A fresh home for EIG

We delivered the fit out of a brand new three storey building for Ecclesiastical Insurance Group (EIG) at Gloucester Business Park.

Project partners

  • Northcote Building Consultancy
  • B D G Work Futures
  • Max Fordham
  • Humble Arnold Associates
  • Webb Yates Engineers

Project description

The 68,000 sq. ft property was designed and fitted out to suit the specific needs of EIG, allowing them to consolidate their offices into one new headquarters. Following their move, EIG took occupation of the whole building. EIG wanted their headquarters to feel fresh and new but also welcoming to staff and visitors. On the ground floor we created a large reception area complete with a bespoke welcome desk set against a stunning feature wall of moss and timber cladding. A dramatic double height ceiling and modern ring pendant lighting add an inspirational feel to the entrance and set the tone for the rest of building.

Flexibility for all

We understood EIG’s need for flexibility when it came to workspaces throughout the building. On the ground floor we built a variety of working areas consisting of individual meeting rooms and a large multifunction room made up of three rooms with screens. We also created a boardroom with a bespoke timber slat ceiling and track lighting.

Over the first and second floors we continued the diversity of workspace by building a series of meeting rooms with acoustic feature walls around the perimeter and open plan office areas located towards the centre. Staff now have the freedom to choose between private and collaborative spaces to suit their working needs.

A place to recharge

A staff restaurant with a fully equipped back of house kitchen was created to cater for the entire workforce within the new headquarters. At the heart of the restaurant sits a large front of house island servery clad in natural timber slats.

The space was designed to provide an inviting space for staff to recharge and socialise throughout the day. Acoustic panels suspended from the exposed sprayed ceiling help diffuse sound throughout the large space, while warm lighting strips and help to create a calm, restorative atmosphere.

An injection of life

New buildings can sometimes feel a little cold and bare, so we knew how important it was to add a dose of warmth and colour to EIG’s new home. Over the first and second floors we created casual break-out areas furnished with sofas and chairs, as well as several tea points featuring timber panelling and pendant lighting. Throughout the building bold accents of colour appear in the form of small orange booths for individual work and green feature walls in communal areas.

A step up

One of the most striking features of the project is the steel staircase that runs through the centre of the building, complete with a crisp white finished frame, timber handrails and a glass balustrade. The staircase serves as a focal point across the three storeys, adding a sense of openness to the building by allowing easier movement between each level. The timber treads and risers have been extended into the surrounding floor areas to create a more coherent space and mirror the clean lines of the ceiling rafts.

Despite the restrictions that were in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the fit out of the new building was completed with minimal delays. The entire project was delivered with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind and achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating. We are proud to have given EIG a new state-of-the-art headquarters, a place they can call home for many years to come.

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