buckley gray yeoman has rejuvenated an 80s office building in london with playful interventions that bring colour and joy to the interior. a retro pop aesthetic has replaced the corporate look and feel of the building, as physical and metaphorical barriers are broken down to bring about a more convivial and lively set of workspaces.

grand timber staircase completes london office refurbishment by buckley gray yeoman
at night, the activity within illuminates the street
all images by buckley gray yeoman

 

 

already clad in pink granite, buckley gray yeoman decided to keep some of the original features of the existing building and use them to inspire a new identity. a similar hue of terrazzo is used to wrap around a new entrance to the building, which creates an entirely glazed ground-floor level and reveals the activity within. this extra-wide portal provides a unified appearance along the street and a much more inviting experience.

grand timber staircase completes london office refurbishment by buckley gray yeoman
white-tiled plinth seating 

 

 

once inside, an unusual free-flowing reception is noticeable by its lack of traditional desk and a series of unique seating elements, including a white-tiled plinth with koi carp swimming through its centre, and a sculptural leather bench wrapping a ficus tree. visitors are greeted by a host who will emerge from behind a translucent curtain, promoting a relaxed and informal atmosphere. a single yellow steel girder is positioned in the middle of the room to reveal the structure of the building and transform it into a striking decorative element. 

grand timber staircase completes london office refurbishment by buckley gray yeoman
yellow-painted girder serves as a vibrant visual decoration

 

 

visible through a glass wall in reception, a dramatic grand timber staircase leads from the ground floor office space down to the garden level. the stair incorporates a larger ficus tree growing from its centre and a series of extra-large steps that can be used either as a place to sit and relax, or as an auditorium. the aim was to create a series of multifunctional spaces that the occupants could adapt to their needs. colourful lifts continue the sense of playfulness as they transport people up through the building, while WCs are given their own bright identities with huge sliding doors. 

grand timber staircase completes london office refurbishment by buckley gray yeoman
staircase doubles as an auditorium

 

 

on the second floor, buckley gray yeoman has created a fully fitted-out office that further demonstrates how colour and materials can be used to suggest zones of activity. a green kitchen sitting and a breakout meeting room delicately enclosed by yellow translucent curtains are positioned within the open-plan setting to split up the interior. meanwhile, small meeting rooms are lined with felt to improve acoustics and create an intimate atmosphere inside.

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 5
a tree grows out of the central staircase

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 3
coloured lifts take occupants to different floors

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 6
fabric is used to create intimate breakout spaces

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 7
lighting, colours and textures create a warm and welcoming environment

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 8
glazed meeting rooms are dotted throughout the floors

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 9
spaces are organised by colour and different materials

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 10
furniture is also used to break up the main space

clerkenwell goes pop with new panagram office 11
a green-themed kitchen sits within the open-plan office

 

 

project info:

name: panagram
architecture office: buckley gray yeoman
location: london, UK

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom