The Brief
Babylon Health, one of the world’s fastest growing digital healthcare companies, had acquired new office premises in Knightsbridge, London, and appointed Domino to carry out the design, build and full fit-out including mechanical and electrical (M&E) installations and a roof-top outdoor space. Our remit included the full refurbishment of the two floors, including the installation of a brand-new staircase between the two in order for Babylon staff to move between the office spaces without using the building’s common areas. Our brief was to include an aesthetic and welfare facilities that met the company’s ambitions as a world-leading employer.
Our team worked collaboratively with the client and architect to find a solution to the challenge of installing a staircase between the two existing floors. Once agreed, we carefully planned and executed the works, cutting the hole in the floor and securing the area ahead of the steel staircase delivery.
We challenged and improved the design, maximising the space to provide welfare facilities that exceeded the client's expectation and created real added value for them and their workforce by drawing on our expertise to provide advice and support.
This meant delivery of:
Office space, including hot-desk functionality and breakout areas
Mother and baby facilities and spaces
Prayer rooms
Gym, with separate changing rooms, shower facilities etc
Private thinking and calming spaces
Re-modelled outdoor garden space on the 4000ft² roof terrace
Bespoke lighting design to encourage productivity and creativity
Full M&E design and installation.
The Challenges
As the office is located in Knightsbridge, opposite Harrods department store, managing stakeholders and minimising disruption was a key challenge. The building had a restaurant below, restricting deliveries and logistics, working offices within the building, and residential accommodation above. All these stakeholders meant that we had to restrict ‘noisy works’ and find an approach that mitigated disruption as much as possible. We planned the staircase delivery for a Sunday to avoid the requirement for a costly and disruptive road closure. We worked with care to plan logistics in such a way that did not impact the restaurant on the ground floor of the building, liaising with them and maintaining contact throughout. We spoke to both the office and residential neighbours in the building, assuring them that we were deploying every mitigation we could to minimise noise and dust, and agreed that there was to be no out-of-hours working (whilst this would have suited the offices, it would be particularly disruptive to the residents).
Find out more...
We went above and beyond Babylon’s brief, providing significant benefits to their workforce as a result of a deep understanding of their ambitions combined with our experience, skills and resource.
Working in such close proximity to the surrounding stakeholders/ neighbours posed real challenge, and we approached this through a conversational, personable approach.
“I would like to thank Domino Commercial Interiors for their support and hard work in delivering a fantastic new office space in Knightsbridge. Also, the outstanding work and quality in delivery of two state of the art clinical facilities in the heart of London".
Matthew Austin, Director of Estates, Babylon Health
The Outcome
We innovated solutions, cleverly utilising the available space to maximise benefits for Babylon and their workforce, who now have a space fit for purpose, in the heart of London, that reflects the ambitions of the company and its employees.
Delivering this project in such a constrained site was not without its challenges, and we overcame this by deploying a caring, personable approach and liaising with the surrounding stakeholders firstly in person, and then maintaining contact and availability throughout the programme. Checking in with residents and office occupiers, we were able to manage expectations, capture concerns, and demonstrate that we were listening and understood, providing exemplary service.
Interested in how we can transform your space?
We are always happy to share how we have achieved results for our partners/clients on past projects, and want to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals.