Channel4

London

Bird & Bird, previously split across three buildings, due to the expiry of several lease obligations in 2016 began developing a forward-looking property strategy for their London accommodation. The company wanted to consolidate into one London base and appointed MCM to undertake due-diligence to help with their building selection process.

Following this initial due-diligence, Bird & Bird decided to take the whole of 12 New Fetter Lane, a 140,000 sq ft building over ground and 12 floors. This provided Bird & Bird with the flexibility to suit its plans to grow its London headcount by 25%. We worked very closely with Bird & Bird and architects MCM to establish a robust brief that would inform the design of their new workplace. The results are an agile ready open plan work environment that also contains a variety of work settings that support collaboration and concentrated work.

The design team consulted widely with staff and the Bird & Bird steering group to communicate the designs at the outset to ensure there was buy-in across the organisation. It was important to help reassure staff that the new office would meet their needs in terms of the technology that allowed them to move around easily and in terms of appropriate quiet space for concentrative work.

The fit out of the new premises has been designed to encourage collaborative working, increase collaboration across departments and utilise improved technology more efficiently to enhance client service.The office includes dedicated client spaces on the first and twelfth floors, including larger and more flexible seminar and event spaces, client meeting rooms and a dedicated Business Lounge for clients and international visitors to relax and work in while they are in London.