Located in a creative location in Fitzrovia, 80 Charlotte Street represents the London headquarters of an investment banking firm – an organisation crafting bespoke financial solutions for clients.
Moving to Charlotte Street, an area of creative agency, meant their new workplace needed to be something more creative, curated, and boutique. Therefore, the design team leaned into 80 Charlotte Street's bold nature, using subtle design elements to stimulate interest and surprise that give nods to the way the company stands out from the crowd.
It was pivotal as designers to ensure we could deliver a space that was simple in nature yet bold and creative with as many sustainable solutions as possible. Gensler ensured, in accordance with the engineers and lighting consultants, that the design is reflecting continuous sustainability improvement. Most of the materials and products specified throughout have an Environmental Product Declaration or other sustainable accreditations. Natural materials and biophilia are used throughout. Exposed ceilings in most areas enabled us to extensively save on the use of materials.
Moreover, most wall finishes are eco-friendly, with a clay-based finish used across all walls. The joinery in the focus rooms is made from 100% recycled plastic. Some of the furniture is made from repurposed materials, such as recycled plastic products for the tables featured in the Café space. All carpets are recycled and cradle-to-cradle certified. Also, some rooms include cork flooring, which accounts for a 0.68 kg CO2eq/m2 of low Carbon Footprint.
Creating a considered approach to a tailored and diverse environment with curated spaces to be curious, experimental, and even controversial enabled the design team to help shape a new way of work for the future. It was core to invest in people-oriented spaces by creating focus-driven work zones, sympathetic to the mood and palette of the building. The warm tones are harmoniously combined with a sense of hospitality and an eclectic personality that makes the office feel as one. Throughout the space, a sense of mystery is injected through layers of transparency and obscured vision to promote the confidentiality of the client’s work.
Screens create partially obscured views, accompanied by glowing partitions that separate each zone. When viewed from the front, signage appears matte black, and from side-on a glint of copper edging reveals itself. A digital experience design wall adds complexity and simplicity to the design, both embracing and contrasting the timber features. Mesh ceilings allow for visibility through acoustic panels to the exposed ceiling above, creating a further layer of subtle transparency. A timber art installation purposefully has one fin that goes against the grain of the others, again reflecting the unique way the company does business: teasing out and curating tailored approaches for each of their clients.