Weightmans LLP: Manchester

Location: 3 Piccadilly Place, Manchester
Sector: Legal
Project Size: 18,950 sq ft
Project Value: £850k
Scope of Works: Design > Contracting > Furniture
 
The Brief   
Having recently worked with Claremont Group Interiors on the Design and Build of their London office, Weightmans LLP appointed Claremont to complete the design & fit-out of its new Manchester office at 3 Piccadilly Place. The key element of the project was to provide a sense of ‘connection’, bringing the Manchester legal team together within a single, unified space which a clear brand identity.
Following on from the D&B of the legal practice’s London Office, the challenge for Manchester was to move 120 staff spread across 4 floors of a period building at the top of King Street, to occupy 1 floor of a brand new development opposite Piccadilly Train Station. Weightmans felt that this prominent location would help move the business’s profile forward and  also aid accessibility for staff and clients alike. Claremont was asked to deliver a solution that would help bring the Manchester team together, provide breakout and team space, and create a high impact customer journey with high quality client meeting and seminar space.
Weightmans opted for the 1st Floor at 3 Piccadilly Place, principally due to its relationship with the external Piccadilly footbridge immediately adjacent to the building’s prow—whilst this would set more of a challenge—the need to keep Weightmans ‘connected’ to the outside world was important. 

The Solution  
The decision was made to bring the reception into the centre of the floor, with the client suite radiating off around it. This allowed Claremont to optimize the views on the best two sides of the building. By siting reception here, the challenge was to then provide a customer journey which would fit with client expectations. This was achieved by forming a long curved corridor, one side of which would comprise a bespoke illuminated wall with six horizontal strips of light leading down to reception. The other side was then made from a mixture of glass-fronted meeting and quiet rooms, all with bespoke manifestation. Feature carpet cuts highlighting Weightmans colours then lined the corridor and these colours were again picked up in client seating. Behind the meeting rooms Claremont formed a large communal breakout space that could be used by Clients and Staff alike. The use of doors were restricted unless absolutely necessary, giving a sense of connection between all front of house spaces. The two large wings of the floorplate were then utilized for open plan desking, with meeting/ breakout spaces to punctuate. Breakfast bar tops were positioned facing out around the perimeter windows, giving staff the opportunity to take in the views.