dMFK recently completed The Office Group's (TOG) first flexible workspace in Canary Wharf, located on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors within the iconic One Canada Square tower. TOG worked with long-time collaborator dMFK to transform the three floors into an inviting, light-filled space that offers members flexible offices to cater for companies ranging from four to 1,000 employees.
The floors now occupied by TOG have been reconfigured to provide numerous design-led meeting rooms - all with a bespoke feel, communal lounge and recharge areas, breakout spaces and phone booths.
dMFK's reinvigoration of the TOG space in One Canada Square has focused on the creation of linear avenues - connecting the directional views from each side of the building - to flood each of the floors with light, illuminating even the centremost parts of the building, bringing the spaces to life. The three floors are connected by a dramatic new staircase to create natural circulation amongst TOG members and provide access to the full range of amenities. Each floorplate has been carefully set out to create a sequence of different spaces that feel intimate and warm, through the considered use of texture and craft within the upholstery, as well as joinery and floor finishes.
In designing the interior concept, dMFK drew inspiration from the mid-century era of Phillip Johnson and Mies Van der Rohe, a nostalgic reference to the heroic period of American corporate interior design. Stylistically, the new interior references the materiality and tonal quality of the original building foyer, using rich figured terrazzo, mid-toned sapele timber paneling and painted metalwork to create a welcoming, tactile and crafted working environment. Linoleum-faced joinery in various colors, designed by dMFK, combined with a range of Kvadrat fabrics add to the exceptional finish of shared areas within the workspace.
Extensive planting, use of custom lighting designed by dMFK and a bold color palette of deep blue, soft pink, smoky green and terracotta contribute to the mid-century style of design, creating warm pockets of space within the linear avenues that emphasize the geometry of the common spaces whilst activating the depth of the plan. TOG worked closely with dMFK to curate a selection of classic and contemporary furniture from Vitra, Normann Copenhagen, &tradition, Hai and Faina, alongside TOG's co-designed stackable Co Chair specified in a range of fabrics for the meeting rooms.
One Canada Square is ideally-situated in one of London's predominant business and financial centers, with transport links that connect it to London City Airport, the City and Central London in less than 15 minutes, offering a convenient, welcoming base for international travelers and flexible workers within the TOG network. New members to One Canada Square will also benefit from access to TOG's entire network of offices.
"We want TOG members to feel completely connected to their context - drawing in city views to the west, the dramatic Reuters Plaza to the south, gritty Stratford to the north, and the eclectic eastern views of Canada Square and the O2," said Julian de Metz, Founding Director of dMFK Architects. "Our ninth project for TOG, we've worked together to advance their concept, each time evolving the blurring of shared and private space, giving members ownership of space well beyond their office and offering access to a range of premium spaces to everyone, not just the boss. One Canada Square is our largest project for TOG to date."
Photography: Gilbert McCarragher