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Royal College of Psychiatrists

Details

Client:
Sector:
Size (sqft):
Service:
Duration:
Location:
RCPSYCH
Education
30,000
CAT A / B / Furniture
20 weeks
London
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Brief

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional body responsible for setting and raising standards of psychiatry across the United Kingdom. In addition to 230 employees, the College boasts over 19,000 international members who access it’s resources and facilities year-round. 

In response to the global COVID-19 outbreak, the College joined countless organisations around the world in adopting a hybrid working culture. This sudden shift in its behaviour highlighted a need to embrace new methodologies that could facilitate increased home working.

Consequently, Axis House was engaged to redesign The College’s Head Office on London’s Prescot Street to create a sustainable hybrid working environment that enabled the College to achieve its strategic priorities.

 These priorities included:

  • Supporting College staff and members through COVID-19 and beyond
  • Improving recruitment and employee retention
  • Delivering an excellent membership experience
  • Increasing workforce wellbeing
  • Adopting new working methodologies
  • Creating a sustainable hybrid working culture

Solution

Working in collaboration with the College’s Project Steering Group, Axis House began by conducting a 12-week review of the existing office space at Prescot Street. This process included a series of staff consultations and space planning studies, which informed a creative design solution to address every aspect of the brief. 

In total, 30,000 sq ft of workspace, set over four floors, was completely reimagined over a four-month period, resulting in a modern and agile workspace that answers all the challenges of contemporary hybrid working.

Led by The Royal College’s strategic priorities and the opportunities afforded by the building’s architecture, the final concept improves how people flow through the space, engage with its respective areas, and interact with one another.

Additional meeting rooms were constructed and phone booths installed to better facilitate collaboration between in-office and remote colleagues.

Gender neutral washrooms were added and the entrance space improved to be more inclusive, with clear signage, audio loops, and braille.

A recharge room was introduced, along with accessible tea and coffee points, to mirror the positive aspects of the home working experience.

Finally, colour was applied sensitively throughout the space, to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment that celebrates individuality.

“Axis House really listened and understood what was important to us… The final design was born out of a detailed consultation and came together very well, following a clear design language… We were delighted with how closely the team worked with us and our long standing members, throughout the process”

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