Save

Share

Share

Tweet

History dances with sustainability and modern elegance in the new Chancery House workspace for The Office Group in the heart of London’s lively Midtown. The meticulously revitalized nine-story heritage building stands tall as a timeless testament to the city’s enduring charm. Perched elegantly atop the labyrinthine London Silver Vaults, an underground treasure trove of the city’s rich history, this architectural gem exudes an enchanting fusion of heritage and contemporary design. It’s a place where the subtle whispers of time harmonize with the vibrant energy of today, creating a unique atmosphere. Step inside to discover a palette of colors and materials that reflect the city’s vibrant tapestry, while the essence of the building evokes a sense of serenity, echoing the ever-evolving rhythm of modern life.

Transcending the conventional concept of an office space, Chancery House stands as The Office Group’s most ambitious venture to date – a sprawling 16.000 sqm residence that champions sustainability and boasts a ‘BREEAM Excellent’ certification, placing flexibility and well-being at the forefront of its design.

Working on their ninth project with The Office Group, dMFK Architects have refurbished, reconfigured, and extended the original building, collaborating with Norm Architects to deliver the interior architecture – together demonstrating the possibility and necessity of a comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing approach to the workplace. Rising nine stories high, this architectural site now stands as a testament to the seamless integration of the old and the new, effortlessly fusing heritage with contemporary design.

Central to the collective spirit is a shared desire to care for the user, weaving intricate designs that not only engage the senses but also cultivate a serene and inviting ambiance. Our conviction lies in the belief that architects and designers bear a fundamental responsibility: to empower users to thrive – to sculpt a world that revolves around humanity. This entails a profound understanding of the design choices that resonate most profoundly with the holistic well-being of individuals and extend their positive influence on the broader community and environment. It’s not just about creating spaces; it’s about crafting environments that resonate with the very essence of what it means to live well, both for the individual and the interconnected world they inhabit.

From the very outset, The Office Group were clear in their ambitions to create a best-in-class flexible workspace, focused on internal and external amenities, wellness, and quality shared space, meeting rooms, focus booths, gyms and more. The aim was not just to offer an extraordinary array of services but also to ingeniously design spaces around these offerings, placing a profound emphasis on user comfort and well-being. In our pursuit, we delved into the profound impact our surroundings exert on our senses, mood, and overall ease, recognizing that a modern work environment should be a sanctuary attuned to the intricacies of human sensibility – a workplace that complements what your home office might lack. It’s about using the design to give people multiple opportunities to bring well-being into the daily fabric of work life, and to form part of their everyday.

This ethos is exemplified in the thoughtful provision of amenities, ranging from an organic restaurant to high-quality end-of-trip facilities. Additionally, we’ve challenged the status quo by infusing spaces like the gym, yoga studio, and communal meeting areas with natural daylight, views of green spaces, and invigorating fresh air – elements often relegated to dimly lit basements.

This deliberate attention to detail reflects our unwavering commitment to taking wellness seriously and transforming the workspace into a realm where people can thrive holistically. Thus, our collective efforts have been dedicated to infusing well-being into every nook and cranny, seamlessly bridging the gap between exterior and interior. Whether it’s a dedicated wellness area or a simple meeting room, our pursuit has been guided by the central theme of balance – a nuanced and comfortable equilibrium that engages all the senses without resorting to flashy or overly dramatic design.

We believe that the essence of designing for well-being lies not in grandiose expressions or ostentatious features but in cultivating a harmonious environment. To achieve this, we’ve harnessed the power of natural forms, materials, and colors to construct spaces that not only look and feel good but also stand the test of time. The interplay of soft and hard materials, like the fusion of textiles and bricks, creates a space that not only stimulates the user but also radiates a welcoming warmth, essential for both work and relaxation within the confines of the space.

The result is a curated interior akin to a mesmerizing miniature painting of the urban context, allowing you to feel the character of the neighborhood without having even left the house. Each brushstroke of design and every carefully chosen element come together to create a workspace that caters to a plethora of needs – be they functional as well as aesthetic, while embodying a harmony between design and environmental responsibility.

By reducing design to its essentials and by being intentional about its sensorial impacts, we introduce a much-needed stillness to our cluttered, modern environments and hurried lives. This is just as important in our work environment as in our homes. So, when favoring a neutral palette derived from natural materials, we aim to create timeless and calming designs that provide an immediate sense of comfort and highlight details of warmth, tactility, and quality and by working natural light and shadow, pleasant sounds, smells and air, relatable forms and voids as well as comfortable spatial flows, we engage with sensibilities that are universal, not bound by culture or geography.

This way, we hope to speak to all users and remain relevant for many years to come.

Design: Norm Architects
Architect: dMFK Architects
Contractor: Collins Construction
Photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen