Francis House by Gensler – ADC

“From the moment we walked into the empty warehouse building, we knew it was the perfect blank canvas to bring to life the vision we had for a post-pandemic workplace,” said Ruth Warder, CEO Edelman UK & Ireland and brand chair EMEA.

Genlser’s design for the London HQ of the global communications firm makes use of a former warehouse in Westminster, originally built in the early 1900s, transforming into a workplace that prioritises collaboration and connectivity across the company.

Inheriting a 35,000-square-foot building, Gensler has added a further 10,000 square feet by adding five new mezzanine levels, of which are connected by five new staircases within a complex that boasts a series of double-height areas. In doing so, spaces for meetings, and hybrid co-working hideouts have been created, sitting alongside more typical office desks.

The warehouse’s original structural fabric has been further exposed, most notably with its concrete vaulted ceiling being put on loud and proud display, with other aspects of the original building – and their various states of decay – also celebrated.

Known as Francis House, the project sees 15 per cent of the original warehouse retained, being complemented by new and old furniture. (The office has some 700 seats of which there are 24 types, catering for its UK workforce of more than 700 employees). Some of this has come from Edelman’s previous UK HQ with more being sourced from re-upholstered, vintage furniture.

The multi-modal workplace features both high and low energy zones carefully crafted to complement and enhance employee vitality. These spaces accommodate a range of preferences, providing opportunities for introverted and extroverted activities across 12 distinct areas such as a lively games room and a variety of settings conducive to both collaborative and individual work.

“We wanted to create a space of various zones and ambiences to reflect the full breadth of needs of our employees and clients,” continued Warder.  “We worked with Gensler to create an environment that truly fosters collaboration and creativity. Its flexibility allows us to embrace the diversity of work and thinking we have, and want more of, within our agency. From attic bars to expandable boardrooms, we believe it’s a space that’s truly inclusive of the broad spectrum of work and culture have at Edelman.”