An energetic, sustainable workspace for the 'Here' and 'Now'

Sustainability for the 'Here' and 'Now'

Given the lush, natural surroundings of Thames Valley Park, it was paramount that the projects were delivered sustainably and with minimal impact on the environment. Materials used in the fit out were chosen with sustainability as the priority. Fabric used to upholster the furniture in the atrium is made from recycled polyester from old plastic bottles.

We are proud to have delivered a project that meets the client’s quest for the ‘ultimate wellness and community experience.’ Both HERE and NOW will be net zero carbon, and have both been certified BREEAM Outstanding, Wired Score Platinum and Fitwel 3* as well as ActiveScore Platinum. The projects have also been awarded the 'Sustainable Development of the Year Award at the Thames Valley Property awards 2022'. The project has also been shortlisted for the Mixology23 Project of the Year award.

Here building

At the front of the Here building, we installed a bespoke timber canopy, suspended without ground support. This impressive feature not only captures the attention of visitors, but also alludes to the abundance of natural timber that features throughout the interior

On the front façade, we added a unique film composed of individual reflective squares. Inspired by the mesmerising natural phenomenon of starling murmurations, the pixelated design is particularly striking at night when the building is illuminated.

A structure that reaches new heights

In the atrium, we refurbished the high-level bridges and installed a three asymmetrical tree house meeting rooms, each one servicing a floor of the building. A monumental feat of design and engineering, the tree houses are stacked in a way that feels spontaneous, with each individual house clad in birch faced ply panels.

On the other side of the atrium there is a strong sense of community. With a new reception, café, quiet hub and bleacher style staircase for informal meetings. We extended the main staircase to open up the basement and refurbished four existing lifts to ensure they were up to the new standard.

A lower-level space with high-spec amenities

In the basement, a quiet lounge area leads onto a first aid room, exercise bike room and nursing room. Elsewhere, we added two stylish changing areas with feature tiles and lighting. To ensure the facilities are available and accessible to everybody, we created a fully fitted DDA compliant changing places room, as well as high-spec unisex ‘super loos’.

We also refurbished a gym-ready space with a new staircase underneath a new glass canopy, leading to an external gym with Nike Grind finishes and a cedar enclosure

Now Building

Our client’s goal was to create an office as beautiful as its surroundings, so we set to work transforming six floors centred around an atrium. For added kerb appeal, we installed a glulam canopy on the front of the building, suspended without ground support.

Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by a bright, spacious foyer which benefits from natural light flooding in through the atrium ceiling. A bespoke timber clad reception desk sits proudly at the entrance, along with ample waiting areas furnished with cushioned benches and high stools.

An illuminating workspace

A unique feature of the atrium is the bespoke tensegrity lighting structure where every element is under either constant tension or compression, all in mechanical equilibrium. The entire structure was built on the ground and raised in one carefully coordinated operation, then fixed, stabilised and tensioned, all while avoiding the potential entanglement of the 100 wire ropes.

Flexible, balanced workspace

We created new CAT A office spaces on the upper floors, which are accessible via fully refurbished lifts. We also refurbished the toilets on all floors.

As well as inspiring workspaces, we also created a series of calming break out areas to facilitate moments of leisure during the working day. Colleagues are able to sit back and relax in a peaceful setting immersed in natural light.