LaSalle Investment Management asked us to refurbish the reception of this Grade II listed building, one of their portfolio in the City.
The tenanted floors were getting a CAT A fit out and they needed a boost in reception to give the building more street presence and a better welcome for visitors.
The reception was previously a cavernous white space with a space age curved Corian wall, angular reception desk and bright ‘airport runway’ lighting.
With a modest budget we have transformed the space into a luxurious and soft ‘hotel lobby’, complete with green velvet circular booths and marble tables, offering some breakout space to visitors and tenants alike.
The wall behind reception, previously just white painted plasterboard, is now panelled out with irregular oak panels, incorporating bespoke monolithic black embossed signage and cleverly concealing various access doors.
Oak window seats have been inserted into the deep window reveals. Adding great places to perch and an inviting view of the space from the street. No 18 has been laser cut into the oak, top lit from above by a wall light.
Impact for passers by is greatly improved by the embossed No 18 which catches your eye as you walk up this historic lane. A traditional hanging 'shop sign' suspended over the door further improves the street presence.
The velvet booths are backed by bespoke curved panels of oak rods set into a black lacquer background. The booths curve away from this striking back drop and are punctuated by brass and white glass light fittings from Bert Frank.
In order to reduce spend and unnecessary waste of a reasonably recent fit out we worked with the existing ceiling, floor and reception desk. We used dark ceiling paint colours and applied a polished concrete finish to the curved wall to make the scale of the space feel more approachable.
We have added an oak rod and brass detail to the existing black corian reception desk, converting it from a more architectural form to a more textural feel, without a total replacement.
The new reception has transformed the building and given it a warm hotel feel. The atmosphere is perfect for this historic lane location. LaSalle are very pleased with the result, and the tenants all enjoy using the space very much.
Photography by Will Scott Photography
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The Vawdrey House is a multi-award winning RIBA Chartered Practice which offers a dynamic combination of bespoke design, strategic thinking and creative flair. We bring both architecture and interior design together to create unique, beautiful spaces which work for you from the inside out.
Our clients are always at the heart of our ‘top to toe’ design approach.
We work closely with you from the outset, leading you through the design stages, providing support at each stage and following everything through so that even the smallest details are considered and refined.
This is what we believe makes a great design even better.
Whether for a refurbishment or new build; a residential or commercial space, we take the time to get to know you, understand your requirements, and find clever, exciting solutions to your brief.
Our design-led, holistic approach means we always asses how the whole building works and how it is used. We explore functional and layout changes to improve the way the spaces work together. We design the exterior architecture, internal layouts and all the interior design right down to the lighting, fittings, furniture and accessories.
Working across London, the South East and beyond, we have a wealth of experience working with complex sites and period buildings with heritage protection. We approach each project with a combination of creative vision and sensitive pragmatism; always searching to get the very best from a building.
Directors Jennifer Hamilton, Graeme Montague and Ian Chapman have a combined experience in the industry of nearly 70 years. Together with our strong, enthusiastic team of architects and designers, we bring an invaluable level of professionalism and creativity to the design and management of your project.
The Vawdrey House has an exciting portfolio of inspiring spaces and happy clients. We are passionate about what we do and most of all, want you to love it too.
Close affiliations with brand consultants plus graphic and web design teams mean we can also provide a fully coordinated scheme for your retail or business space, down to website, menus or signage, whatever is required.
We work closely with you throughout, following everything through to the smallest detail, and helping you through the process.
We are design-led, and like to review the way the whole building works, understanding how you use the spaces and suggesting functional and layout changes to improve the way the spaces work together. We design the exterior architecture, the internal layouts and all the interior design and fittings, right down to furniture and accessories.
We progress the design in stages, working up the outline usually with a multitude of options in the first instance, then gradually firm up the scheme as you clarify which direction you want to go in.
Once we have the overall scheme in place we work into the detail and start to specify every element, ending in a production package incorporating everything you need to tender and construct the project.
We can also manage the entire process for you, putting together the project team, gaining planning consent and party wall awards, finding contractors, tendering the works, managing the building contract and monitoring the works on site.
We stick with you to the end, ensuring all snagging is resolved, and produce a completion pack with all necessary certificates, guarantees, maintenance and supplier contact info so you have everything in one place.
Have a browse through our latest projects and see the end results!
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