A sculptural staircase, a series of swinging hammocks, flexible seatings and a stylish bar are taking part at the Saatchi & Saatchi's new London Headquarters designed by Jump Studios, a Populous company, which is behind the workplace design for Google Campus in London and Madrid. Jump Studios has completed a new London office for Saatchi & Saatchi, the renowned global communications and advertising agency. 

Located in the heart of London’s legal district on a large corner site, 40 Chancery Lane will be the new London home for Saatchi & Saatchi, which is part of the Publicis Groupe, meaning the agency will be leaving its offices at 80 Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia after more than 40 years.

Working closely with Saatchi & Saatchi, Jump Studios has taken the 100,000 sq. ft, seven storey blank canvas provided by this Bennetts Associates’ designed, Derwent London development, and created a bespoke and welcoming workspace that evokes the spirit of Saatchi & Saatchi as soon you enter the building. 

In doing so, they have also found space to re-open the agency’s in-house Charlotte Street pub, The Pregnant Man; named after Saatchi & Saatchi’s much celebrated 1970 campaign for the Family Planning Association.

Entering  through a landscaped courtyard off Chancery Lane, the company’s employees and their visitors will be welcomed by the exact same stone step from the 80 Charlotte Street entrance, incorporating the famous Saatchi & Saatchi motto ''Nothing is Impossible'', which has been moved to the reception area of the company’s new home. Looking up from the courtyard they will also see this statement repeated in large steel letters affixed to a fifth floor entertainment terrace.

Inside, a traditional ground floor reception area has been dispensed with in favour of an open plan social hub that enables visitors to mix with employees as soon as they arrive and gain immediate insight to the philosophy of Saatchi & Saatchi and its creative approach.

The reception area is intended to reflect a more open and collaborative working space than the enclosed welcome of more traditional offices, with a central bar and café area dominating the entrance space. 

Moving away from the more cellular and partitioned feel of the agency’s former Fitzrovia HQ, Jump Studios has designed an open plan space that is informal, stylish and practical in equal measure.

''Saatchi & Saatchi wanted guests to feel as if they are stepping directly into the agency, not a holding reception before the real thing,'' noted project architect Andre Nave. 

''They were keen to subvert the traditional office in multiple ways like this, which meant we could create a truly effective space. It’s not every day that a client allows you to use Rachel Whiteread’s Ghost House, Grayson Parry pottery and Paul Smith suits as inspiration for their HQ.''

‘British with a twist’ is the theme that underpins the design approach, which Jump Studios has conceived in order to bring Saatchi & Saatchi’s unique character to life. 

From bespoke herringbone Bolon flooring in the boardroom which overlooks the courtyard to wainscot panelling upholstered in houndstooth cloth lining the office walls, different materials and patterns have been employed to catch the attention and provoke a reaction, similar to the agency’s work.

High spec and bespoke lighting, furniture, flooring and finishes have been combined to distinguish neighbouring areas for different activities without the need for floor to ceiling partitioning. 

A range of mid-century furniture and lighting gives a stylish feel to the social space throughout, whilst bespoke finishes, such as the individually assembled brass tiles encasing the reception bar, reflect the required level of detail in everything Saatchi & Saatchi does.

Reflective steel tiles cover a central void which is illuminated by stunning candle effect lighting by renowned industrial designer Ingo Mauer, suspended from the ceiling of the first floor.

Jump Studios has worked together with Belgian furniture design company Bulo to create bespoke desks and shelving units for a variety of work stations. The units have been designed with a modular system, incorporating writeable and pin-able panels for brainstorming and collaborative working.

Flexible seating is positioned on each floor, with bespoke pink leather booths designed by Jump Studios, encased in pre-cast concrete and walnut tables aside data and power connection points, providing space for employees to ‘break out’ but still work collaboratively within the office.

Jump Studios’ work has also extended to the neighbouring Tooks Court, a 19th Century building that was retained as part of Derwent London’s re-development at 40 Chancery Lane. 

The listed space was refurbished and incorporated into the new construction around an internal atrium. This will be the new home of Fallon London, the creative agency also owned by Publicis Groupe.

Jump Studios’ co-founder and creative director Shaun Fernandes said, "Working closely with Saatchi & Saatchi's senior leadership team has been incredible as they have embraced and guided design direction and ideas that other agencies would not dare to explore. 

Moving Saatchi & Saatchi from their spiritual home on Charlotte Street to Chancery Lane indeed proves Nothing is Impossible, and the feedback from the client is that it is now the agency they expected to be working at; which is just as it should be."

Jump Studios, a Populous company, is an award-winning architecture and interior design practice based in London. Encompassing retail, workspace, exhibition, brand experience, pop-up, restaurant and bar design, Jump Studios has established an impressive client list including Google, Nike, Rapha, Bloomberg, and Starwood Hotels.

All images © Gareth Gardner

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