McCann World Group

Key Details

Location:: London
Professional Team:: Gensler, Gardiner & Theobald
Manufacturers:: Deadgood, Hay, Knoll, Muuto, Your Workspace, Tables for Business

Client Brief

McCann Worldgroup brought together 11 of its agencies under one roof, relocating to a single site next to Liverpool Street Station in London. With 1,200 people heading to a new workspace, Hunters was hired to create a single, collaborative space that would spark better collaboration between agencies and create opportunities for people from different departments to share ideas.

The design was inspired by Regency British architect Sir John Soane, who was known for his bold use of light, space and classical experimentation as well as being the architect behind Bank of England and Dulwich Picture Gallery. The brief from the start was to interpret this spirit for a modern creative agency. The result was an eclectic, bold and thoughtful scheme filled with surprise and curiosity.

Design Approach

Our role was to bring this vision to life through carefully selected, customised, and sometimes completely bespoke furniture, from executive suites and breakout zones to locker systems and AV-integrated meeting rooms.

Working closely with Gensler, Gardiner & Theobald, and key suppliers like Knoll, we crafted an environment full of personality, function and flexibility. We focused on a delicate balance between individual and collective workspaces.

The Great Hall is a striking atrium space, whilst the Winter Garden creates an inviting food and beverage area. There are high and low benching zones for collaborative work, cellular offices for focus, and concentration rooms featuring acoustic walls. The reading room adds a sense of calm and a nod to the intellectual character of the agencies.

Furniture was heavily bespoke, designed to suit both AV integration and the highly specific needs of each department. For executive offices, we upped the luxury and created a catalogue of curated furniture options for the senior team to select from. For agile working, nearly 1,500 Your Workspace Simplicity Connected Lockers were installed, fitted with USB chargers, smart access via card or app, and personalised graphics inspired by famous artworks. These were managed in real-time by the facilities team, giving full control over use and access.

Challenges & Results

No major project comes without its challenges. From an early flood, to utility complications, and all unfolding during the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a difficult situation to manage. But thanks to proactive value engineering, creative problem-solving and close collaboration with the project team, we kept things on track and on budget.

The end result is a stunning, high-performing creative HQ that reflects the quirk, character and ambition of McCann. The client embraced the off-the-wall thinking from day one, and the finished product stays true to the original vision: surprising and social.