Buro Four opened its new Headquarter offices, last year, celebrating 25 years for the organisation.
The move to 1 Naoroji Street was not only a shift to larger office space for Buro Four but an opportunity to improve its working practices and create a confident new home. Add to this a limited budget and an economic downturn and the challenge was even tougher and the result even more impressive.
Design is about asking questions and Buro Four started the process by setting up user groups before establishing key principles, namely: to create a truly flexible workplace, an increase in communication points, no eating at desks and a paperless clean desk at the end of each day. The result is a building that recognises the importance of moving around, of talking to colleagues in search of better solutions, and the corporate energy that this can create.
Originally a primary school built in 1876, Buro Four took on the sensitive renovation of this building introducing a reflective grey resin floor, a neutral white and grey colour scheme and a fully glazed full height atrium overlooking the old playground. Tony’s café is central to the life of the building, creating a relaxed eating place for all staff and an informal meeting space.
‘Crisp, professional and thoroughly well thought out. And we are not talking about superficial crispness but crispness of depth, layer after layer of considered, businesslike workplace design: the most up-to- date information systems, a wireless environment, voice over IP, ruthless elimination of paper, interchangeable workstations, cool meeting spaces, elegant space planning, great signage, brilliantly efficient lighting and environmental services, superb eating spaces and staff facilities – the lot.’ Frank Duffy, founder of DEGW.
