Great Portland Estates plc (GPE) commissioned Conran and Partners to redesign the ground floor of one of London’s most prominent office buildings, 200 Gray’s Inn Road. Originally designed by Foster + Partners in 1991, the building is occupied by several high-profile media organisations, including ITN Productions, ITV and Warner Bros.

GPE felt that the conventionally configured office reception was no longer fit for purpose and sought to adapt the space to respond to the changing work culture of modern occupier and compete with the maturing and agile co-working, short-lease sector.

The updated design of the reception area exudes the feel of a private members’ club, blended with cafe culture and a hotel experience all within a single space. The new ground floor has transformed the arrival experience and provided a much-needed amenity, changing the way occupiers and visitors use the building.

The building’s original architecture uses materials which are simple but robust, predominantly concrete, granite, aluminium and glass. Equally authentic materials have been included to warm and soften areas of the ground floor, including terrazzo, metal, timber and leather.

The design serves to provide a stronger connection between the external, urban environment and the building’s interior at street level, breaking down the barrier between the public and corporate environments and drawing people into the space.

In some places, the design creates new interventions. For example, lighting elements are installed within the existing structural concrete coffers to complement the inherent design features of the building, while oak panels and partitions give a warm, natural and soft feeling to the ground-floor area. The design includes lounge seating, booths and sharing tables, to encourage users to engage with the various different spaces.

Other key features include a bespoke reception desk designed in terrazzo, and a co-working table to encourage staff to use the space as an extension of their offices.

Our concept seeks to retain the spirit of the original design by taking cues from the order and proportions of the existing building, while maximising usage of the ground-floor space and keeping interior architecture interventions to a minimum. The result is a space with a real warmth and energy about it.