Mott MacDonald
case study
The vision
When leading engineering consultancy firm, Mott MacDonald, decided to relocate their Manchester office they settled on the scenic One Picadilly Gardens. Mott MacDonald state that their most valued asset is their people, they pride themselves in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, and so creating a space that would bring their team together in a positive, collaborative environment was central to their brief. They were also keen for the workplace to simultaneously stay in line with their global workplace standards whilst subtly celebrating Manchester’s culture and identity.
The design
Employees and visitors are welcomed by a central hub on arrival, featuring soft seating, collaboration spaces, booths, and catering facilities. This area flows directly into a large, open-plan breakout space at the heart of the office, where employees can connect and socialise. Elements inspired by Manchester have been incorporated into the breakout area, adding a sense of identity and belonging. While it still reflects the Mott MacDonald brand, it takes on a unique character that fosters a connection between employees and the space, enhancing both their experience and the overall atmosphere.
Inspired by rippling water, the design places the breakout area at its centre, with waves of influence flowing outward through the office to encourage fluid movement between work settings and ease of interaction between colleagues. The space features a variety of different settings from 9 meeting rooms, bleacher seating, and collaboration booths, to touchdown table, focus pods and quiet areas, giving their team plenty of choice alongside 180 desk spaces.
The design also takes inspiration from Mott MacDonald’s further enhancing the sense of place and belonging for employees. This has been built in through using shapes and angles found in their branding in the acoustics, signage and glazing manifestation in the space. The monochromatic colours of soft greys and whites, complemented by accents of blue and turquoise creates a calm, natural backdrop. The palette feels balanced and inviting, tying in seamlessly with the architectural details and reinforcing the sense of place.
Sustainability and biophilia guided the design, reflecting Mott MacDonald’s core values. Materials such as flooring, acoustic panels, tiles, and paint were sustainably sourced with eco-friendly lifecycles. Lighting was chosen for energy efficiency and long-term use. The ripple-inspired concept also reinforces the firm’s commitment to managing carbon emissions, while organic forms drawn from biophilic principles create a workspace that is both environmentally conscious and connected to nature.
We integrated DIBE principles by including a wellbeing room and a multi-faith space. Their locations were chosen to provide privacy and dignity for users while keeping them away from noise and busy areas. We also reviewed the colour scheme to ensure it was accessible for people with colour blindness, and the analysis confirmed it met those needs.
The end result
Completed over a 15-week programme, and adhering to Mott MacDonald’s global workplace standards, the final space is a vibrant, eco-conscious office that places people at the heart of everything.
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