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MICROSOFT HUB, WEST LONDON


13


teams’ needs changed. The work was completed earlier this


year. Beginning with floor seven, visitors find at its centre the Refresh Hub – a dynamic, open space that’s slightly hard to define. One part feels a little like a univer- sity campus canteen and/or common room as a result of its kitchen and functional tables and chairs. Yet nearby are lounge areas with stylish armchairs, coffee tables and carpets. There’s even room for a drum kit and guitar amps for staff with musical talents. Much of this area features the relative luxury of timber flooring, while overhead there’s a stripped-back aesthetic with ceiling tiles removed to reveal services. The result of this mix is a vibrancy that is relaxing and inviting – exactly what Microsoft wanted. Templeton says: “The space on floor seven is mostly occupied by Lift London, who were used to having the energy of Soho on their doorstep at their old home. They were also familiar with Soho House [a private members club popular with creatives], which they liked because of the intimate, textured ambience, and because it had a certain exclusivity. Putting those themes together with Paddington’s history around the railway station, we thought


ADF JANUARY 2018


Although much of the previous tenant’s layout was retained, doing away with several meeting rooms allowed for a much more open-plan setting


there was an interior design dialogue we could tap into – Soho meets Paddington.” Despite the absence of very many physi- cal barriers, the neighbouring HoloLens ‘client’ space is quiet, providing a library- like environment of focus and peace.


Small changes, big impact


The floor also features plenty of more ‘traditional’ working areas – but subtle steps have been taken to encourage staff not to be too tied to their desks. Templeton says: “Small things have had quite an impact. Things like removing storage pedestals under desks, everyone using laptops rather than desktop PCs to encour- age flexible working and sit/stand desks for staff that wanted them.”


FLEXIBILITY


Spaces needed to be fluid and flexible to support the ever-changing of nature of tech work


PROJECT FACTFILE: MICROSOFT HUB


Main contractor: Overbury Architect: Gensler Lighting consultant/ M&E contractor: Hoare Lea Joinery: Brown & Carroll Flooring: Timber – Havwoods; Ceramics tiles – Domus Furniture: Knoll desk systems; Conran; SCP; Very Good & Proper; Retrouvius (reclaimed table tops) Lighting: Trainspotters; Skinflint Design Curtains: Vescom Writable Paint: Idea Paint Fabric Panels: Kvadrat


WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK


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