Charters, Park Gate

The brief:

All of Charters’ offices are underpinned by a distinct ‘industrial luxe’ theme. The client asked for its new branch in the Park Gate quarter of Southampton to share the same aesthetic but this time with a softer, more pared back Scandi feel. The directors also wanted the floorplan and furniture configuration to allow for expansion in the future.

Our approach:

The first fix phase was underway when MPL were assigned the job but the client asked the landlord to halt the work. This allowed MPL’s own trades to come in and create the desired aesthetic, underpinned by the right infrastructure and following the approved plans.

Continuity for Charters

A reoccurring theme now seen in the Park Gate branch is urban wall finishes. For this client, the look is cleverly achieved by using highly-convincing, digitally-printed wallpaper - an interior design facet used across Charters’ other projects. The use of muted grey concrete and exposed white bricks as a print maximises the branch’s urban aesthetic without the expense and installation complexities of the real thing. Adding to the industrial tone is a ceiling painted in a shade colour matched to cement, and exposed lighting trunking.

Step forward Scandi style

The industrial theme takes a more Scandinavian turn with the use of vertical wooden slats to clad the structural columns and the specification of luxury vinyl flooring in a wooden parquet design. Further softness is added by way of velvet upholstery – a mustard shade of yellow to cover the boardroom chairs and a rich teal featuring on the waiting area sofa – plus a grey carpet that helps denote public and private areas.

Pay and display

MPL installed four main display elements at the Park Gate branch. The cable hung LED light pockets -  A2 in size – are the most prominent, with no fewer than 34 examples appearing across the office’s extensive glass façade. Internally, there is an illuminated Charters logo, a back-lit map printed in the ‘negative’ and a large wall-mounted TV screen.

Additional information:

This commercial fitout project saw MPL create all of the space arrangement designs, 3D visuals, lighting/electrical/flooring plans and the specification for the exterior signage. Our work also included the fitout of a boardroom; the creation of a private meeting room using Crittall-style glass walls; cloakrooms; a staff kitchen; a kitchenette and a storage room.