Aviva Offices – London
tp bennett designed a modern and collaborative workspace at EightyFen in London for Aviva, focusing on connectivity, sustainability, and creating a dynamic environment with natural light and engaging communal areas.
tp bennett has completed the new London office for Aviva at EightyFen as part of its move from the 1960s St. Helen’s building. The 115,000 sq ft workspace spans across six floors and has been designed to create a fresh and modern environment for Aviva’s clients and main hub for its London-based employees.
As the original architects of EightyFen, tp bennett leveraged its intimate understanding of the building to create a workspace reflective of Aviva’s collaborative culture. The designers used EightyFen’s signature light-filled atrium to create a visual connection and transparency across the business, focusing energy and attention inwards. This marks a significant shift from the central core typology found at the St. Helen’s building and has resulted in a more dynamic and engaged work environment.
The design focused on creating community and enhancing connectivity throughout. tp bennett has created a seamless client arrival experience starting from an exclusive concierge point on the ground floor, which invites visitors up a feature staircase suspended over EightyFen’s shared events space. This leads to a dedicated reception and a warm, inviting gallery space complete with its own barista coffee bar. Meeting rooms of varying sizes line the perimeter as part of the client suite. This space also provides access to large subdivisible meeting rooms which can host larger events.
A new central staircase links levels 1 through 4. Surrounded by glazing to create visual transparency, the generously sized staircase encourages chance encounters between colleagues. The staircase features adaptable elements of the organisation’s brand and history, collaboratively designed by tp bennett, brand specialists Landor & Fitch and Aviva. On each level, it opens onto activated collaboration zones and refreshment areas which wrap around the light-filled atrium.
The new Office brings together Aviva’s various business units in one central location. Open-plan agile workspaces, organised as neighbourhoods, are located around the perimeter of the floorplan to maximise access to daylight. The workspaces are integrated with a central booking system, and comprehensive smart sensors, to help colleagues plan ahead and work together. The design breaks down siloes that were more prevalent in traditional offices and creates a fresh and modern workspace filled with light.
tp bennett worked closely with the client to craft a bespoke ‘Aviva Fitout Sustainability Strategy’ which aligns the design brief with Aviva’s ESG programme, including their climate-focused targets. This strategy set 105 environmental and social metrics over the project’s design, construction and operational phases, and was produced as a repeatable process for consistent use across Aviva’s portfolio. Working closely with the client as well as Hilson Moran, 24 Ltd, Overbury, Arcadis and multiple suppliers, the project’s achievements included optimisation of operational and embodied carbon, responsible sourcing and specification of circular materials, health and wellness, social value and equality, diversity and inclusivity.
As well as sourcing products using ‘AD Lib’, tp bennett’s proprietary responsible sourcing platform, the project also achieved one of the most comprehensive embodied carbon calculations for a fitout on record – with more than 500 products assessed. Another key focus was on using the project’s exciting results to influence Aviva’s work culture, helping employees use their new office as sustainably as possible. As part of a wider user engagement process, tp bennett installed sustainability information tags onto furnishings and plants to help share environmental and wellbeing information to Aviva’s staff and guests. The performance of the fitout is designed to be carefully monitored and continuously improved throughout its operation.
A dedicated and thoughtfully designed well-being suite underscores Aviva’s commitment to creating a holistic and positive workplace. This comprises a central lounge, meditative spaces, a multifaith prayer room, a first aid treatment room as well as a designated space for parents.
A neutral, warm colour palette with a mix of timber flooring, carpet and tiles is employed throughout. References to Aviva’s brand identity are strategically placed in key spaces to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose. A diverse art collection adds further character to the spaces.
Design: tp bennett
Photography: courtesy of tp bennett