Interiors Group completes Esselco office revamp

The Interiors Group, working with Scott Brownrigg Interior Design, has completed a second of three refurbishment projects for serviced office provider Esselco.

The 25,000ft2 (2,320m2) refurbishment covers the seven floors of 3 Lloyd's Avenue in London.

The Interiors Group accommodated a variety of layout reconfigurations and design enhancements during the project in line with the client's brand design.

Maintaining continuity with the project already delivered at Warnford Court, near the Bank of England, was important to reinforce Esselco's sense of brand quality; however, given the location, close to Fenchurch Street station, the design takes on a more youthful stance to appeal to a different market of potential occupiers.

Throughout the refurbished building, the design uses diagonal lines to create a sense of energy.

This concept takes its inspiration from the angles of the base build plan layout and is reinforced through the lighting, which is made up of diagonal beams in both vertical and horizontal planes.

The clean and minimal design is punctuated by statement interventions, including oversized illuminated floor signs in each of the lift lobbies.

These large numbers are tilted at a slight angle, reinforcing the diagonal theme.

On each floor, the lift lobby opens up into the shared breakout area for the whole floor.

This is a model that Scott Brownrigg developed for Esselco in other locations.

It enables interaction with members of other organisations.

Three key areas within the building will be the focal points for attracting potential occupiers, the first being the reception space.

This is now a light and vibrant entrance environment.

In particular, a feature AV wall made from cracked mirror glass, as well as the repeated theme of the light beams, is visible from the street.

The second is a roof terrace, which Scott Brownrigg Interior Design and The Interiors Group have transformed from an uninspiring blank space into an 'outside lounge'.

Here, the exterior of the building has been re-clad with a stained hardwood and the floor has been covered with a sustainable compressed bamboo decking; the step into the internal area is finished in Astroturf in place of a doormat.

The external area is completed with Arper seating and other exterior furniture, as well as planters and integral lighting that make it usable throughout the day and evening, creating a relaxing and comfortable space suitable for a variety of uses.

The third distinctive space is the lower-ground-floor area, which provides flexible formal and informal meeting and conference spaces.

The client wanted to create a feeling of 'industrial chic' with exposed ceilings sprayed black, new light fittings from Iguzzini, Innermost and Tom Dixon and statement furniture from Bene, Boss and Zanotta.

Carriage seating provides private meeting spaces and a semi-open breakout area incorporates a viewport into the holding area next to the lifts.

The less formal meeting area within the lower-ground-floor space includes an AV wall that can be used for presentations and conferences, but is also intended as an informal place for staff to relax as the client intends to use it for movie nights, Xbox competitions and, this summer, World Cup football screenings.

The AV wall is flanked by the original historic door leafs of the front entrance, which have been replaced to open up the main entrance.

A feature glass partition, enclosed by an angled steel frame with a distressed finish, adds to the industrial aesthetic.

The simple monochromatic colour palette is punctuated by flashes of colour in the furniture and other elements such as splashbacks and manifestation, with each floor having a specific colour to identify it, making wayfinding an integral part of the design.

Matthew Davies, general manager of Esselco, said: 'We purchased the building very quickly, which meant that we had to have plans prepared and put in action with great speed.

'The Interiors Group and Scott Brownrigg Interior Design moved very quickly on the design, ironing out all the problems, enabling us to be on site within eight weeks of taking over the building.

'An important part of the brief was for the building to be very different and imaginative for serviced offices.

'They were to include very comfortable exterior spaces, including the outdoor terrace, lounge areas and the imaginative reception - all of which was achieved,' he added.

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