The design for Soho Estates Limited, by Paola Leon Design and MATT architecture won the FX International Interior Design Awards 2022 for ‘Best Small Workplace’ on 30 November, 2022.
The new headquarters for Soho Estates, a 7,500 sq ft space, is located on the top floor of Ilona Rose House, Soho Estates' latest regeneration project on the edge of Soho. This office would be the company’s first purpose built and designed space, having historically occupied existing buildings across Soho.
The client brief was to create a dynamic and flexible workspace that encouraged movement and interaction. The space needed to project the family brand, be inviting and delightful to clients, colleagues and collaborators. A space that captures the spirit of Soho - vibrant, colourful, with character - encouraging personal inventiveness and creativity.
As a family-owned and family-run business, the design blurs the line between home and workplace. Using material, texture, colour and attention to detail. A series of comfortable and familiar spaces are created, alongside a variety of private and collaborative work settings.
To suit working preference or the particular task in hand, employees are able to choose from desk working, high stools, small tables, sofas, private booths, private offices, meeting rooms and a boardroom. To facilitate agile and collaborative working Soho Estates implemented an office wide technology upgrade. The use of laptops removes desk ownership and encourages staff to work around the office and facilitates remote working.
Now a necessity of the post pandemic workplace, all meeting rooms and the boardroom are fitted with cameras and the latest technology to allow Soho Estates to connect with clients in and outside of the UK. Biophilic design, along with guidelines for wellness and sustainable
thinking were an essential part of the design process, influencing the extensive planting of interior and exterior spaces, and the experiential and mood enhancing qualities of selected materials and colours.
The judges said a ‘wonderfully coherent palette that just oozes sophistication and stands apart from others’.
Ilona Rose House is a 300,000 sq ft mixed use scheme, developed by Soho Estates. The building has been designed by MATT Architecture and offers 150,000 sq ft of office space, 14,000 sq ft of retail fronting Charing Cross Road and a brand-new public courtyard with 15,000 sq ft of restaurant and bar space. Three floors are currently available for occupation. Get in touch with Ben Dossett at ben@sohoestates.co.uk for enquiries.
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