Nonprofit The Rank Foundation Hires Workplace Design Firm Peldon Rose To design a new office in London, England.
“As the charity grew, we wanted to build a central hub for both our staff and our network, so we needed more than our existing satellite office in London. Spread across two floors, the workspace is the perfect home for the charity’s team and the wide range of people and projects they support.After an introduction from architectural consultant Collins McKay, the founder’s expression comes to life. Workplace design and architecture consultant Peldon Rose was selected to bring the Rank Foundation’s vision of inclusive housing to life.
One of the key problems facing the interior design team was how to tell a story that begins in the 19th century in a workplace designed for the 21st century. They went back to the photographs and paintings that show the charity’s rich history and reimagined them as line drawings in a contemporary style. Visitors are also greeted by exhibits telling the story of Sir Rank on the reception wall, adding a sense of authenticity to the moment they walk through the door.
For the Rank Foundation, the most important chapter of its story is now, and the new workplace strives to integrate all the elements of its unique operation. The company’s employees and members of the RankNet community, a foundation-backed network of social entrepreneurs, needed a home where they could help, support and learn from each other. To unlock this potential, Peldon Rose has created large, inviting and accessible kitchen areas and breakout spaces that are accessible to everyone, breaking down barriers sometimes experienced in traditional professional workplaces. encouraged people to
Understanding the limitations of the standard ‘office desk’, Peldon Rose created a space that supports new ways of working and collaborating. A softer, lounge-style meeting area with sofas, skylights, and sophisticated amenities dissolves the ties between productivity and corporate formality. A spacious boardroom strikes a delicate balance between being a good place to hold boardroom meetings and a place that doesn’t put pressure on members to host seminars and events. Booth seating and separate phone pods are also installed to accommodate the needs of hybrid working models. For Foundation members, the new office will provide valuable access to a state-of-the-art workplace with the flexibility to find how they work most effectively.
The Rank Foundation invests money, time and expertise in entrepreneurs, many of whom lack the resources and equipment to grow successfully. The charity could not do this without having a space fully accessible to its members and employees. This commitment to inclusivity was central to the overview given to Peldon Rose that informed all the interior design decisions made on the project. Warm, muted tones create a recimarcial ambience that softens the sensory experience of the office, an important consideration for a nervous and diverse user base who wants to avoid overstimulation. ”
- position: Shoreditch – London, England
- Completion date: 2023
- size: 6,000 square feet
- design: Peldon Rose
