Communal working at its best We know first hand how committed Aberdeen Standard Investments is to providing not only safe workplaces, but ones which inspire and add meaningful value to the tenant experience. After the successful fit out of another building in the Aberdeen Standard Investments portfolio, our team was brought onboard to transform 54 Hagley Road in Birmingham. Birmingham 10,000 sq ft The place to be People over profit In a forward-thinking and somewhat unusual approach, Aberdeen Standard Investments has reduced the number of tenant spaces in 54 Hagley Road by converting the entire ground floor to communal amenities instead. The building is on the periphery of Birmingham town centre with limited amenities in the local neighbourhood, however a new tram terminus on the building’s doorstep will drastically improve its connectivity for commuters. Additionally, Aberdeen Standard Investments' funding in secondary spaces and support facilities means tenants will find working at 54 Hagley Road an attractive prospect. New arrival area The double-height atrium in the reception gives the arrival area on the ground floor a sense of grandeur. Our design and fit out removed as many barriers as possible, including intrusive glazing above the reception desk, to maximise natural light and create a positive, uplifting and welcoming first impression. The ground floor has the feel of an informal lounge and cafe, a hub where tenants can host informal meetings, entertain guests, unwind with a cuppa or simply take a break. It’s also the perfect place to bump into other tenants within the building, increasing the likelihood of cross-tenant collaboration and business-boosting synergy. Domestic design elements come together to create a culture of inclusivity, one without any corporate airs and graces. We think this is particularly evident in the fun graphic slogans prominently displayed on the walls. Other touches include exposed natural brickwork, mixed textiles and textures, timber accents, bronze pendant lights, plants, soft sofas, leather upholstered banquette seating and vinyl flooring in geometric patterns. Lastly, the eco-friendly Richlite reception desk is a great talking point. Made entirely of recycled paper-based composites, this furniture is really thinking out of the box. Agile working Encouraging tenants to use the newly-refurbished communal facilities is easy because we’ve provided secondary working spaces that are user-friendly, welcoming and - in some cases - bookable. We designed and built a handful of rooms of differing sizes, all equipped with the convenient nice-to-haves you’d expect. These support a range of informal settings in the open plan, which double as drop-down huddle zones. Everyone knows that sinking feeling when your office’s meeting rooms are all booked, which is why these fully-furnished communal options are the perfect solution. Forward-thinking facilities We love Aberdeen Standard Investments' willingness to incorporate many more additional forward-thinking, people-focused amenities. A mothers’ wellness room, showers and changing facilities, cycle storage, accessible toilets and an exercise studio, as well as a multi-faith room which can also be used for health initiatives and GP visits. These all make balancing work and home life that little bit easier. Destination workplaces We salute Aberdeen Standard Investments for demonstrating that a building can have a culture and personality of its own, beyond the makeup of its occupants. Buildings can inspire and shape the tenant experience, creating destination workplaces: 54 Hagley Road is certainly a shining example. Explore another project View project