YoooServ, Reading

The brief:

MPL Interiors was asked to fit out a sprawling fourth floor area measuring 12,948 square feet, with the aim of maximising and dividing the space so it could be rented out on a serviced office basis. The client wanted to continue the YoooServ design identity that MPL had created for the company at its 8,500 square feet Weybridge centre, blending this with influences from the nearby Abbey Ruins.

Our approach

our initial assessment saw us draw up detailed general access, electrical, lighting, flooring, ceiling and finishing plans – each crucial for such a complex project. The next technical element involved commissioning and positioning numerous black-framed glass partitions to create a series of private offices and meeting rooms.

To allow YoooServ to attract a variety of tenants, MPL’s space plan featured offices to accommodate 3 through to 10 desks, with one larger ‘super’ office to the rear of the building, capable of housing 48 people.

The layout also yielded a 12-person formal boardroom with an 85” wall-mounted screen and two storage sideboards, a more informal 8-person meeting room with 65” Clevertouch wall-mounted screen, a series of meeting booths to accommodate 1, 2 and 4 people, a single office phone booth, storage rooms and printer/copier stations.

A sense of drama

Design inspiration was drawn for the local Abbey Ruins - a 12th century heritage site and burial place of Henry I. The ruins’ stonework and dramatic arches heavily influenced the YoooServ outcome, with real stone slips being installed by a team of master craftsmen and the structure of the reception area booths featuring arches that mimic the historic architecture.

A complementary colour palette continues the theme, with shades of dark blue, regal purple, green and gold adding a slightly Gothic Victorian edge. To stop the atmosphere feeling too dark, the client’s penchant for illuminated signs was embraced, with a number of wall-mounted, neon light installations and an LED letter ‘Y’ channel-set into a feature wall, providing contrast and highlights.

Bold biophilic

The MPL design team used plants as a major design accessory in this commercial office. A mix of bespoke floor-standing and eye-level planters, hanging baskets, wall panels and ceiling-suspended plant platforms keep the look lush. For ease of maintenance, high-quality faux plants were used at height, with living plants at lower levels for convenient watering and care.

Take a break

MPL planned in a number of break out areas that allow tenants to collaborate or hold informal meetings. There are a mix of bar-style counters with high stools, sofa groupings, banquette seating, a dining table, a kitchen island and occasional chairs set around coffee tables.

Meet & greet lounge

The reception area really makes a statement, with its bespoke stone desk, refreshment station, feature timber slat wall and lounge area. It’s also here where you first see this design’s love of statement pendant lighting. Opaque orbs, slim pencil-style cylinders and caged light bulbs are some of the styles that add ambient light as well as interest. This theme is followed up in other parts of the office, including a stunning ‘roll’ pendant light suspended over the boardroom table.

Additional elements

This commercial office really packs a design punch, with creative elements that elevate it above the bog-standard workplace. Highly detailed wall panelling, damask-style flooring, gilded wallpaper and herringbone-pattern floor coverings join recurring elements, such as the natural stone feature walls and surfaces, decorative LED light strips, timber slats and black accents, to create a richly diverse setting.