Creative Re-use:Marks Barfield Architects+Forme UK
82 Baker St, Marylebone, London W1U 6TE, UK
51.519867
-0.156256699999972
Creative Re-use
Marks Barfield Architects and Forme UK
82 Baker Street, London, W1U 6AE
82 Baker Street has been the hereditary home of advertising agency Publicis Groupe since 1960's, but with its lease expiring in 2013 Lazari Investments wanted to attract this anchor tenant back. Publicis Groupe had outgrown the space but had a strong desire to remain in the West End. Originally built in 1904, as HQ for Marks & Spencer, the building was extended in 1936 with a new Robert Lutyens addition. Over several decades, a series of ad hoc refits left the building disjointed, uninspiring space for a creative tenant. The design team responded by creating an energy efficient and flexible workplace, that compliments and enhances the building's heritage whilst reflecting the personality and brand of both the tenant and landlord. The project has transformed the building into a cohesive workplace with a central `heart' in the form of the new atrium that encourages social interaction and collaborative working. The tenant requested a non-institutionalised feeling for the fit out, breaking away from the normal commercial feel. The team created a bespoke brand for Publicis arguably making creatives the new corporate style for the West End. The project is on target to achieve BREEAM Excellent, an achievement for a building over 100 years old.