CASE STUDY 22 BISHOPSGATE
the space.
According to Taylor much of the solution
was achieved by working closely with
the US team, who helped bring another
dynamic into the mix. “We built up an
amazing working relationship with Amy
who, like us has a strong branding as well
as interiors background. The amazing thing
was we were both in line with our vision
and tastes. Like me she’s got a strong draw
to vintage furniture so for instance, we
agreed that the Jasper Morrison stools are
timeless. We also had an architect in our
oŽ ice to contribute to ideas, so with all of
those disciplines we all brought something
to the table.”
The restaurant area was designed as a
separate space and features an open plan
kitchen where you can see the chefs at
work. It boasts a neutral colour palette
interspersed with subtle brown hues with
the muted tones referencing the Heraldic
emblems of the guilds. The most tranquil
space on the floor is the speakeasy, which
is designed as a stark contrast to the welllit,
contemporary dining space. It has the
feel of a member’s club and with views of
the nearby streets, including a thirteenth
century church, oŽ ers tenants a wholly
intimate and sublime environment - from
daytime contemplation to evening socials.
LIGHT AND TECH
The approach to lighting took a modern
interpretation to a timeless and classic
design, and features a choice of high feature
lighting and fittings supplied by Firefly
26 NOVEMBER 2021
Lighting. The carpentry supports the way
the diŽ erent styles of lighting reflect the
area being lit, for example whether task
lighting within booths or so™ er warmer
glows in the social spaces.
Says Taylor: “We worked on the
premise that good lighting can make
you feel a certain way, which is all part
of the wellbeing element and why it was
important that people felt tranquil in this
space. This mixture of lighting and layout
means that people can come here any time
and have a feeling of calm which is diŽ icult
to achieve in such a really big place.”
Bringing together a diverse range of
tenants, from the finance, legal, design
and engineering spheres with those
of companies occupying the flexible
workspaces is another important area of the
concept, which is why the use of technology
is integral to the space.
There is an app for tenants to pre-order
teas, coŽ ees and lunch orders, which they
can key in on their way to work. Tenants can
order food to be delivered and view the app
to see what events are taking place within
the space.
Says Taylor: The tech also helps create
the feeling of a market community. We’ve
also installed USB slots everywhere in the
space which can be replaced if the tech
changes. Food and drink is also cashless
which interestingly, when I started on
the project three years ago, was deemed
unusual. Overall through this technology
the space is incredibly user friendly and
oŽ ers a lot of ways of being integrated into
the community.”
FIT FOR THE FUTURE
Given the level of uncertainty created by the
pandemic, it was crucial that the finished
design, while timeless, also lends itself
to flexibility. For instance, the retail carts
are on massive castors so can be moved
around to oŽ er diŽ erent snacks dependent
on the day’s theme. Taylor, who is pleased
how well Level 2 complements the overall
ethos of 22 Bishopsgate, continues to have
conversations with caterers Rhubarb to
harness the flexibility of the Market’s overall
design.
“We know that workspaces are changing
and oŽ ices are consolidating” she says.
“If an organisation has an estate with
ten oŽ ices they might just have the
headquarters with 60 per cent capacity for
their workers, with people only going in on
certain days.
“This kind of space is going to be even
more important as oŽ ices change tack.
Whether people have meetings or are
experiencing a very stressful day in the
oŽ ice, it’s important to oŽ er more intimate
spaces. Places to sit together for a team
meeting, spaces where you can have a glass
of wine a™ er work, spaces where you can
meet visitors from outside the organisation
and that is why the flexibility we oŽ er here
is absolutely key.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
https://22bishopsgate.com/
http://www.designlsm.com/
/
/
