MPH Sports, Marlow

The brief:

MPL was approached by existing client, MPH Sports, to design and prepare a new office in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The brief was to create a smart workplace that would relax high-net worth clients, provide a base for its expanding team and create a soundproofed podcast studio.

Our approach:

Our site survey established that the premises was in an excellent condition, being a recently converted barn. Attention therefore turned to dividing the space so it worked for MPH’s unique rituals. This included developing a concept design that fitted the company’s expertise in property investment and management for sports professionals.

A product for the podcast generation

The new space layout created two new areas. The first was a direct sign of the times: a podcast studio. We used Crittall-style glass partitions to enclose a soundproofed area. Bespoke banquette seating in a U-shape provides the perfect arrangement for recorded chats, with the ceiling dropped and timber slats added for optimum acoustics. The design is luxe enough to also create an aesthetic backdrop - recessed LED ceiling lights and a neon rope light sign – good enough for an age were podcasts are increasingly filmed.

This space, however, is multiple functional. It serves perfectly well as a meeting room when not in recording mode, with power sockets and charging points built into the banquette’s kickplate and an amply-sized table.

Crittall-style glass partitions have also been used to create an eclosed office area for six staff, complete with a comfy break out corner and wall-mounted TV.

Design match of the day

MPH Sports has an illustrious client list, almost exclusively comprising of professional athletes, and this new office needed to be ready to welcome high-profile visitors. Its collection of signed and framed football shirts needed a prominent home, so we devised a bespoke wall panelling system. Each panel was custom-made to perfectly house each frame.

We also specific a smart, interactive darts board area, acknowledging that many sports professionals use darts as a way to relax. The traditional dart board cabinet has been replaced by sleek timber slats and the space was prepped for tech – a linked screen above the board and a wall-mounted iPad to the side.

Improving kitchen practicalities

MPH Sports inherited a tiny kitchen that was more of a tea point. We reworked the space to add an island that can comfortably sit four people, with two undercounter fridges. A new run of kitchen cupboards was also added for extra storage.

Additional elements

The new reception is where brand continuity comes alive. The mustard sofa is similar to one used in MPH’s original office – a colour thread that helps anchor this growing property brand. There’s also a faux plant wall, a second neon rope light wall sign and an old fashioned ship’s bell that continues the tradition of marking when deals are done.