0212 Union

Union is a full building office refurbishment, focused around an upgraded ground floor reception, refurbished upper floor offices, and subtle enhancements to the building façade to improve both external aesthetics and daylighting internally.

The existing corner of the building was entirely re-modelled in order to serve as the focal point of each floorplate, with enlarged window openings providing previously unrealised views over Albert Square towards the Town Hall.

The reception area is greatly increased in size, and is designed as an evolution of the traditional office reception. The ground floor is conceived as a new focal point for the building and combined with a coffee shop, meeting areas, and a multi-use lecture room – provides flexible social, work and event space which allow people and businesses to collaborate.

The design for the upper floors exposes the existing concrete floor slabs with carefully designed exposed M&E services, to maximise the inherently low floor to ceiling heights. The result creates a well-considered, raw aesthetic that selectively uses the best elements of the existing building, by combining them with contemporary technology to create attractive, sustainable workspace.

The existing fifth floor mezzanine has been removed to create an impressive double-height floorplate, with enlarged rooflights providing enhanced daylighting and views across the city.

The project was completed on site in October 2017.