Fallon, one of the UKs leading creative agencies approached Universal to pitch for their new offices after outgrowing their original home in Soho London.

In the initial stages of the project Universal worked closely with Fallon to develop a detailed functional and aesthetic brief thus allowing Universal to progress concept designs to fruition with a clear and shared sense of the spirit of Fallon.

Universal’s key concept for the new design was to encourage staff to move through all levels of the building by improving circulation routes and interspersing shared resources across the six floors. By doing so staff were encouraged to leave their personal space to congregate in areas such as the ground floor canteen which doubles up as a client reception and informal work space area.

As part of the creative process Fallon have, over the years developed a vast archive library consisting of print, film, and audio media. Universal saw potential in this resource as a destination to further draw people across and through the building. Through such the original library was split into a number of centrally located library zones on each multi-departmental floor becoming a common reference point on the three office levels while the “Creative Spine”, a giant two-storey bookcase penetrates the common areas on the ground and lower ground floors.

Dominating the entrance and reception the sculptural installation is designed to function as a library, a staircase and an ever-changing showcase for Fallon’s work.

An energetic and dynamic collective, Fallon were also keen that visitors to the building feel “part of the team”. To make this a reality Universal designed client facing suites and meeting rooms that were arranged around a hub of communal spaces. Incidental client and staff meeting areas were also created in the overlap zones between departments for this reason.