Hydrock is a leading integrated engineering, energy and sustainability consultancy, who were based in serviced offices. However, the growth in their team meant that they needed to provide a new space in London that would encourage better integration and collaboration, and help support business growth.
Having outgrown the serviced office, it became more challenging to maintain a sense of team and brand. With staff retention and growth a priority for the business, it was important to find a high quality space that would reflect Hydrock’s culture, as well as providing a great work environment for its people and clients to enjoy. Having secured a new space, they commissioned Woodhouse to undertake the fit-out of their new integrated and flexible home in Great Suffolk Yard.
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The project presented several challenges that required innovative solutions. One was that the space was made up of 3 partly-interconnected listed and different level buildings, demanding thoughtful space planning. With people less likely to visit a breakout area that was in a separate space, Woodhouse created a collaboration hub and a multi-purpose wellness room alongside it, to bring the two wings together.
Adjacent to this on a lower level in the Grade II listed part of the building is a games room which could double up as an excellent collaboration space, all equipped with audio-visual equipment. The variety of settings within the breakout zone will be a big draw for staff to this zone, with the line of banquette seating being perfect for lunch time or project collaboration.
Another challenge was creating a warm and inviting interior that was harmonious with the very industrial Cat-A character. This has been overcome by a design solution that complements the industrial feel; carefully selected colour tones that enhance the exposed brickwork, and natural earthy tones to blend with the bare concrete backdrop of the interior.
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The office’s functional requirements were addressed with a great variety of work settings: conventional desk areas, a flexible touch-down work bench, video call pods, open collaboration booth and a suite of meeting rooms – all equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and booking systems.
All spaces are provided with new furniture, and electrical infrastructure has been put in to cater for any future business expansion requirements. Sound management was a crucial consideration in the design, given the exposed concrete soffit throughout the base build, so acoustic solutions were applied in key areas, to optimise sound absorption.
In line with promoting a healthy and sustainable workspace, biophilic elements were incorporated throughout, and sustainable fabrics such as Camira’s Mainline Flax were chosen to meet their environmental aspiration. Highly efficient M&E solutions have been installed, in line with the energy management of the whole building.
Overall, the project successfully tackled the challenges of the complex and historic building; the industrial space has been transformed, integrating three wings and resulting in a functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable office environment.
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