The London Borough of Newham is undergoing a major transformation, involving the relocation of Council offices from 50 buildings, ranging from town halls to portakabins, into one central space. Newham has further challenged itself to use its office space more effectively, requiring teams to share facilities, with a ratio of 2,500 people calling 1,780 work positions home. The objective to operate in a more collaborative working environment has led ID:SR to create a variety of work settings and develop a ‘neighbourhood’ concept.

Design:

ID:SR echoed the neighbourhood principles in the design. A cityscape is created with timber ribbon that wraps up, over and around the more intimate ‘living room’ and ‘study spaces’. The structured urban form contrasts the variety of wallpaper patterns in jewel-like colours that clad the interiors of the rooms. The ribbon creates a natural screen to the more private desk clusters. Parklife provides an informal, reflective place to get a coffee and interact with colleagues in the informal interior landscape. The offices are a diverse range of places to suit Newham’s varying activities, creating a synergy between the neighbourhood in the office and the Borough it supports – a place created with a real sense of home.

Innovation:

ID:SR was tasked to develop this occupation strategy to identify people’s activities. People do not only work individually, they also undertake various collaborative tasks. Sharing desk space frees up 25% of the office floorplate for the various neighbourhood zones. ID:SR provided a sense of ownership in this transformational new office environment, which mirrors the Council’s provision of services for diversity and for the wider Newham community.