Mastering Design and Acoustics at Shell Mex House with Concept54.
A Collaborative Triumph in London’s Iconic Strand District.
In the bustling heart of London’s Strand district, the historic Shell Mex House stands as a monument to both heritage and progress. Here, City Concepts, in partnership with StructureTone and under the visionary guidance of IA Interior Architects, has recently completed a transformational fit-out for the Page Group, a global recruitment giant. This 42,000 sq ft project, valued at approximately £300k and completed over a six-week phase, is a showcase of sophisticated design and cutting-edge acoustic solutions.
Innovative Design Meets Functional Elegance.
Our challenge was not just to refurbish an office space but to revolutionise it. The project utilised Concept54 single-glazed systems and RS32 slimline doors to meet the high acoustic requirements of today’s workspace—40dB Rw, ensuring privacy and tranquillity. Each element, from the crystal clear low iron glass to the meticulous placement of each pivot on Dorma floorsprings, was chosen to enhance both aesthetic and function.
The design called for a dramatic interplay of colours with all framework for screens, doors, and handles in Black RAL 9005, contrasting sharply against a White RAL 9010 top channel that blends seamlessly with the bulkhead above. This not only accentuates the high-quality of the Franchi Flat T-Bar pull handles but also complements the building’s unique features like low slab levels and exposed steel columns.
Navigating Challenges with Precision and Creativity.
Located at 80 Strand, the logistical hurdles of this project were significant – from navigating a complex route from the tight loading bay area to the designated floors, to the prohibition of fixing into the base build, requiring intricate coordination with the drylining team during the workshop process. Project Manager Bruce McGregor led extensive workshops with service trades to meticulously design and detail services into the tech panels, ensuring that every aspect of the installation was not just functional but flawless.
An interesting design feature requested by IA Interior Architects was the incorporation of the upper head deflection channel in white to blend with the painted plasterboard bulkhead above, creating a consistent 25mm “window frame” around all partitions. This subtle yet striking detail underscores the project’s commitment to seamless integration and design integrity.
Acoustic Excellence and Collaborative Success.
The project also involved extensive on-site acoustic testing carried out by the client’s team, which yielded exceptionally strong results, affirming the effectiveness of the acoustic design and installation. The success of this project is not only a testament to City Concepts’ expertise but also to the power of collaboration with partners like StructureTone, Franchi, Sandy Brown Acoustic Consultants, and notably, IA Interior Architects.
As we reflect on this transformative project at Shell Mex House, it’s clear that the synergy between innovative design, meticulous planning, and expert execution can lead to remarkable outcomes. This case study not only showcases City Concepts’ commitment to excellence but also elevates the standards of what can be achieved in workspace design and construction.
City Concepts
Project Manager: Bruce McGregor
Collaboration Partners:
STRUCTURETONE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Press/Media enquiries lauren@cityconcepts.co.uk
