Bailie Group / CDS
Bailie Group and CDS wanted Riverside House to become a home from home and a future flexible space that would challenge the notion of the traditional workplace. In particular they asked for it to have ‘memorable impact’ in order to help attract and retain the best talent. The findings from the initial workplace consultancy project revealed that a wide variety of collaboration and community spaces were also a must.
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Sector
Professional Services
Location
Leeds
Size
13,987 sq ft
Duration
17 weeks
Scope
Workplace Consultancy
Interior Design
Fit-out
Furniture
The Challenge
Create a client facing, FutureFlexible workspace
Create a wellbeing focused outdoor space
Incorporate within the design a reflection of the local Leeds heritage
How we added
value
This interior is a celebration of space. By making three key changes – removing the ceiling on the second floor to reveal the pitched roof; sacrificing parking to create outdoor space and planning the layout with an angular rather than linear configuration – the building feels spacious and has increased its volume significantly.
The dedication of a whole floor to more collaborative and social work settings – spaces that can’t be found elsewhere in the building – help to promote the idea of movement and community and create a strong wow on arrival.
Natural light is maximised, a mixture of woods, metals and brick finishes are in abundance and employees are spoilt for choice with numerous activity based settings to choose from. There’s exceptional storytelling at work too as the design brings CDS’s new branding to life and takes inspiration from Leeds itself. The city’s dark arches and neon lights have been recreated and are complemented with a strong link to the neighbouring canal, thanks to the addition of a playful outdoor mezzanine. Electric car charging and cycle storage and showers have also been added.
This project’s design was driven by the desire to think beyond work. This is more than a workplace and is future flexible, giving The Bailie Group and CDS the scope to expand and become more agile in time. A best practice example of what a ‘destination office’ can be, this building offers a highly memorable and distinct user experience. The project was delivered at the height of a pandemic.
The finished office is much than we ever expected and the overwhelming response has been a huge wow from the moment you walk in the door. Claremont really understood what we were trying to achieve from the outset and has given us a highly agile, flexible, collaborative and social space. Without doubt we now have workplace with a difference and it’s added real value to the building too.
Philip Walter, The Bailie Group
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