Phase 1 Project Gravity Goes Live

Part of a two year programme to refurbish the existing buildings, the visual reference to the Whitbread brands will echo the physical experience that will be enjoyed by the employees in this dynamic new world.

The first building will accommodate Whitbread’s group functions and the Costa Coffee team. The business operates in a dynamic way, with vast swings in occupancy depending on which day of the week people are in. So fostering greater engagement across all the brands and across different teams is a challenge. The main focus of the design for the new workplace will revolve entirely around activity based working and will improve co-operation and good connections across all of their sites.

Early signs though are encouraging and the building has real impact as you walk in through any of the entrances.  We’re confident anyone visiting Whitbread to do business would be struck immediately by their passion for the brands they serve, and a source of pride and inspiration for everyone working on the campus as well. From the outset our challenge was to make the spaces, better represent the Whitbread brands, but also making a broader point about culture and the way it should feel to work for a collaborative business that puts its people and its customers at the heart of everything’

Phase 2 reflecting the hotels and restaurant teams and incorporating a central suite of meeting rooms, business lounges and the main restaurant will be rolled out across 2016.