R1 R&R Sept '16 52 cc

Interior Refurbishment
Cream of the crop
The UK headquarters of much-loved digital print and design business MOO has returned to EC1, just 500m from where the
business started out ten years ago, and in the heart of London’s original 18th Century printing district.
20 Farringdon Road now houses all
central London-based employees in a
35,000 square foot space that has been
designed to accommodate MOO's long-term
growth plans as the company enters its 10th
year.
The design of the office has been of
paramount importance to this print business
that operates at the intersection of technology
and design. As a visual reminder that paper is
at the heart of MOO’s business, a central
feature is a 60-metre-long paper installation
suspended from the ceiling along the main
spine of the office.
Created solely by MOO’s in-house product
team, the feature is constructed from over 500
panels of beautifully crafted Colour Plan paper.
The rectangular panels were milled in the UK
by long term MOO partner G F Smith. At
1600gsm thick and in 26 different tones, the
paper creates a unique rainbow effect focal
point in the space.
MOO’s love of design also shines through in
the special attention that has been paid to the
abundance of soft seating areas, break-out
spaces and meeting rooms. Creating an
environment that would fuel collaboration
was also a priority, so the office flows across a
single floor, enabling all the company’s diverse
teams to co-work across the generous lateral
space.
The refit took just 32 weeks to complete,
thanks to MOO’s build contractor, Peldon Rose
and the expert interior design eye of longterm
MOO design collaborator, Trifle Creative.
“It's great to be back in our old
neighbourhood, almost 10 years after MOO
started out here,” said Richard Moross, MOO
Founder and CEO. “Clerkenwell and
Farringdon have a rich print history, but the
neighbourhood also connects the design and
technology industries of EC1 and EC2, making
us feel very much at home in the middle of it
all.
“As a values-led business we needed an HQ
that reflected our beliefs. We jumped at the
chance to put our unique mark on the space,
something only made possible by a lot of hard
work, attention to detail and creativity from
our contractors, creative partners, internal
design team and all of those who were
involved in the project.”
MOO operates globally, employing 400 people
and serves more than 190 countries across six
locations in the US and the UK.
Key facts:
• Entire space is 121 metres long and 40
metres wide (or the equivalent of 3 Olympicsized
swimming pools).
• 25 styles of light fittings have been used,
mostly LEDs but also bespoke pendant lights,
including some by British designer Tom
Dixon.
• The space has two kitchens, as well as a
functioning coffee bar and a circular private
dining room.
• MOO has collaborated with Supermundane,
whose mesmerising signature illustrative
style is featured on one of the walls.
• All desk chairs are by Herman Miller, while
Trifle commissioned a range of bespoke
pieces including mobile whiteboards, a long
concrete reception desk, layout and storage
units and communal central tables and
benches.
• Crittall Windows have been used to separate
the meeting rooms. Renowned for their
galvanised steel window frames
synonymous with the Modernist movement,
they enhance the industrial feel of the space,
while ensuring meeting rooms remain
flooded with light.
The rainbow spine is an eye-catching feature
‘Courier’ - one of the meeting rooms
36 Refurb retrofit
magazine
Sep/Oct 2016 R1