Robsons, Northwood

The brief:

We were charged with designing, specifying and refitting a two-storey space that was formerly a shoe shop. Visually, the new look needed to purvey a more residential feel than seen in previous Robsons branches, while the space needed to be futureproofed to accommodate workforce growth. We were asked to make the ground floor a comfortable working environment for its public-facing agents and branch visitors, while the basement needed dividing so it yielded two private offices, a boardroom and space for extra desks.

Our approach:

While the emphasis in 2015 was the bright primary colours that made up the Robsons logo – vibrant red and blue used in tandem with a pure white backdrop – 2021 called for a more subtle, sophisticated look. The pillar box red was dropped totally for the interior design scheme, while the stark white was replaced by neutral but warm shades of cream.

Softly does it

Occasional seating has given the new Northwood branch a very residential feel, with chairs upholstered in plush blue velvet with either a studded or quilted detail. Chair legs in metallic finishes also create a more sophisticated air and replace the austerity of traditional office furniture.

Also softening another traditional office aspect are feature lights straight from a domestic setting. The starburst pendants and floor lamps with globe shades – some with an opaque finish – provide the perfect foil for the standard suspended ceiling lights that the client wished to retain. Warm-glow LEDs were also inset into the bespoke desks to amplify the more mellow glow.

White out

The dazzling white that was previously used to balance the bold primary colours has been replaced by more homely tones. A rich shade of cream has been used on the office desk modesty panels, and soft shades of beige are seen in the subtle wallpaper on both floors – another interior design element that reinforces the residential vibe. MPL has also introduced natural walnut wood aspects throughout, especially noticeable as veneered waterfall-style desktops and as a slatted feature wall.

Additional aspects:

Space division was achieved in the Northwood office by using glass partitions in the basement – a crucial choice given the lack of natural light, while a partition on the ground floor was turned into a design focal point by using a half-height glass panel to which a semi-opaque local area map was applied. MPL was also responsible for all of the display units. The windows were fitted with low level LED panels and a street-facing digital screen was placed where it gets good visibility from a pedestrian crossing. We also installed a flush-fit LCD screen within the slatted feature wall.