53 Great Suffolk Street

Studio Weave with 00 have completed a 15, 000 sqft workspace fit-out in Southwark for George P. Johnson. The international experience marketing company required an EMEA headquarters that met their diverse range of operations. The two storey workspace is contained in a renovated and extended Victorian warehouse that was designed by Hawkins Brown.

Our team worked closely to create a scheme that balances a palette of natural materials with vibrant colours and extraordinary forms, reflecting the diversity and richness of the 100 year old organisation.

It was important that the design accommodated George P Johnson's working needs in an efficient and comfortable manner, but also managed to represent more fundamentally who they are and what they value.

In this respect, it was clear that they were a people-centred creative business - both internally in how people worked with each other, and externally in how they engaged with their clients and the world.

As a result, we have tried to design a space that does not subjugate its employees to a singular corporate style, but instead reflects the individuality and diversity within the company, celebrating the collective capacity and achievements as a group of talented people working together.

Our 'Orangery' space allows teams to meet in a light - filled, green oasis where close proximity to the kitchen and servery makes it a convenient lunch spot whilst also inviting serendipitous meetings between different departments in the organisation. 

Privacy and quiet was achieved by means of the acoustically protected skype booths - clad in diagonal American oak slats.

Special aspects include the 8 metre diameter ‘Roundhouse’ – a central gathering spot in the reception area of the office. Consisting of semi-circular concentric lattice walls that move on tracks, around an inner curtain, the radial fish-scale pattern floor intensifies to the centre – reflecting the performative aspect of the company’s work. It provides a flexible multiple purpose facility for presentations, events, mock-ups, training and meetings - giving these activitites a sense of intrigue and drama.

Our 'noodle' ceiling responded to the geometry of the slanted warehouse roof - providing an animated effect for creative meetings whilst also acoustically sheltering the space.

Semi - private booths help to create an intimate atmosphere whilst maintaining the open plan nature of the space.

The result is an array of different quality spaces that allow a variety of activities and interactions in the organisation.

Overall the space was designed with an authenticity that conveys a richness and a quality that might be a timeless backdrop to the ambitiously evolving company.