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Selfridges Headquarters

Westminster

Project Details

Practice

Alex Cochrane Architects

16 Earl's Court Square , London , SW5 9DN

The design of this 3500m2 office refurbishment encourages new ways for Selfridges’ staff to work, think and communicate. The floor plan groups workstations between glazed meeting rooms leaving a long central walkway free for a variety of spaces to suit different forms of interaction and communication. Fabric lined booths form intimate spaces while large storage units become places for groups to gather for informal discussions and presentations. Break out areas are partially screened from the work places by black open shelving. Here ideas can be shared and staff can eat and socialise. The services, typically located within the ceiling void, are pushed to the perimeter of the plan, maximizing the head height and revealing the coffered ceiling structure of the building. This allows for a lighter, brighter, more ample feel to the open plan work area. This contrasts with the more transient spaces where the use of colour, fabric and pattern is strategically utilised for a less corporate environment.