EMI Headquarters
Wrights Lane, London W8
Working with the client and the agent, MoreySmith helped identify this rather tired 80s office building as one that would admirably suit EMI's needs and ambitions. Drama and interaction are key themes of the design, as seen here looking up into the atrium between the internal balconies, wall climber lifts and the extrovert curves of the staircase.
Winner, BCO (British Council for Offices) Awards 2004
Regional & National winner, Refurbished/Recycled Building
Winner, DBA (Design Business Association)
Design Effectiveness Awards 2004
Office & Commercial Interiors
Smart move: floor space was extended without having to build an extension, simply by enclosing the street level colonnade, seen here in the 'before' picture. The repositioned entrance became a grand gesture with full height glazing and exposed interior structure.
'The objectives for our new head office building have been met in
full. MoreySmith's design has delivered a remarkable transformation
and has elicited a reaction from staff which is not just positive, but
beyond our expectations.'
Eric Nicoli
Then Group Chairman
One of the aims of the design was to demonstrate the vitality and 'buzz' of an exciting music company. The ground floor reception is alive with vibrant colours, a reclaimed brick wall and soft furnishings that signal informality and energy. The night time shot of the staircase illustrates the impact of the illuminated interior against the dynamic graphic below.
The red illuminated reception desk at the back of the entrance space draws the eye into the building from the street.
The plan shows how we enlarged the ground floor, creating space for two new meeting rooms and a listening room, and the positioning of the new entrance area and staircase. The red dotted line denotes the old perimeter.
The transformation of the atrium, previously a drab exterior courtyard, was a huge factor in the scheme's success. A glass roof and white glazed brick cladding made the five-storey space light, airy and seductive - and a perfect spot for the social interaction that goes with creativity.
'Breakout' social and relaxation spaces occur on all floors, some with long views, others more intimate. As a creative company EMI knows full well that the best ideas often come in informal settings. Far left is the snug at the base of the atrium, near left is a breakout space by one of the upper floor teapoints.
Graphics such as these monster grasses obscuring the glazing separating the workspace from the café, occur in strategic places.
Exposed services in the ceilings, carefully clad in aluminium, convey a raw, non-corporate feel. The scheme, with its atrium, stairs, balconies and exposed lifts, 'socialises' the interior spaces and encourages communication. The upper balconies give straight on to open plan work areas, allowing sounds and music to permeate the whole building.