Starling Bank’s vision is to make banking better for everyone and we wanted to do the same and match their brief to innovate their workspace ready for the future. Having previously designed and fit-out their call centre – we were delighted to be invited back to design & build their eight-floor workspace creating accessible, welcoming, and collaborative workspace better suited to the flexible requirements of post pandemic working.
The eight-floor workspace has large areas of highly flexible open plan offices, number of meeting rooms and breakout space. Subtle use of branding colours reflects the brand identity and industry throughout the space. The standout breakout space can already be seen to encourage communication and creating a more collaborative company culture.
The reception area is welcoming, with an accessible hot desk area; feature mesh ceiling tiles; complimented by Bolon flooring and neon signage to create a focal point. Intelligent use of acoustic wall panelling made from recycled PET bottles surrounds the training room area, adding a further feature to the front of house. This needs to work as an agile workspace, so the curation of stylish, practical flexible furniture is used alongside more bespoke 1-1 lounge seating, poseur height seating, informal meeting booths giving the space flexibility to adapt to the multiple uses in one day.
Whilst collaborative areas are important, the incorporation of quiet phone rooms; quiet booths for head-down work ensure the space is productive depending on how people need to use it. Collaborative spaces can double up as town-hall seating or social events giving flexibility to the staff. The added bonus is the tranquil wellbeing area with calming green walls, cork wall and hanging plants over a chill-out space with relaxing hanging chairs and bean bags where people can catch their breath; reflect and have ‘time out’ or space to think.
