fs notting hill
	Estate Agents, West London When a client’s original brief for a routine refurbishment turns into a commission for an entire new corporate image, they are clearly ready for change. For this particular project, we believe we were the essential catalyst in starting that process of change, as well as in orchestrating all its elements. The project began when fs asked us to refurbish their new estate agent premises in Notting Hill in line with their existing style. We submitted an appropriate solution, but we also presented another approach. It was very modern, very bold and, we believed, very exciting in the way it rationalised the space and injected a new vitality. The client agreed with us and accepted it. Then, in association with other designers with whom we share our offices, we presented a new fs logo and worked closely with the graphic designer to make sure it complemented the graphics in the shop. This radical repositioning of the fs corporate image has since been much imitated by its competitors. During the project’s implementation, we drew on our experience of industrial and retail fast-track construction to complete the design under strict budget and programme constraints. Design features • the clean, modern aesthetic rationalised the client’s use of space by reducing clutter and providing a calm working environment • natural light was maximised by introducing light wells and voids in deep plan offices • the coloured floor and recesses lend a richness and texture to the predominantly white walls and ceilings • the shop front is constructed from metallic grey structural steel elements in cruciform with large panes of laminated glass in concealed metal frames • the shop front surround is in self coloured render with deliberately discreet signage in satin steel letters • all furniture, except the desking system, was designed in-house, using a mix of timber and metal • wall recesses were created for images and artwork produced by Murphy|Davé Press & Award Environment Award Scheme BD, Interiors for Architects & Designers Click on a picture, to enlarge and reveal more detail.