Words by Emily Martin
Images by Gareth Gardner
PROJECT INFO
Client Virgin Media O2
Architects Gensler www.gensler.com
Completion 2024
Size 81,750ft2
GENSLER HAS COLLABORATED with Virgin Media O2, and working alongside BW: Workplace Experts, to design an inclusive, sustainable and ultra-connected London headquarters that provides a brand new office space for thousands of employees to meet and collaborate on their office days, while also supporting the company’s flexible working policies.
Located in Paddington and spanning across six floors, the new purpose-built home – which represents Virgin Media O2’s first major office investment since their merger in June 2021 – was designed with connectivity at its core. The design focuses on the concept of bringing Virgin Media O2’s mantra ‘see what you can do’ to life, with the design team achieving this through a co-creative partnership, engaging closely with employee focus groups, DE&I representatives, and the in-house brand team.
With inclusivity a key driver in the design concept, each floor provides a unique destination for staff that recognises varying needs and empowers individuals to select spaces that suit their preferences. Alternative spaces have also been integrated, including libraries and comfortable seating areas for screenings.
Standout features include a prestigious ground-floor client experience area, and a space on the ninth floor focused entirely on collaboration, with a conference suite, boardroom, multi-functional dining and social space, and a 130-capacity event studio. Every floor further includes ‘accidental meeting points’, to encourage spontaneous discussions, which are opposite the lift lobby of each floor and serve to bring employees closer together into one team: a key goal for the new office and a cornerstone of the merger.
BW: Workplace Experts has delivered each floor to reflect the wide range of services offered by Virgin Media O2 and what its customers use its connectivity for, from gaming and musicthemed floors, through to sports, streaming and more. This resulted in over 350 individual finishes and 75 light fitting types, 22 being feature lighting, to match the individual look and feel of each floor.
Paul Kavanagh, operations director at BW: Workplace Experts, comments: ‘Through extensive attention to detail and dedicated workshops with the client, we delivered numerous individual finishes to help achieve the unique look and feel of each floor. The result is a workspace that reflects the collaboration of the Virgin Media O2 teams, bringing their vision to life through every individual fit-out detail.’
Gensler worked closely with the brand team to tailor the design to their purpose and messaging. The brand palette is woven throughout the space, and each floor features destination zones that connect users with different aspects of their mission – ‘connect + inform’, ‘supercharge’, ‘perform’, and ‘transform’. Inspired by Virgin Media O2’s ethos of connectivity, these zones are themed around cultural threads of influence that connect individuals with their passions, encompassing activities such as sports, streaming, gaming, music, dance, and a versatile arena space.
Sustainability was also a key driver in the design, with the office targeting WELL Platinum, and BREEAM Outstanding certifications. The Gensler design team integrated sustainable practices, including carbon tracking, resulting in approximately 630t of carbon saved through sustainable materials and strategies. Existing light fittings were also reused and repurposed to minimise environmental impact.
Megan Dobstaff, design director at Gensler, says: ‘Our design for Virgin Media O2’s new London headquarters captures the essence of their purpose by offering diverse spaces that empower employees to connect and thrive as a united community. By collaborating closely with the workforce and focusing on their experiences, we created an inclusive environment that inspires collaboration and sparks creativity.’
KEY SUPPLIERS
Fit-out
BW: Workplace Experts www.wearebw.com
Specialist lighting consultant
Light Bureau www.lightbureau.com
Flooring
Ege Carpets www.egecarpets.com
Forbo www.forbo.com
Florim www.florim.com
Furniture
Rawside www.rawside.co
Opus Magnum www.opusmagnum.co.uk
Icons of Denmark www.iconsofdenmark.dk
