Project Overview

ThirdWay was founded in 2009 and champions progressive design and dependable, client-focused service. People are at the heart of everything we do, and we are unapologetically ambitious in our desire to revolutionise the modern workplace. We create offices that help businesses engage and inspire their employees, boosting productivity and profit as a result. We make offices better.

We were appointed by Revolut, a leader in the FinTech market, to design their office in Canary Wharf. Revolut has grown substantially since being founded in 2013 and were undergoing a rebrand when they approached us. They required a workspace that reflected their workforce and new brand direction whilst encouraging innovation and challenging the ‘norm’.

ThirdWay knew that succession of this project would have the potential to open up opportunities to work and collaborate further with Revolut in a number of their global offices.

Organisation

ThirdWay Interiors

Team

Lead designer - Rameez Raja
Project Director - Mason Booth
Project Manager - Daron Simpson
Furniture - Tribe Furniture

Project Brief

Revolut’s rebrand at the time meant that collaboration was key to understanding who they have evolved to become and how that could be translated into design. The brief encompassed an Italian-chic style that boasts raw yet sophisticated elements primarily through a monochrome colour palette which further enhances the industrial aesthetics whilst pops of colour, incorporated into furniture and fabrics refine the design.

Also a key part of the brief from the client was to give staff a variety of areas to work in so that they wouldn’t be tethered to their desks. The company is made up of techies who have created a banking app rather than financiers stepping into technology – this disruptive set-up was to be reflected in a relaxed and autonomous working culture that turned the stereotypical banking environment on its head.

Project Innovation/Need

We worked really hard to get under Revolut’s skin and understand what they stand for. It became quite clear from talking to people in various positions in the company that there was a ‘feel’ to their culture that they identified with and that we had to quickly grasp and translate.

Their attitude toward hard work and innovation is manifested in frequently heard phrases created in neon and concrete signage throughout the space. In the main break-out area, the ‘never settle’ sign is set against a feature wall made out of newspaper cuttings, each featuring headlines about innovation, activism, influential leaders and inspirational change-makers.

By immersing ourselves in the brand we were able to suggest these bespoke details that really bring the space to life and resonate with employees and like-minded guests.

Innovation was demonstrated within the finished product as ThirdWay created an office that pushes boundaries and challenges the norm within the Fin-Tech sector. It sets itself apart from the vast majority of commercial space in Canary Wharf which is largely clinically corporate and helps to establish a hub for innovation and technology within the financial sector.

It allows the workforce to thrive in an environment that is flexible and evolving with the brand. The brand review itself ended up being a highly collaborative journey through which the office design, which Revolut felt represented them completely, actually inspired the new brand evolution, as opposed to being guided by it.

Design Challenge

Revolut wanted to maintain the original coffered ceiling to tie in with the more industrial style but coffered ceilings do not make for great acoustics. To manage that, we installed suspended ceilings in key areas and meeting rooms, and then broke up the floorplate throughout the rest of the space to create barriers for sound. Workstations are divided by quiet booth areas; carpets, acoustic panels and soft furnishings were introduced; and a quiet lounge area provides additional sanctuary.

Sustainability

As a company we request that all materials used on site e.g. timber and plasterboard, are responsibly sourced and FSC® certified where applicable. This ranges from the partition walls through to any joinery installed. Our 100% recycling policy on site ensures we fully divide our waste and ensure waste to landfills is kept to a minimum.