & Payne
  • Hilson Moran
  • tp bennett

“Working with Overbury felt like we were on the same team trying to achieve the same goal.”

Angela Hall, Aviva

Key features

  • Industry leading bespoke sustainability targets
  • Town hall and auditorium spaces
  • Two striking staircases
  • Repeat client
  • Phase one's success led to phase two

Aviva, the UK’s leading diversified insurer, moved their London headquarters from St Helen’s tower to 80 Fenchurch Street to find a space that embodies their values, supports a collaborative, energised culture and enables them to achieve their impressive sustainability goals.

The first phase of the project transformed 108,000 sq ft across six levels, creating flexible working spaces, client facing meeting areas, breakout zones and multiple social hubs. An interconnecting staircase links the first four floors, while the town hall and media studio offer spaces for events, presentations and creative collaboration. Zoning was carefully considered throughout the office, with different light and energy levels to suit a variety of working styles.

Sustainability beyond standards

Aviva's 2040 net zero carbon target meant best in class environmental performance was vital to the project. The base build achieved BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating, setting a strong foundation for sustainability.

Over 100 environmental and social targets were set. Key achievements included diverting 98% of waste from landfill during construction and installing water efficient appliances that reduce water use by 50%. Steel from structural modifications was repurposed into part of the staircase, helping achieve an embodied carbon target of under 300 kgCO₂e/m². These measures were supported by detailed records to meet Aviva’s bespoke sustainability framework, which went beyond traditional sustainability accreditations to deliver greater socio environmental outcomes.

Delivery with precision

Phase one of the programme was delivered over 33 weeks, including a sectional completion that allowed the executive team to move in ahead of the main handover due to a lease break at their old office. Close collaboration with Aviva’s preferred AV, security, furniture and data contractors ensured continuity across the estate and consistent quality standards throughout the workspace.

After we successfully completed phase one, we were invited to bid on and won phase two of the project, which included the refurbishment of 22,000 sq ft across the lower ground, ground floor and a considerable new events space.

Continuing the journey in phase two

The refurbishment of the lower floors created Aviva’s own exclusive reception in the building for a welcoming, uniquely Aviva experience that inspires and engages colleagues and guests from the moment they enter 80 Fenchurch Street.

The lower floors are connected by a new staircase that matches the design of the one installed during phase one. Its construction required complex out of hours structural modifications and cut outs, including new risers and infills in other locations where they were no longer needed. Temporary acoustic hoardings were placed in the main reception to reduce noise transfer between site and occupied areas.

The new adaptable event space is another key addition. Inspired by the town hall space we delivered in phase one, the large auditorium doubles Aviva’s national event space capacity and includes new catering facilities and a state of the art AV control room.

A workplace that makes a difference

The completed headquarters provides a modern, flexible and sustainable environment for Aviva, supporting their people, culture and sustainability ambitions. The result is a workplace that works well for users and the environment. Aviva were 'wowed' by the opening of the main reception and believe they now have 'the space that Aviva deserve'.

  • 80 Fenchurch Street, London
  • 130,000 sq ft
  • Two phases over 68 weeks
  • Over 100 environmental and social targets

Explore another project

An open plan office space. Green sofas are prominent in the centre, with desks along the right and meeting pods on the left.

View project