Inclusive workspaces – focussed on sustainability.
As Europe’s biggest conservation charity, the National Trust is dedicated to looking after our nature, beauty, and history for everyone to enjoy. Southernsbroadstock was honoured to contribute to the refurbishment of workspaces at the organisation’s headquarters in Swindon and, more recently, the London offices in The Strand.
What were the challenges?
The initial project at Heelis, the National Trust’s HQ, was completed in September 2023. Led by interior architecture practice, WyldeIA, the team was challenged to upgrade the outdated infrastructure, facilities and working spaces, within this award-winning building originally constructed in 2005.
The project needed to incorporate new workplace settings for collaboration, meeting, and quiet areas, more suited to a modern hybrid working environment, as well as integrating a sense of connection to National Trust’s core purpose. The Town Hall area was also re-imagined offering large-scale hybrid conference facilities in a previously under-utilised wing of the building. Inclusivity, together with acoustic management, were significant
considerations. The furniture palette, for example, needed to be varied and adaptable to meet both physical and neurodiverse needs. The ambition was to create a variety of settings to enable people to choose the most appropriate environment based on their choice and requirements.
Following the same design ethos and commitments to sustainability, the London project needed to follow similar principles whilst introducing influences from its metropolitan location. A historical period property built
in the 1880s, Savoy Hill House has been home to a number of renowned occupiers including the BBC. It was important, therefore, that the design approach respected this heritage.
Sustainability was to be at the centre of the design approach, yet budget management was also critical.
What were the challenges?
Within Heelis, the team adopted a policy of reuse of existing assets wherever possible. New products were only specified to enhance the new interior aesthetic and inclusivity focus.
Reupholstery of chairs, using natural or environmentally conscious fabrics such as wool and textiles manufactured using recycled ‘ocean bound’ plastics, meant that the new ‘soft’ colour palette could be introduced. The concept was based on harmonising with the existing natural timber within the building and the biophilic features integrated within the floorplate design.
Following the success of the Heelis project, the same supply team was appointed for Savoy Hill House. WyldeIA managed to overcome the difficulties of integrating existing on-site products with assets from other London premises. Natural wood features were also introduced throughout the design to reflect the interior style within its HQ ‘parent’ whilst respecting the heritage architecture.
Southernsbroadstock worked collaboratively with WyldeIA to provide the additional new furniture requirements including the large, Orangebox meeting room table. The team also needed to identify more budget-inclusive seating options with the aim of matching the aesthetic ‘ideal’.
What was the outcome?
Driven by the motto ‘Same but Different’, the team focussed on fine-tuning the existing interior and implementing meaningful changes.
Both projects place people at the heart of the design approach. Each iteration has achieved the ambition to make everyone feel welcome, valued, and able to work effectively recognising the importance of collaboration and concentration spaces.
The team has successfully combined accessible design strategies whilst complying with the National Trust’s robust sustainability policies. In both cases, the outcome is a stunning, inclusive and highly functional environment delivered according to budget requirements.
Testimonial.
“The National Trust were an amazing client to work with and we thoroughly enjoyed working with them to bring each project to life. We are grateful for the support from each member of the supply team. Southernsbroadstock offered a commitment to the achieving the project ambitions whilst recognising the necessity for careful budget management.”
Wydle, Interior Architecture & Workplace Specialists.
