Avison Young is a global commercial real estate and project management firm, known for its intelligent approach to property strategy and client service. Following continued growth in the UK, the business sought a new London headquarters that would unite its West End and City of London teams under one roof at The Met, a striking building located in vibrant Fitzrovia.
Their ambition was to create a high-performance workplace that not only supported agile working and their relationships with clients but also reflected their forward-thinking brand. Building on years of professional respect, and following a competitive tender, we were appointed to deliver this vision through a full design and build solution across four floors. The result is an innovative workplace that unites the business and provides a dynamic platform for client engagement and continued growth.
From the outset of the project, construction was shaped by agility and close collaboration with Avison Young, and with a total project team of 22, we worked with a ‘one-team mentality’ utilising our shared expertise to ensure a seamless delivery. Although initially scoped as a four-floor project, the inclusion of remodelling basement services to support the upper floors expanded the scale, increasing total delivery to over 42,000 sq ft. We also had to continually react to challenges presented to us by the building, requiring quick thinking and the ability to pivot at speed to ensure we stayed on track to complete on schedule.
Working to a fast-tracked 16-week programme, we managed an evolving design scheme and increase in build scope, ensuring the project was delivered on time and within budget, supported by strong site management and rigorous quality assurance. Delivering within a live building presented additional complexities. Our team maintained close communication with the landlord, building manager, and existing tenants to ensure the programme remained on track and disruption was minimised.
The design was led by the concept of a vertical city, with each level offering a different layer of experience, influenced by Avison Young’s presence throughout London. The ground floor provides the solid foundations of the building, acting as the welcoming heart of the office, featuring a central cafe and a flexible space to host client events.
The middle levels act as the centre of the city with its hustle and bustle, encouraging connection and movement through shared spaces inspired by the Serpentine Pavilion. The third floor offers a tranquil, sky-garden-inspired space that allows for informal discussions and professional meetings for both employees and clients, breaking down boundaries and supporting Avison Young’s ethos that the building is a space for everyone.
This bold new workplace is centred around a spiral staircase, which encourages foot traffic and spontaneous interaction. Strategically opening into collaborative zones on every floor, the design enables employees to use each floor for different purposes throughout the day. This flow of movement was a necessity, ensuring Avison Young’s recently merged offices of over 500 employees could work seamlessly together from day one.
Sustainability was integrated into the design from the start, with the scheme designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, SKA Gold and WELL Certified. A palette of raw, natural materials, specific to the design theme of each floor, were chosen to create a warm, modern atmosphere. The use of carbon negative products such as mycelium acoustic panels and seaweed-based materials also supports Avison Young’s commitment to net zero and their future ESG leadership.
The decision to select an office space that underwent a sustainable transformation was a deliberate and strategic choice, aligning with Avison Young’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impact. By repurposing an existing building rather than opting for new construction, the project significantly reduced embodied carbon and supported circular economy principles. It now features 95% electrified heating and cooling systems, contributing to decarbonisation and operational sustainability.
A palette of raw, natural materials, specific to the design theme of each floor, was chosen to create a warm, modern atmosphere. The use of carbon-negative products such as mycelium acoustic panels and seaweed-based materials further reinforces Avison Young’s decarbonisation ambitions and future sustainability leadership. Extensive end of trip facilities provide a high-quality amenity for those running, walking, cycling or working out. Together, these choices reflect a holistic approach to sustainability—one that begins with the building itself and extends through every aspect of its fit-out.
Furniture played a crucial role in bringing the design vision to life. We worked closely with Avison Young’s team to curate a blend of new and existing pieces to create a space that felt more like a home than an office. Flexibility was a key consideration, especially on the ground floor, where every item of furniture is foldable and stackable, allowing for the space to be cleared for events. We coordinated the curation of furniture throughout the process, utilising space plans and frequent meetings with stakeholders to ensure the furniture facilitated operational readiness.
Around 85% of furniture from Avison Young’s previous workplace was re-used, from task chairs and meeting tables to sofas, reducing waste and preserving familiar elements. New furniture was specified to align with the building’s industrial aesthetic, with pieces chosen to visually depict how they were constructed, a key desire of Avison Young’s UK President, Nick Walkley. Each setting was considered holistically, ensuring the furniture complemented the design palette while enhancing the overall employee experience.
Avison Young’s new workplace reflects the strength of our delivery and ability to work closely alongside our clients. From the outset, we were trusted to take ownership of the delivery and lead with confidence. In turn, we demonstrated how strong partnerships, agile thinking and quality delivery combine to produce outstanding results. This project sets a new benchmark for workplace design and delivery within the commercial property sector and lays the groundwork for future collaboration.
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