Offices for Claydon Heeley Jones Mason
London
Ushida Findlay Architects

Original and thought-provoking interiors assert the creative dimension of this ad agency

© David Churchill

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

Spread over five disparate floors of an existing office building in South London, the client wanted a design solution to harmonize the office interiors, developing a sense of corporate identity throughout, while keeping within a strict budget.

The resolution of the design came from looking at the key working areas. Standard desk solutions were not appropriate, as the creative teams needed to be flexible—to grow or shrink. Six-person desk clusters are repeated and grouped within the center of the floor plate. This geometry defines the remainder of the office, determining the positions of ancillary space and edge storage. As a result, a full compliment of office solutions has been designed for this advertising agency, from edge seating to meeting tables.

Color features prominently in the design, with each of the floors defined by planes of blue rubber flooring. The reception area utilizes rolled steel ribbons colored silver to symbolize the River Thames. Orange, the corporate color, is used as a highlight. The strands delineate zones of occupancy (cafe, reception, and client waiting), creating a multitude of flowing spaces without resorting to tired solutions.

By opting for inexpensive materials like PVC, mild steel, rubber, and laminated MDF, and using these in an imaginative way, the architect was able to extend the budget to include the back of house areas and thus improve the existing open-plan offices. The idea was to recognize the main asset of Claydon Heeley Jones Mason—the people who work there. There was a need to make the staff feel valued and to inspire them to be innovative and visionary in much the same way as their surroundings.

Formal name of Project:
Claydon Heeley Jones Mason

Location:
London

Gross square footage:
18,500 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$1.6 million

Owner:
Claydon Heeley Jones Mason

Architect:
Ushida Findlay Architects
31 Oval Road
Camden Town, London, NW1 7EA
Tel No: 00 44 20 7482 6204
Fax No: 00 44 20 7482 6143