Introduction
China Mobile and its subsidiary companies deliver full communication services throughout mainland China and are recognised as a world-class telecommunications operator.
Black Elephant (BEIDS) were directly appointed by the client to act as their Workplace Strategist, Interior Designer, Space Planner, and Design Coordinator directly managing the contractor tender selection process.
Acting as a single point of contact throughout the project, weekly audio-visual collaboration meetings held with the clients’ management team ensured that all elements of the design were agreed and signed off without delay.
The Brief
China Mobile are leading providers of high technology services and solutions within a fast-paced high-profile competitive industry. Rapid growth and expansion had seen the business residing in cramped offices for several years with teams and departments spread disjointedly throughout the building. Consequently, the business planned to relocate its workforce to the 24th floor of 125 Old Street, an iconic 1970’s building formerly known for housing the headquarters of the Stock Exchange.
The Vision
The London Managing Director was keen to break with the company’s traditional ways of working and instead create a working environment that would foster effective communication and team collaboration. Some conventional ways of working including fixed workstations had to be retained but the space needed to enable agile working and provide employees the opportunity to move more freely around the space whilst still retaining areas of privacy.
The client required a stylish interior scheme that was corporate but light and modern in style and had to provide conference room facilities for small to large-scale meetings, an informal area for staff to socialise or take time out, and a private office for the MD. The overall requirement was to create an environmentally friendly workplace that would reflect the organisation’s people-oriented values and attract the best industry talent.
The Design
To capitalise on the available space all offices and working areas were sited to the perimeter of the building thereby enabling a clearly defined circulation route to run from one end of the building to the other. Key to the design was bringing energy to the bright workspaces without compromising the benefits of the natural light; this was achieved in the materials specified such as the large grey marble effect porcelain floor tiles that were laid throughout the reception area, and the installation of grey acoustic baffle boards that introduce both shape and form to the ceiling. The bespoke reception desk and adjacent black leather soft seating evoke a light and airy welcome to visitors which is further complemented by the floor to ceiling window that frames a stunning view of the London City skyline.
The MD’s office and an adjoining meeting room sits adjacent to the reception area provides privacy for small meetings and ad-hoc collaboration activities.
A large conference room sited at the furthest point of the building accommodates an 18-seat conference table with integrated audio-visual equipment and banquet seating for those all-important company meetings. Smart wireless technology connects each meeting room to an internal booking system, and high-end audio-visual equipment enables the business to conduct business globally reflecting the organisations leading position in a competitive digital world.
A smart uncluttered kitchen sits adjacent to one of the modular acoustic booths that provide privacy for calls and short meetings enabling users to be productive in the busy office environment. A subtle palette of blues and pops of bright orange bring warmth to the neutral scheme.
A light-filled multi-purpose room retains an industrial feel with its open ceiling and foil clad M&E and low hung pendant lights. Fitted with bespoke privacy booths, its design and muted colour scheme fulfils the client’s brief for informal meetings and social gatherings.
Sustainable design and employee wellbeing are key to this client’s core values and was reflected in their procurement choices and the upcycling of various elements including some glazed partitions, and the original walnut door frames.